Justin Turner Does Something Not Done in Nearly 50 Years in Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees Rivalry History

The Boston Red Sox pounded the New York Yankees, 15-5, on Friday night at Fenway Park. Justin Turner hit two home runs to join a special place in rivalry history.

The Boston Red Sox pounded the New York Yankees, 15-5, on Friday night in the first game of a three-game series at Fenway Park.

It was a needed win for the Red Sox, who are now back to .500 at 35-35.

The Sox scored two runs in each of the first two innings then added six runs in the third to help put the game out of reach early.

Every Red Sox starter but one had a hit in the lopsided affair but the catalyst was veteran Justin Turner, who went 3-5 with three runs scored and six RBI in the win. He also hit two home runs in the win and joined a special place in the storied rivalry's history.

Per ESPN Stats & Info:

Justin Turner is the 4th player in the history of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry with 6 RBI in the first 3 innings of a game. He joins: 

- Graig Nettles (1976) 

- Yogi Berra (1957) 

- Walt Dropo (1950) 

h/t @EliasSports

Justin Turner is the 4th player in the history of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry with 6 RBI in the first 3 innings of a game.

He joins:

- Graig Nettles (1976)
- Yogi Berra (1957)
- Walt Dropo (1950)

h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/P35KXTZgsu

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2023

Turner has been a welcome presence to the Red Sox this year, both for his productivity and his leadership. He's now hitting .278 this season with 10 homers and 36 RBI. He's added three stolen bases and posted an .807 OPS.

For his career, he's a .288 hitter across 15 seasons with the Orioles, Mets, Dodgers and Red Sox. He helped the Dodgers win the 2020 World Series.

While the Red Sox are not out of it, should they decide to sell this trade deadline, he'd likely be a coveted trade deadline piece.

The Red Sox and Yankees play again Saturday at 7:15 p.m. ET.

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