Yankees vs. Red Sox final score, results: Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm Jr. help New York hold on to force decisive rivalry matchup

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Facing elimination, the New York Yankees lost a lead twice on Wednesday night. But each time the Boston Red Sox fought back into Game 2, the defending American League champions responded.

Ben Rice’s two-run home run got Yankee Stadium going in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card series, but it was Austin Wells’ eighth-inning single and Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s following slide into home that became the difference in a win-or-go-home night for New York. With a 4-3 win over the Red Sox, the Yankees forced Game 3 of the series. Thursday’s victor will advance to the ALDS against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Garrett Crochet put on an ace-level show for Boston in Game 1, but the Red Sox weren’t as fortunate with their pitching in Game 2. Starter Brayan Bello went just 2.1 innings, allowing a home run to Rice before Alex Cora burned through six additional arms the rest of the way. While the Red Sox did put up a fight on the road again — Trevor Story had all three of Boston’s RBIs with a two-run single and a solo home run — they couldn’t quite eliminate their rival.

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Carlos Rodon went six innings for New York, allowing three runs while striking out six. But on this evening in the Bronx, the bigger key was the Yankees’ bullpen escaping jams, a much-needed hit from Wells and even a run-saving dive from Chisholm at second base in the seventh inning.

New York has lived to see another day. And what could be better than Red Sox vs. Yankees with their seasons on the line? Buckle up for Thursday night, when Alex Cora and Aaron Boone will be willing to push any buttons necessary to get a win.

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights from Yankees vs. Red Sox in Game 2 of the 2025 American League Wild Card Series. Here’s how New York held on to even the series. 

Yankees vs. Red Sox score

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Yankees vs. Red Sox updates, highlights from AL Wild Card Game 2

START SPREADING THE NEWS
GAME THREE TOMORROW NIGHT#POSTSEASON pic.twitter.com/5rc7ncH9QE

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

8:56 p.m. — David Bednar is in for the save opportunity, able to send the Yankees to Game 3. He strikes out Wilyer Abreu to start the ninth.

End of eighth inning: Yankees 4, Red Sox 3

8:53 p.m. — The Yankees couldn’t quite get an insurance run home. Despite another single from Volpe, and a walk from McMahon to load the bases, Payton Tolle comes in to pitch for Boston and escapes with no further damage. Still, the Yankees take a one-run lead into the ninth inning, able to force a decisive Game 3 with just three outs.

Yankees 4, Red Sox 3

8:44 p.m. RBI SINGLE — With Whitlock remaining in for Boston, the Yankees pounce to take the lead with two outs. Chisholm walked, then Wells sends a single into right field that allows Chisholm to round the bases and dive home ahead of the tag.

New York takes a 4-3 advantage, facing elimination.

IT WAS FAIR, I WAS THERE
I REMEMBER IT ALL TOO WELLS#POSTSEASON pic.twitter.com/GJlqcFb0cz

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

Jazz Chisholm Jr. JUST beat the tag #Postseason pic.twitter.com/YYGn1mUw8m

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

8:32 p.m. — On a comebacker to the mound, Williams turns to second base and finds Volpe for one out, and the shortstop makes a sweet play by landing, then firing a throw to first for a double-play. Williams then gets Narvaez swinging, ending Boston’s threat.

8:29 p.m. — Devin Williams is in for the Yankees. He allows a leadoff single to Bregman, who represents the go-ahead run at first base. 

End of seventh inning: Yankees 3, Red Sox 3

8:22 p.m. — Whitlock allowed a double to Trent Grisham, but otherwise keeps the Yankees quiet. McMahon and Judge struck out, and we are now going to the eighth in a 3-3 game.

8:18 p.m. — Garrett Whitlock is now Boston’s sixth pitcher of the night, coming in for the bottom of the seventh. One has to wonder how the heavy bullpen workload will affect the Red Sox for a potential Game 3 tomorrow, but for now, the focus remains on pulling out a tight Game 2 and eliminating New York. Aroldis Chapman is also getting loose in the bullpen.

8:12 p.m. — Fernando Cruz is fired up. The reliever escapes a massive jam, but Story nearly made this game a lot different; his flyout to deep center field is hauled in by Grisham. The Yankees keep it tied, getting out of the frame without Rodon’s runners scoring.

Fernando Cruz is FIRED UP 😳#POSTSEASON https://t.co/wRwlkNbmM9 pic.twitter.com/dkk3MLed5D

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

The @Yankees escape a bases-loaded jam #Postseason pic.twitter.com/mtehTO4Ih0

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

8:09 p.m. — Here’s the situation with Story returning to the plate: bases loaded, two outs in the top of the seventh against Cruz, in a tie Game 2 in the Wild Card Series. An infield single allowed Yoshida to get to first base after Jazz Chisholm Jr. kept the ball in the infield on a nice stop. Can story come through for Boston yet again?

Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s diving stop ended up saving a run 👀#Postseason pic.twitter.com/2oVTlLD8kw

— MLB (@MLB) October 2, 2025

8:01 p.m. — Boone left Rodon out there for the top of the seventh, but he began to unravel. He walks Eaton before hitting Duran with a pitch, allowing two quick baserunners. That’s it for Rodon, who finishes with 6.0 innings and three runs, three walks and six strikeouts.

Fernando Cruz enters in a leverage spot, with two runners on and nobody out. 

End of sixth inning: Yankees 3, Red Sox 3

7:59 p.m. — Kelly strikes out Volpe, ending the Yankees’ threat. We head to the seventh in a tied Game 2, with Boston needing a win to head to the ALDS. If New York can’t get its bats going, it could see its season soon come to an end.

7:52 p.m. — The Yankees are threatening, prompting Alex Cora to make another pitching change. Right-hander Zack Kelly comes in for Matz after singles from Ben Rice and Austin Wells, but there are two outs. Can Anthony Volpe come through in a tied game?

7:46 p.m. — Matz, a former starter for the Mets, Blue Jays and Cardinals, remains in for the Red Sox in the bottom of the sixth.

7:45 p.m. — Boone came to the mound to talk with his starter, but Rodon seemed to have convinced his manager to stay in. That worked out, as the left-hander walked Alex Bregman, but then got a pop-up and a double play. Rodon is at 83 pitches in his three-run outing so far.

Yankees 3, Red Sox 3

7:40 p.m.  HOME RUN — What a night for Trevor Story. His has all three RBIs for Boston, sending a 2-0 fastball over the fence in left field for a solo homer. Rodon has struggled against Story tonight, but otherwise has been effective. Will Aaron Boone leave him in?

Either way, the Red Sox have crawled back in this game once again.

You’ve heard this Story before

TS10 ties the game for the second time tonight! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/1vhiJOuAaV

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025

End of fifth inning: Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

7:34 p.m. — Steven Matz comes in to face Bellinger, getting him to ground out to third. But New York has the lead in Game 2.

Yankees 3, Red Sox 2

7:31 p.m. RBI SINGLE — The Yankees are back on top, and it comes on a critical drop from Jarren Duran. It’s ruled a hit though, as Aaron Judge lined a ball into left field, and Duran had a read on it and even got his glove on the ball as he dove. Instead, it falls onto the ground, allowing Trent Grisham to score.

It’s a crucial mistake for Duran, not able to squeeze the ball in his glove, while the Yankees are still alive.

A JARREN DURAN DROP SCORES A NY RUN 😳pic.twitter.com/4nHnwxodLy

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 1, 2025

7:22 p.m. — Justin Slaten takes over for Wilson on the mound for Boston.

7:21 p.m. — Rodon has bounced back well after the trouble in the third. He sends the Red Sox down 1-2-3 again, striking out Rafaela. He has 70 pitches through five innings.

End of fourth inning: Yankees 2, Red Sox 2

7:15 p.m. — Wilson remained the pitcher for Boston in the bottom of the fourth, and the Yankees can’t get anything going. Stanton, Chisholm and Wells went down in order. We’re onto the fifth in a tied game, and just one run for Boston could send them to the ALDS.

7:07 p.m. — The Red Sox are already in their bullpen, but Rodon remains on the mound for New York. He allowed a single to Nate Eaton, but gets out of the fourth with no other issues. Rodon is up to five strikeouts.

End of third inning: Yankees 2, Red Sox 2

6:58 p.m. — Cora’s decision to put in Wilson pays off. He gets Bellinger to fly out, then Rice to line out in two lefty-lefty matchups. Despite McMahon and Judge converting a double-steal, the Yankees come up empty in the bottom of the third.

6:51 p.m. — It was a quick night for Brayan Bello. He makes it through just 2.1 innings, allowing two runs, before Alex Cora goes to his bullpen. The lefty Justin Wilson comes in to face Cody Bellinger with two on and one out, following hits from Ryan McMahon and Aaron Judge.

6:45 p.m. — New York’s defense comes through at a good time, as Volpe and Chisholm turn a nice double-play to end the threat. Rodon gets out with two runs allowed, but it’s a new ballgame at 2-2.

Yankees 2, Red Sox 2

6:43 p.m. TWO-RUN SINGLE — Boston’s offense is alive. The Red Sox loaded the bases with a Duran single, a Rafaela walk and a sacrifice bunt from Sogard, putting Rodon in a jam. While he got one strikeout, Trevor Story then comes through with a hit up the middle, scoring to runners.

We are now tied, as the Yankees have lost their advantage.

Turn the page 📖

Trevor Story ties it in Game 2! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/IVsVArFaep

— MLB (@MLB) October 1, 2025

End of second inning: Yankees 2, Red Sox 0

6:34 p.m. — Austin Wells walked, but Anthony Volpe ends the second inning by grounding into a double-play. Rodon will go back to work after a scoreless frame.

6:29 p.m. — After Max Fried had a nice outing in Game 1, despite the loss, Carlos Rodon is also cruising to begin the postseason. He strikes out Nate Eaton on three pitches to send Boston down 1-2-3 in the top of the second.

End of first inning: Yankees 2, Red Sox 0

6:25 p.m. — Bello gets Stanton to ground out, ending the first inning. Rice’s home run puts the Yankees up first, though.

Yankees 2, Red Sox 0

6:22 p.m. HOME RUN — Ben Rice isn’t ready for the Yankees to go home yet. He swats a two-run shot over the porch in right field off Bello, and New York strikes first. Rodon has a 2-0 lead to work with.

YANKEES UP EARLY 🔥pic.twitter.com/2PFsf9Ciux

— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 1, 2025

6:15 p.m. — Alex Bregman flies out to left, and it’s a 1-2-3 top of the first for Rodon. 

6:14 p.m. — Rodon is off to an excellent start tonight. He strikes out Refsnyder and Trevor Story, moving quickly.

6:09 p.m. — Rob Refsnyder has stepped in. Yankee Stadium is ready. Will the Yankees go home tonight, or force Game 3 with Carlos Rodon on the mound?

Pregame

5:55 p.m. — Boston is 5-0 in series-clinching games under Alex Cora, per NESN. Will that continue tonight?

5:52 p.m. — Carlos Rodon will be on the bump with the Yankees’ season on the line. Here’s their Game 2 lineup, with Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm Jr. starting:

Game 2 Tonight. #RepBX pic.twitter.com/dCDaXBkWSd

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) October 1, 2025

5:50 p.m. — With a win tonight, the Red Sox will head to the ALDS to face the Blue Jays. Here’s how they’ll line up in Game 2, with Brayan Bello on the mound. 

More work to do. pic.twitter.com/u86O3PhsYO

— Red Sox (@RedSox) October 1, 2025

MORE RED SOX-YANKEES:

Where to watch Yankees vs. Red Sox tonight

Yankees vs. Red Sox start time

• Date: Wednesday, October 1
• Time: 6 p.m. ET

Game 2 of Yankees vs. Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series will begin at 6 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York. 

What channel is Yankees vs. Red Sox on today?

New York vs. Boston in the AL Wild Card round will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with Karl Ravech, David Cone, Eduardo Perez and Buster Olney live from Yankee Stadium for the network.

You can also stream MLB Wild Card games live with the new ESPN app or on Fubo.

MLB playoff schedule 2025