NEW YORK — Red Sox rookie Marcelo Mayer made a trade with a Yankees fan after Friday’s game.
The 22-year-old rookie blasted his first big league home run 410 feet in the right-center field stands here at Yankee Stadium.
The young fan, who caught it, gave Mayer the ball in exchange for an autographed bat and another ball.
“So I’m thankful for that,” said Mayer who met with the fan outside the Red Sox clubhouse and took photos with him.
The Red Sox lost 9-6 to the Yankees in the first meeting between the rivals this season.
“It was a good feeling. Obviously it kind of sucks when we’re losing,” Mayer said. ” But it’s definitely a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Mayer connected on a 93.9 mph four-seam fastball that Yankees rookie starter Will Warren left down the middle of the plate in the fifth inning. The solo shot left his bat with a 103.3 mph exit velocity.
Mayer said about getting booed by Yankees fans, “It’s like music to your ears. Honestly, I didn’t really hear it just because I’m so focused on the game. But that’s pretty cool.”
Baseball America ranks Mayer No. 8 on its Top 100 list. He has gone 7-for-34 (.206) with a homer, two doubles, two RBIs, four runs, three walks and 10 strikeouts since Boston promoted him May 24.
He was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 Draft, becoming Boston’s highest draft selection since 1967 when it picked Mike Garman third overall.
The Red Sox fell behind 7-0 after two innings. Mayer made it 7-1 with his fifth inning blast.
“We made a game out of it,” manager Alex Cora said. “They had to bring (in setup man Fernando) Cruz and their closer in a game that we were down by a lot. So it’s not like it was a lost cause. He (Mayer) got us going. Put a good swing.”