Final
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Red Sox-Yankees Preview

May 7, 2016 - 11:17 PM There were no outward displays like in the series opener, but Boston's frustrations continued in its most recent game at Yankee Stadium.

Steven Wright will try to help the Red Sox avoid their first three-game sweep in the Bronx in four seasons in Sunday night's series finale against the New York Yankees.

Boston manager John Farrell had to restrain an incensed David Ortiz on Friday after the slugger took issue with umpire Ron Kulpa's strike zone in the ninth inning. Both were tossed in a 3-2 loss, and Farrell might get suspended for failing to leave the dugout following his ejection.

"Great finish to a game," he said. "I didn't want to miss it."

The anger subsided Saturday but the result was even more lopsided with the Yankees claiming an 8-2 victory. Didi Gregorius hit a three-run double in the fourth inning as New York (11-17) won back-to-back games for only the second time since April 12.

The Yankees' other win streak was April 22-23 - among four victories in their last five home games. The Red Sox (17-13) had won nine of 11 before heading to New York.

The Yankees will try to add to their successful stretch at home while claiming their first three-game sweep there against their rivals since Oct. 1-3, 2012. They can also avenge last weekend's three-game sweep at Fenway Park.

"Taking two games out of three right now against them, it feels good," New York outfielder Carlos Beltran told MLB's official website. "(Sunday), we have a chance to take three out of three. That's important for us."

Wright (2-3, 1.67 ERA) just missed pitching in that series, instead drawing the club's series opener against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. He yielded two runs in six innings in that game, but Jose Quintana outdueled him in a 4-1 defeat.

The knuckleballer has received a combined two runs of support in his three losses and 13 in his two victories.

Roger Clemens is the only other Red Sox pitcher in the last 100 years to allow two runs or less and six or fewer hits in eight straight starts - a streak that began for Wright on July 30.

"He's done everything we could've asked to get deep into games and low-run situations," manager John Farrell told MLB's official website. "And not just this year, this goes back to when he was in the rotation last year."

Wright is 1-1 with a 0.69 ERA in two career starts against New York and registered a 2-1 victory at Yankee Stadium in his only one last season Aug. 5. He also earned another win there while pitching the final five of a 19-inning game in April.

As in his matchup in August, Wright will be opposed by Luis Severino (0-4, 6.31 ERA). The Yankees have lost in each of the right-hander's last six starts dating to October, including five this season.

He was charged with all of Baltimore's runs in a 4-1 defeat Tuesday and made two errors in six innings. Severino has received just four runs of support this season.

The right-hander might need a strong outing soon with general manager Brian Cashman hinting that a trip to the minors could be in his future.

"If we feel that's what has to take place, that's definitely an avenue that's open," Cashman said.

Severino gave up two runs, two hits and walked none while striking out seven in his lone start against the Red Sox. Ortiz got a solo homer off him.

Yankees outfielder and former Red Sox player Jacoby Ellsbury remains day to day because of a strained muscle in his right hip. Manager Joe Girardi is hopeful he can avoid joining Alex Rodriguez and C.C. Sabathia on the disabled list.