In a dramatic turn of events, Cody Bellinger showcased his clutch hitting ability on Thursday, delivering a pivotal two-run single in the seventh inning that propelled the Yankees to a 4-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. This win not only marked a successful sweep at Fenway Park but also marked a significant moment for Bellinger, who had only registered one career pinch-hit RBI prior to this game.

After starting the game on the bench, Bellinger was called upon with the bases loaded and the Yankees trailing by one run. Facing righty reliever Greg Weissert, he seized the moment, effectively tripling his RBI total in a high-pressure situation. “It’s a hard thing to do,” Bellinger reflected after the game. “But we got a bunch of guys in here, a lot of success this year [pinch hitting] and I just want to continue doing that. You really just prepare as much as you can and when your name’s called, I stick within myself and my plan and take my swing.”

Yankees manager Aaron Boone praised Bellinger’s performance, noting, “I mean, that’s Cody. He’s getting paid handsomely because he’s good at that. Just a really good at-bat, smoking the ball the other way and putting us in a great spot. He’s a great player, simple as that.” Bellinger’s clutch hit not only secured the win but also helped rookie Cam Schlittler earn his first victory in his hometown start.

On the injury front, Gerrit Cole made his second rehab start with High-A Hudson Valley, throwing 52 pitches over 4 ¹/₃ innings while allowing two runs and striking out four. Cole, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, expressed optimism about his recovery, stating, “[My arm] is feeling good. It’s responding good to all the new stimulus, so we’ll keep plugging away.” Meanwhile, Carlos Rodón is set to make his first rehab start on Friday, with Boone indicating that Rodón is “closer” to returning than Cole.

In other news, shortstop Anthony Volpe took a break from his rehab assignment at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre but is expected to return to the field for nine innings this weekend. Boone declined to confirm whether Volpe would be activated for the upcoming series against the Rangers but noted, “He’s getting close. As this weekend unfolds, we’ll get a better idea.”

Beyond the field, several Yankees players, including Ben Rice and Schlittler, visited Boston Children’s Hospital, where they met young patients, including Walker, a 7-year-old awaiting a heart transplant. The Yankees hung a sign in their clubhouse that read, “Play like a [heart] warrior today,” a tribute to the young fan’s spirit.

In a final note, Boone revealed that the league informed him that Ryan Yarbrough’s balk call against the Angels last Thursday was incorrect, which led to Boone’s ejection for arguing the call. Additionally, the Savannah Bananas game originally scheduled for Saturday at Yankee Stadium has been moved to Friday at 7:30 p.m. due to potential inclement weather.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.