BOSTON — If Alex Verdugo was understating what a return to Fenway Park meant to him, his run around the bases in the first inning Friday night said it all.
Verdugo was initially upset but ultimately pleased when the Red Sox traded him to the Yankees, and six months later he hit the first pitch against his former team for a two-run homer.
Verdugo was booed by the home crowd when he came up to bat, but he enjoyed an emphatic home run trot, pounding his chest, flexing his muscles and shouting into the Yankees dugout.
That was just the beginning of a great night for Verdugo, who led the Yankees to an 8-1 victory over the Red Sox in front of a crowd of 35,024.
In a series that has been circled on the calendar for months, Verdugo went 3-for-5 with one home run, one double and four RBIs.
He said before the game that his first trip to Fenway Park was “special” and “weird,” but that his performance made it a memorable one.
“I feel like this trade was made for a reason,” Verdugo said Friday afternoon. “Looking back, it’s been good for me.”
His chances of victory also improved as the Yankees (50-22) won for the 13th time in their last 16 games to solidify their position atop the American League East.
Luis Gil continued his breakout season by allowing just one run over five innings despite throwing a career-high 104 pitches on a night when his control wasn’t particularly sharp.
But he had plenty of scoring support, mainly thanks to Verdugo.
Verdugo hit a 406-foot extra-base hit to center field off Brian Bello in the bottom of the first inning, then hit an RBI double off the Green Monster in the bottom of the fifth to extend the Yankees’ lead to 4-1.
Then in the ninth, Jose Trevino hit a home run, Aaron Judge hit an RBI double, and then Verdugo singled to right field to make the score 8-1.
By the end of the night, every Yankees fan in the stadium was yelling at Verdugo in what has become his signature celebration.
After a four-year stint with the Red Sox (35-35) where he appeared to wear out his welcome at the end of it, Verdugo was a perfect fit for the Yankees both on the field and in the clubhouse.
“I’m able to be myself,” Verdugo said, “and show my teammates. They’ve played against me for years and they know what I bring to the table when I play between the lines. Now they see it all. I think they really like the energy I bring.”
“I am 100 percent me.”
Immediately after the trade was completed, manager Aaron Boone made it clear to Verdugo that he wanted the outfielder to join the team and show off his potential.
Far from shying away from his individuality, the Yankees believed it was something they lacked.
“We have standards and expectations,” Boone said, “but at the same time, we want you to be you.”
“He’s just so funny and a little edgy. He fits in right away and really comes into his own.”
After seeing Verdugo perform like he did Friday on multiple occasions during his time with the Red Sox, Boone, Judge and Anthony Rizzo campaigned for the Yankees to acquire him.
Knowing that has helped Verdugo settle in quickly and make an impact both offensively and defensively so far.
But shortly after the trade, Verdugo made his first media appearance as a Yankee and caused a bit of a stir by saying Boone was defending his players. “You don’t criticize the players, you defend them,” Verdugo said.
This was seen by many as a jab at Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who benched Verdugo twice last season for a lack of effort and for arriving late before games.
But on Friday, Verdugo and Cora said they had put their problems in the past.
“Dugie’s a good kid,” Cora said. “I think people make a big deal out of it. … We have a good relationship.”
Verdugo, who hugged Cora on the field during batting practice, echoed similar sentiments and criticized the media for overstating the incident.
“I think we just had a disagreement over something minor, and that’s OK,” Verdugo said. “We don’t always agree with each other, but I have nothing but respect for AC.”
“It’s a little tiresome to talk about AC while talking about the Red Sox, considering how it ended. We’re still friends.”
