Benched from the starting lineup once again as his finale approaches, Alex Rodriguez pinch hit and flied out in the seventh inning of the New York Yankees’ 9-4 comeback win against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night.
New York said Sunday that Rodriguez, a 41-year-old designated hitter with 696 home runs, will be released following today’s homestand opener against Tampa Bay.
Red Sox star David Ortiz limped off in the ninth inning after fouling a pitch off his right shin.
Chants of “We want A-Rod” echoed around the park at the start of the seventh.
He was greeted by loud boos when he stepped out of the dugout to face Matt Barnes. They were louder when he was announced and again when he trotted back to the dugout after his flyout to right field.
Rodriguez has just one start and eight at-bats in 17 games since July 22 as New York traded veterans and turned toward a youth movement. He had not appeared in a game since Tuesday last week.
Rookie Gary Sanchez had four hits, including his first major league home run. Didi Gregorius also homered for New York.
Tyler Clippard (1-0) pitched one inning for his first victory with the Yankees since being acquired from Arizona last week. Fernando Abad (1-6) was the loser.
CUBS 3, ANGELS 1
In Chicago, Jason Hammel won his career-best fifth straight start, pitching four-hit ball over six scoreless innings as Chicago beat Los Angeles for their season-high ninth straight win.
The major league-leading Cubs matched their longest streak since Aug. 6 to Aug. 15 last year and moved a season-best 30 games over .500 (71-41).
Hammel (12-5) struck out six, walked two and helped himself at the plate when he singled and scored in the fifth against Ricky Nolasco (4-9) to make it 2-0. Addison Russell made it 3-1 with a solo homer off J.C. Ramirez in the eighth. Dexter Fowler chipped in with two hits, including an RBI double.
Aroldis Chapman struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save in five chances since the Cubs got him in a trade with the New York Yankees last month.
GIANTS 1, MARLINS 0
In Miami, two days after Brandon Crawford battered Miami with seven hits, he homered in the fourth inning to help San Francisco win a series for the first time since the All-Star break.
Crawford tied an NL record with seven hits in the opener of the three-game set. In the finale, he put San Francisco ahead with his 11th homer leading off the fourth.
Jeff Samardzija (10-8) pitched 5-2/3 innings to best former Notre Dame teammate David Phelps (5-6). Four relievers completed a five-hitter. Santiago Casilla pitched around Ichiro Suzuki’s two-out double in the ninth, striking out J.T. Realmuto for his 26th save.
Suzuki singled and doubled to increase his career hits total to 3,002.
In other MLB action, it was:
‧ Phillies 6, Dodgers 2
‧ Athletics 1, Orioles 0
‧ Nationals 7, Indians 4
‧ Padres 4, Pirates 0
‧ Blue Jays 7, Rays 0
‧ Cardinals 3, Reds 2
‧ Rangers 5, Rockies
‧ Diamondbacks 3, Mets 2
‧ Brewers 4, Braves 3
‧ Royals 3, White Sox 2
‧ Mariners 3, Tigers 1
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