Yankees VS Red Sox, 9-6, for 17-1 surge

Brett Gardner capped a slump-busting performance with a go-ahead, two-run triple off Craig Kimbrel in the eighth inning, Aaron Judge followed with a homer and the New York Yankees rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-6 Wednesday night for their 17th victory in 18 games.

He had three hits and three RBIs as New York won its eighth straight overall and 11th in a row at home.

The Yankees’ speedy leadoff man had batted .147 without an extra-base hit over his previous 19 games, but Boone was confident Gardner would contribute soon based on his exit velocities and other internal metrics.

New York (26-10) broke a tie with Boston for first place in the AL East and has sole possession of the best record in the majors for the first time since July 27, 2012.

The Yankees had walk-off wins in three of their previous five home games.

He admired the shot from home plate, then thumped his chest after rounding third base during a leisurely home run trot.

Giancarlo Stanton drove in two with a go-ahead double off Rick Porcello in the third inning a day after hitting a pair of solo homers in a 3-2 Yankees victory.

It’s the first time Stanton has RBIs in consecutive games this season, and he improved to 10 for 19 with seven RBIs against Boston during his first season in pinstripes.

Porcello allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings his first time giving up three or more runs this season.

It was the first time Boston and New York met with the majors’ two best records since 2002, per the Elias Sports Bureau.