Boston places RHP Buchholz on 15-day DL

Boston Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz has left his start against the New York Yankees in the third inning with tightness in his throwing elbow. After a brief consultation with manager John Farrell and the trainer, Buchholz walked off the field with runners at second and third and one out.

The Red Sox avoided a worst-case scenario with Clay Buchholz when they learned that the veteran right-hander was diagnosed with a strained flexor muscle in his right elbow, but importantly, no damage to his ligament. Joe Girardi has rarely let his starters go 100+ pitches this year, so in came Justin Wilson to face Betts with two outs.

Yankees (7): “Brian McCann powered the Yankees to their first walk-off win of the season on Friday with a three-run homer”.

Indeed, Buchholz has been nothing less than one of the majors’ best pitchers since the beginning of May, posting a 2.54 ERA in his last 10 starts entering last night and stringing together the kind of outings that tantalize everyone into believing he’s a genuine top-of-the-rotation pitcher.

There’s no place like Fenway Park to begin testing a rookie’s resolve. He is 14-for-43 over that span. If his tryout goes well, Refsnyder could be in for much more playing time going forward.

Yankees first. Ellsbury flied out to center fielder Betts. Sandoval’s defensive struggles at the hot corner may move him over to first base sooner rather than later and I like the idea of Holt taking over the left side of the infield along with Bogaerts.

Walker’s home run, his seventh, extended the Pirates’ lead to 5-2 in the fourth inning. “He called (catcher) Sandy (Leon) out right after the last pitch he threw and Sandy waved to the dugout”. One pitch later, Buchholz was gone. Ross Jr. pitching. Drew safe at first on Napoli’s error.

In the eighth Mike Napoli doubled to right with two men out to bring up De Aza. Rodriguez walked for another run. Pineda turned in another great start, going 6.1 innings and allowing only one run on seven hits.

Texas Rangers designated hitter Prince Fielder and third baseman Adrian Beltre hit back-to-back home runs as the Rangers posted a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. The Yankees have won all four 2015 meetings at Fenway, where they’ve taken the last five in a row and eight of nine.

Mark Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth for his National League-leading 29th save in 30 opportunities. The games are pretty evenly split between eight games this afternoon and another seven starting at 7:15 PM ET tonight or later.

Rays starter Erasmo Ramirez, who came in with the American League’s second-best ERA since April 19 at 2.12, was in control as well.

CLEVELAND (AP) – Danny Salazar scattered five hits while allowing an unearned run in 8 2/3 innings and the Cleveland Indians used a four-run sixth inning to beat the Oakland Athletics. Friday was no different as Alex Rodriguez drove in two runs plus hit a home run for the Yankees fifth straight win over the Red Sox.