Rookie Tolle throws 7 scoreless innings in Red Sox 6-1 win

Boston Red Sox rookie pitcher Payton Tolle delivered a dominant performance while battling illness, taking a perfect game into the sixth inning and leading his team to a 6-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on Friday night. The 23-year-old left-hander allowed just one hit and two walks over seven scoreless innings, striking out seven batters.

Tolle retired the first 16 Yankees hitters he faced before Spencer Jones lined a one-out single to left field in the sixth inning, ending the perfect game and no-hit bid. He left the mound after the seventh inning to a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd. Afterward, Tolle revealed he had woken up Friday morning with body aches and a fever but was determined to make his scheduled start. He said he took cold medicine and vitamins before the game, which he credited with helping him push through.

The rookie admitted he was aware of the potential perfect game early, joking that any pitcher who claims otherwise is not being truthful. With his velocity slightly diminished due to not feeling well, Tolle relied heavily on a sharp curveball to keep the Yankees off balance, recording 11 swings-and-misses among his 88 pitches.