Mayer’s home run is the lone positive for Boston so far in this game. The Sox trail 8-1 in the sixth inning. The Yankees pounded starter Walker Buehler for seven runs (five earned), seven hits, two homers and two walks in the first two innings.

The Boston Red Sox will meet the New York Yankees in the first of a three-game weekend series on Friday. New York (38-23) leads the American League East, while Boston (30-34) is fourth in the division.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a two-out, three-run homer in a five-run first inning off Walker Buehler Friday night for the host New York Yankees, who raced out to a big lead and earned a 9-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the first meeting of the season between the rivals.