Alex Cora Says Red Sox 'Learned a Lot' From Late-Season Sweep By Yankees

The version of the Boston Red Sox that took the field during Tuesday's 6-2 win over the New York Yankees in the American League Wild Card Game at Fenway Park looked much different than the one that was swept by its rivals in late September.

"We learned a lot last week," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters after the game. "I know a lot of people doubted us … but we learned a lot last week."

New York swept Boston in a three-game set from Sept. 24-26 while outscoring the Red Sox by 10 runs.

Nathan Eovaldi happened to start that first game in the September series and allowed seven earned runs without tallying a single strikeout in 2.2 innings of work.

He clearly learned something because he set the tone from the start Tuesday on his way to eight strikeouts in 5.1 innings. He allowed just a single run on an Anthony Rizzo solo homer and was in full command of all of his pitches throughout his showing.

It was far from a solo effort, as the bullpen combination of Ryan Brasier, Tanner Houck, Hansel Robles and Garrett Whitlock gave up just one run, while Kyle Schwarber and Xander Bogaerts each went deep on the offensive side.

Alex Verdugo had three late RBI to give the home team some insurance runs, and the Green Monster even helped out by keeping two blasts from Giancarlo Stanton inside the park.

Bogaerts threw Aaron Judge out at the plate on the second one to cut short any realistic comeback hopes for the Yankees.

Yet the story was largely Eovaldi out-pitching his counterpart, Gerrit Cole. Cole didn't record a single out in the third inning before he was pulled after giving up the long balls to Schwarber and Bogaerts. It was far from the effort the Yankees were looking for from their ace and allowed Boston to jump out to an early lead and never look back.

If they can do the same against the Tampa Bay Rays in the Division Series, the Red Sox may be in for a long October run.