Opening up the first of a three-game set on Friday, the New York Yankees got the early jump on their hosts, the Boston Red Sox, thanks to a familiar face at Fenway Park. Alex Verdugo, who played four seasons for Boston, slugged the first pitch he saw for a two-run blast - an early indication of what would be an 8-1 win for the Yankees. This triumph improved New York's record to 50-22, making them the first Club to 50 wins this season, and marking the team's sixth-best start at this juncture.