The New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox 17-13 on Saturday, making the first MLB game in Europe a historically high scoring affair.
DJ LeMahieu of the Yankees scored a team high five RBI's on four hits in London, while Michael Chavis of the Red Sox had six RBI's and two home runs.
Saturday's game kicked off a short two-game "London Series" between the teams, as the biggest rivalry in baseball headed across the pond.
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New York Yankees players warm up before a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. Major League Baseball makes its European debut game today at London Stadium.((AP Photo/Tim Ireland))
“The eyeballs that are on this over here, with the best rivalry in our sport, hopefully that’s something that can contribute,” Yankees Manager Aaron Boone told the Guardian. “A lot of the families are here, and yesterday a lot of our guys got to go out and experience things. But it is a business trip. We’re playing the Sox and that does tend to get your motor running hot.”
The game took place at London Stadium, which was originally named Olympic Stadium when it opened prior to the Summer Olympics in 2012. The 60,000 capacity stadium is used to holding soccer events, so crews had to transform the pitch into a baseball field.
The game was expected to be sold out and took place nearly 12 years after the National Football League (NFL) played their first game across the pond. Fans showed up to the stadium earlier today, catching part of batting practice.
Fans cheer during batting practice before a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. Major League Baseball makes its European debut today at London Stadium.((AP Photo/Tim Ireland))
Rick Porcello, the scheduled starting pitcher for the Red Sox went against Masahiro Tanaka of the Yankees. Both pitchers lasted less than two thirds of an inning after each team scored six runs in the first inning. Porcello talked about seeing some of London's attractions before he was set to play.
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“We went to Camden Market,” said Porcello. “Took a ride over to Shoreditch and a couple of other places. Piccadilly Circus. Just went around, hopped in some cabs and tried to enjoy the culture and see and learn as much as I could.”
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The Red Sox entered the game as the defending World Series champions and are now 10 games behind the division-leading Yankees.
Aaron Hicks hit his first major league home run as the Yankees scored six runs in the first inning and ended Porcello's day after just one third of an inning.
The Red Sox responded by also scoring six runs in the first, led by a three run home run from Chavis. Red Sox pitcher Tanaka was also pulled after just two thirds of an inning.
Both teams are scheduled to return to London Stadium tomorrow for round two of the "London Series".