In the top of that inning, Anthony Volpe, the Yankees’ automatic runner, was thrown out trying to steal third base with nobody out. He was initially ruled safe at third, but the call was overturned on a challenge from Boston.

Lugo (3-5, 3.46 ERA) has generated solid top-line results in his second season as a Royal, but there may be trouble lurking under the hood, as he has a 5.21 xERA and 4.86 FIP.

Giancarlo Stanton was not activated before Friday night’s series opener in Boston, despite seemingly having wrapped up his rehab assignment earlier this week.

The Yankees defeat the Royals 1-0 on Thursday to complete the sweep. ESPN BET Sportsbook is owned and operated by PENN Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries ('PENN'). ESPN BET is available in states where PENN is licensed to offer sports wagering.

It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But it was baseball at its rawest, and the Yankees walked away with a sweep and a 42-25 record.

The error proved costly. The Yankees held on for a 1-0 victory and swept the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.