Max Fried was cruising for the Yankees in Game 1 of the American League Wild series against the Red Sox . The ace returned for the seventh and got one out before Aaron Boone emerged from the dugout to go replace Fried with Luke Weaver.

Weaver — who has struggled since his return from the injured list in June — gave up two earned runs on as many hits and Boone was forced to use five relievers in total in the 3-1 loss to Boston .

After the game , Boone defended his decision to pull Fried when he did.

“They pressured him pretty good in the fourth, fifth, six, had a couple baserunners each inning,” he told reporters . “I felt like he had to work pretty hard.

“I felt like his command was not as good those final few,” Boone later added . “He’s just making so many big pitches, a

See Full Page