Red Sox and Yankees games are notoriously long, but Friday’s was historical. The 6 hour, 49 minute affair (409 minutes) was the longest game in club history, by time. More importantly, it was a hard-fought Red Sox win.
For the Yankees, it was their longest-ever home game and the 2nd longest game in their club’s history behind a 7 hour contest on June 24, 1962 against the Tigers.
Boston has now won 6 of their last 7 extra-innings games against the Yankees dating back to 2010.
Previously, Boston’s longest regular season game was August 25, 2001, a 6 hours, 35 minute, 18 inning 7-8 loss to the Rangers. The longest Red Sox regular season game against the Yankees before Friday’s was 6 hours, 9 minutes on August 29, 1967. The Yankees won that game 4-3.
The Red Sox’ longest regular season 9-inning game by time was August 18, 2006 against the Yankees. That game clocked in at 4 hours, 45 minutes. The next three longest regular season 9-inning Red Sox games have also come versus New York on September 9, 2007, September 1, 2011, and April 25, 2009.
In terms of innings, Friday’s game was just the 11th in Red Sox history to go as many as 19 frames.
Friday’s game was the first extra-innings game in the American League this season.
According to Elias, the longest game by time in Major League history took 8 hours, 6 minutes and was played between the Brewers and White Sox on May 8, 1984.