New York @ Boston preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 7, 2012 ) NY Yankees 6, Boston 1

There are plenty of reasons why the New York Yankees are sitting comfortably atop the American League East while the Boston Red Sox are scraping to stay out of the division cellar. Despite blowing a five-run lead in Friday's opener of their four-game series, the Yankees regrouped with a late rally against Boston's bullpen to improve to 3-0 against the Red Sox this season. Sparked by Mark Teixeira's four RBIs, New York leads Boston by 8 1/2 games entering Saturday's day-night doubleheader.

Having already blown a nine-run lead at home to the Yankees earlier in the season, the Red Sox appeared poised for a stunning comeback of their own after having trailed by five runs before even coming to bat. Instead, Boston suffered its fourth consecutive loss and dropped below .500 (21-22) at Fenway Park. The one positive for the Red Sox was watching the offense come to life after managing a total of five runs in a three-game sweep at the hands of the Oakland Athletics.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX

PITCHING MATCHUP: Yankees RH Phil Hughes (9-6, 4.29 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (8-4, 4.42)

Hughes has overcome his early-season struggles by winning five of his last six starts, allowing two runs or fewer in each of the victories. He has gone eight innings in each of his last two outings, surrendering a total of two runs. Hughes has had his issues with the Red Sox, logging a 2-5 record and 6.65 ERA in 16 career appearances (eight starts). He was pounded in two starts at Fenway last year.

Doubront has struggled in his last two outings, getting battered by Toronto on June 25 and lasting only 4 1/3 innings in his last outing at Seattle. He limited the Mariners to one run on three hits but walked five and threw 103 pitches. He went six strong innings against the Yankees in April, handing a 9-1 lead to the bullpen only to watch New York storm back with 14 unanswered runs.

WALK-OFFS

1. Robinson Cano extended his RBI streak to nine games, two shy of the franchise record held by Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.

2. Boston 1B Adrian Gonzalez had three hits Friday to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.

3. New York's win Friday tied the all-time series at Fenway Park at 459-459-4.