NEW YORK — The Red Sox picked up Mike Carp just before spring training in 2013, purchasing him from the Seattle Mariners after he was designated for assignment.

His addition drew little notice at the time, Carp having played part time for a succession of last-place teams.

But Carp got in 86 games for the Sox, collected 29 extra-base hits, and drove in 43 runs. His unexpected contributions helped the Red Sox win 97 games and then the World Series.

Carp lasted only one more season in the majors, never recapturing what he had here but leaving the game with a ring and a heck of a story to tell.

Most successful teams have a Mike Carp, that player who throws a career year into the mix. In Sandy Leon, the 2016 Red Sox may have another.

Leon drove in four more runs on Saturday, his three-run homer in the sixth inning sinking the Yankees as the Red Sox won their sixth straight, 5-2.

A 27-year-old catcher from Venezuela, Leon is 27 of 59 (.458) in 20 games with nine doubles, two home runs, and 13 RBIs. That coming from a player who hit .187 in his first four seasons in the majors with one home run and eight RBIs.

“Best hitter alive,’’ Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. said. “What else can you say? It’s fun to watch, it really is. He has worked hard.’’

Like Carp, Leon was designated for assignment (by the Washington Nationals) and the Red Sox paid cash for him during spring training in 2015. He ended up in 41 games and hit .184.

Leon made it back to the majors only because Ryan Hanigan strained his neck in early June and missed a month. Leon had a pinch-hit double in his first game and hasn’t stopped hitting since.

“Just trying to keep it simple, swing at strikes, and have a good at-bat every time,’’ Leon said.

Leon, a switch hitter, has a quick, compact swing and clearly is playing with confidence. He’s also not afraid to work deep into counts. But there’s really no explanation for what he is doing.

“It’s kind of crazy,’’ he said. “I know that. Hopefully it lasts.’’

Leon also worked well with lefthander Eduardo Rodriguez, who pitched seven innings and allowed one run in what was personally a crucial start.

Rodriguez (2-3) allowed one run on four hits with two walks and one strikeout in his first major league game since June 27 against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Rodriguez gave up nine runs on 11 hits in just 2⅔ innings in that game and was demoted to Triple A Pawtucket immediately afterward. His earned run average was 8.59.

In the time since, he has changed the position of his hands at the start of his delivery, moving them up to better hide what type of pitch he was preparing to throw.

Rodriguez also threw only a handful of changeups against the Yankees, relying more on his slider and a four-seam fastball that hit 96 miles per hour.

“Now I’m not thinking about tipping [pitches]. I’m throwing the ball right where I want it,’’ he said.

Rodriguez, 23, showed his talent as a rookie last season, going 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA. A return to form could be even bigger for the Sox than their recent trade for lefthander Drew Pomeranz.

“Clearly he got into a good rhythm. They were extremely aggressive,’’ Farrell said. “A lot of early outs. He was able to settle into a good comfortable level.’’

Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 2.01 earned run average in five career starts against the Yankees.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia (5-7) did not pitch poorly. Of the nine hits he allowed, only a handful were well struck. But the Red Sox picked their spots well against him.

Bryce Brentz reached on an error to start the third inning. Mookie Betts singled and Dustin Pedroia drew a walk to load the bases with one out.

Xander Bogaerts grounded to shortstop and the Yankees turned a double play in the estimation of first base umpire Carlos Torres. But Bogaerts was clearly safe and the call was swiftly overturned on review.

Three soft hits produced a run in the fourth inning. Bradley (3 for 4) reached on an infield single to the left side. With two outs, Brentz reached on an infield single the same way.

When Leon grounded a ball into left field through the shortstop hole, Bradley scored.

Bradley singled to left to start off the sixth. Aaron Hill grounded slowly to third and Chase Headley threw the ball away. Hill was credited with a single and Headley with an error for allowing the runners to move up.

With one out, Leon turned on an inside fastball and blasted it deep to left field. The dugout erupted, Farrell said.

“My gosh, that ball was crushed,’’ Bradley said. “He got a good pitch and didn’t miss. He hasn’t been missing often.’’

Now the Sox will have David Price on the mound Sunday with a chance to sweep their rivals. He will oppose Masahiro Tanaka. The Sox are 6-2 against the Yankees this season.

The Yankees are 44-46 and have fallen 9½ games out of first place. With the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline approaching, they need victories or face the prospect of general manager Brian Cashman convincing ownership to trade off veteran players.

“This is probably as important a game as we’ve had in July in a long time. Tomorrow,’’ manager Joe Girardi said.

Saturday’s game drew 48,329 fans to Yankee Stadium, the largest crowd of the season. Many in the stands were Red Sox fans, their cheers noticeably loud.

“I’ve never heard it like that before,’’ Bogaerts said. “It’s been a good few days for us.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.