Ex-Yankees pitchers dominate for Red Sox in ALDS Game 3 win over Rays

Boston Red Sox players spray water over Christian Vazquez after he hit a two-run walk-off home run during the thirteenth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 3 of a baseball American League Division Series, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021, in Boston. The Red Sox won 6-4.
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Talk about adding insult to injury.

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The Red Sox, who beat the Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game, rode a pair of ex-New York pitchers to a 6-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.

Nathan Eovaldi got the start for Boston and dominated on the mound, much like he did six days ago against the Yankees. After surrendering a two-run home run in the top of the first inning Sunday, Eovaldi shut down the Rays, striking out eight over five innings.

The 31-year-old Eovaldi, who pitched for the Yankees in 2015 and 2016, recored a career-best 195 strikeouts this season and earned his first All-Star Game nod.

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Later came Garrett Whitlock, the sixth of seven pitchers used Sunday by Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Whitlock pitched 1.1 shutout innings, striking out three and setting the stage for former Philadelphia Phillies prospect Nick Pivetta to pick up the win.

Yankees fans will remember that Whitlock was on the mound for the Red Sox when they closed out last week’s wild-card win.

The 25-year-old Whitlock has been a revelation this season for the Red Sox. Boston picked him up in December’s Rule 5 Draft from the Yankees, with Whitlock on the mend from Tommy John surgery.

Despite never pitching above Double-A before this season, Whitlock has been lights-out in the Red Sox bullpen, going 8-4 with a 1.99 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 72.1 innings pitched during the regular season.

Thanks to Whitlock and Eovaldi, the Red Sox can close out the ALDS with a win Monday at Fenway Park.

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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.

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