AL: NY YANKEES at BOSTON <div class="pre">NY YANKEES (8) VS BOSTON (7) - FINAL NY YANKEES ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Damon dh 6 1 4 1 0 1 1 .265 D Jeter ss 6 1 1 1 0 2 5 .313 B Abreu rf 4 1 1 2 1 1 0 .286 A Rodriguez 3b 4 0 1 1 0 2 1 .316 J Posada c 4 2 2 0 1 0 1 .339 H Matsui lf 4 0 1 1 1 1 5 .290 J Giambi 1b 3 1 1 1 2 2 3 .243 D Mientkiewicz 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .225 R Cano 2b 5 1 1 1 0 2 5 .298 M Cabrera cf 3 1 0 0 2 0 3 .286 Totals 39 8 12 8 7 11 24 BATTING: 2B - J Posada 2 (40, D Matsuzaka 2); J Damon 2 (23, E Gagne, H Okajima); B Abreu (34, J Papelbon). 3B - H Matsui (3, D Matsuzaka). HR - J Giambi (14, 8th inning off H Okajima 0 on, 0 Out), R Cano (17, 8th inning off H Okajima 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - H Matsui (94), J Damon (58), J Giambi (35), R Cano (83), D Jeter (63), B Abreu 2 (96), A Rodriguez (141). 2-out RBI - J Damon. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - D Jeter 3, J Giambi 1, H Matsui 2. GIDP - M Cabrera. Team LOB - 12. FIELDING: E - D Jeter (17, throw); J Giambi (1, ground ball). Outfield assists - M Cabrera (D Ortiz at Home). PB - J Posada 2. BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Lugo ss 5 1 1 0 0 1 4 .241 D Pedroia 2b 5 1 1 2 0 0 1 .326 D Ortiz dh 4 1 2 0 1 0 0 .322 M Lowell 3b 5 1 2 1 0 2 3 .326 C Crisp pr 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .272 R Clayton 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253 K Youkilis 1b 4 1 2 1 1 0 3 .289 J Drew rf 5 0 2 1 0 2 5 .264 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 2 2 3 .256 B Kielty lf 5 1 1 0 0 1 5 .247 J Ellsbury cf 5 1 2 1 0 2 1 .375 Totals 41 7 13 6 4 10 25 BATTING: 2B - D Ortiz (45, A Pettitte); B Kielty (3, A Pettitte). RBI - J Ellsbury (11), D Pedroia 2 (49), M Lowell (104), K Youkilis (81), J Drew (51). 2-out RBI - J Ellsbury, K Youkilis, J Drew. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - B Kielty 2, J Varitek 1, M Lowell 1, J Drew 2, J Lugo 1. Team LOB - 11. BASERUNNING: SB - J Ellsbury (5, 2nd base off A Pettitte/J Posada), J Lugo (30, 3rd base off J Veras/J Posada). CS - C Crisp (6, 2nd base by L Vizcaino/J Posada). FIELDING: E - J Lugo (19, catch); D Pedroia (6, throw). DP: 1 (J Lugo-D Pedroia-K Youkilis). ---------------------------------------------------- NY YANKEES - 000 101 060 -- 8 BOSTON - 011 302 000 -- 7 ---------------------------------------------------- NY YANKEES ip h r er bb so hr era A Pettitte 4 9 5 4 2 5 0 3.89 J Veras 1 2/3 2 2 2 1 1 0 6.00 S Henn 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 7.49 B Bruney (W, 3-1) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.72 L Vizcaino (H, 11) 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 4.09 M Rivera (S, 27) 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.91 BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era D Matsuzaka 5 2/3 4 2 2 5 7 0 4.41 M Timlin (H, 8) 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 3.22 J Lopez 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 3.05 H Okajima 1/3 3 4 4 1 0 2 2.28 J Papelbon (L, 1-3; B, 3) 1 3 2 2 0 2 0 1.82 E Gagne 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 3.77 S Henn pitched to 2 batters in the 6th. H Okajima pitched to 4 batters in the 8th. IBB - D Ortiz (by J Veras). HBP - A Rodriguez (by D Matsuzaka). Pitches-strikes: A Pettitte 101-58; J Veras 39-20; S Henn 10-5; B Bruney 17-9; L Vizcaino 10-7; M Rivera 13-10; D Matsuzaka 120-64; M Timlin 13-9; J Lopez 13-7; H Okajima 19-9; J Papelbon 18-13; E Gagne 15-10. Ground balls-fly balls: A Pettitte 3-3; J Veras 2-2; S Henn 0-0; B Bruney 2-1; L Vizcaino 1-1; M Rivera 0-1; D Matsuzaka 6-5; M Timlin 0-0; J Lopez 0-1; H Okajima 0-1; J Papelbon 1-0; E Gagne 0-3. Batters faced: A Pettitte 24; J Veras 8; S Henn 2; B Bruney 4; L Vizcaino 3; M Rivera 4; D Matsuzaka 27; M Timlin 2; J Lopez 3; H Okajima 5; J Papelbon 6; E Gagne 4. UMPIRES: HP--Jim Reynolds. 1B--Gary Cederstrom. 2B--Lance Barksdale. 3B--Tim Welke. T--4:43. Att--36,590. Weather: 70 degrees, cloudy. Wind: 14 mph, out to left.</div>
AL: NY YANKEES at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NY YANKEES (8) AT BOSTON (7) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON 2ND: K Youkilis singled to right center. J Drew struck out swinging. J Varitek walked, K Youkilis to second. B Kielty grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Varitek out at second, K Youkilis to third. J Ellsbury singled to center, K Youkilis scored, B Kielty to second. J Lugo popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia grounded out to third. D Ortiz doubled to center. M Lowell singled to center, D Ortiz thrown out at home, M Lowell to second advancing on throw. K Youkilis walked. J Drew safe at first on error by first baseman J Giambi, M Lowell scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 2. NY YANKEES 4TH: J Posada doubled to deep center. H Matsui tripled to deep right, J Posada scored. J Giambi walked. R Cano struck out swinging. M Cabrera grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Giambi out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 4TH: B Kielty doubled to left. J Ellsbury singled to center, B Kielty to third. J Lugo struck out swinging. J Ellsbury stole second. D Pedroia singled to center, B Kielty and J Ellsbury scored, D Pedroia to second advancing on throw. D Ortiz singled to right, D Pedroia to third. M Lowell reached on infield single to shortstop, D Pedroia scored, D Ortiz to second. K Youkilis flied out to right. D Ortiz to third, M Lowell to second on passed ball by J Posada. J Drew struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. NY YANKEES 6TH: J Posada doubled to deep right. H Matsui walked. J Giambi struck out swinging. R Cano flied out to left. M Cabrera walked, J Posada to third, H Matsui to second. M Timlin relieved D Matsuzaka. J Damon reached on infield single to second, J Posada scored, H Matsui to third, M Cabrera to second. D Jeter struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 6TH: J Lugo singled to center. D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop, J Lugo to second. D Ortiz intentionally walked. M Lowell flied out to right. J Lugo stole third. K Youkilis singled to center, J Lugo scored, D Ortiz to second. S Henn relieved J Veras. J Drew singled to right, D Ortiz scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek walked, J Drew to second. B Bruney relieved S Henn. B Kielty struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 8TH: J Giambi homered to right. R Cano homered to center. M Cabrera walked. J Damon doubled to left center, M Cabrera to third. J Papelbon relieved H Okajima. D Jeter singled to right, M Cabrera scored, J Damon to third. B Abreu doubled to deep center, J Damon and D Jeter scored, B Abreu to third on throwing error by second baseman D Pedroia. A Rodriguez singled to center, B Abreu scored. J Posada grounded out to second, A Rodriguez to second. H Matsui struck out swinging. J Giambi struck out swinging. (6 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7.</div>
AL: NY YANKEES at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NY YANKEES (8) AT BOSTON (7) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ny Yankees Starting Lineups -- J Damon DH, D Jeter SS, B Abreu RF, A Rodriguez 3B, J Posada C, H Matsui LF, J Giambi 1B, R Cano 2B, M Cabrera CF, A Pettitte LHP. Boston Starting Lineups -- J Lugo SS, D Pedroia 2B, D Ortiz DH, M Lowell 3B, K Youkilis 1B, J Drew RF, J Varitek C, B Kielty LF, J Ellsbury CF, D Matsuzaka RHP. Umpires -- Jim Reynolds (HP), Gary Cederstrom (1B), Lance Barksdale (2B), Tim Welke (3B). Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Cloudy, wind out to left at 14 mph. NY YANKEES 1ST: J Damon reached on infield single to first. D Jeter flied out to center. B Abreu grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Damon safe at second on error by shortstop J Lugo. A Rodriguez hit by pitch, J Damon to third, B Abreu to second. J Posada grounded into fielder's choice to first, J Damon out at home, B Abreu to third, A Rodriguez to second. H Matsui grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 1ST: J Lugo safe at first on throwing error by shortstop D Jeter. D Pedroia flied out to center. D Ortiz grounded out to shortstop, J Lugo to second. M Lowell struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. NY YANKEES 2ND: J Giambi walked. R Cano struck out swinging. M Cabrera popped out to shortstop. J Damon struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 2ND: K Youkilis singled to right center. J Drew struck out swinging. J Varitek walked, K Youkilis to second. B Kielty grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Varitek out at second, K Youkilis to third. J Ellsbury singled to center, K Youkilis scored, B Kielty to second. J Lugo popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 1. NY YANKEES 3RD: D Jeter flied out to center. B Abreu grounded out to second. A Rodriguez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia grounded out to third. D Ortiz doubled to center. M Lowell singled to center, D Ortiz thrown out at home, M Lowell to second advancing on throw. K Youkilis walked. J Drew safe at first on error by first baseman J Giambi, M Lowell scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 2. NY YANKEES 4TH: J Posada doubled to deep center. H Matsui tripled to deep right, J Posada scored. J Giambi walked. R Cano struck out swinging. M Cabrera grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Giambi out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 4TH: B Kielty doubled to left. J Ellsbury singled to center, B Kielty to third. J Lugo struck out swinging. J Ellsbury stole second. D Pedroia singled to center, B Kielty and J Ellsbury scored, D Pedroia to second advancing on throw. D Ortiz singled to right, D Pedroia to third. M Lowell reached on infield single to shortstop, D Pedroia scored, D Ortiz to second. K Youkilis flied out to right. D Ortiz to third, M Lowell to second on passed ball by J Posada. J Drew struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. NY YANKEES 5TH: J Damon flied out to right. D Jeter struck out looking. B Abreu walked. A Rodriguez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 5TH: J Veras relieved A Pettitte. J Varitek grounded out to second. B Kielty lined out to first. J Ellsbury struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. NY YANKEES 6TH: J Posada doubled to deep right. H Matsui walked. J Giambi struck out swinging. R Cano flied out to left. M Cabrera walked, J Posada to third, H Matsui to second. M Timlin relieved D Matsuzaka. J Damon reached on infield single to second, J Posada scored, H Matsui to third, M Cabrera to second. D Jeter struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 6TH: J Lugo singled to center. D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop, J Lugo to second. D Ortiz intentionally walked. M Lowell flied out to right. J Lugo stole third. K Youkilis singled to center, J Lugo scored, D Ortiz to second. S Henn relieved J Veras. J Drew singled to right, D Ortiz scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek walked, J Drew to second. B Bruney relieved S Henn. B Kielty struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 7TH: J Lopez relieved M Timlin. B Abreu struck out swinging. A Rodriguez flied out to center. J Posada walked. H Okajima relieved J Lopez. H Matsui flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 7TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to second. J Lugo lined out to shortstop. D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 8TH: J Giambi homered to right. R Cano homered to center. M Cabrera walked. J Damon doubled to left center, M Cabrera to third. J Papelbon relieved H Okajima. D Jeter singled to right, M Cabrera scored, J Damon to third. B Abreu doubled to deep center, J Damon and D Jeter scored, B Abreu to third on throwing error by shortstop J Lugo. A Rodriguez singled to center, B Abreu scored. J Posada grounded out to second, A Rodriguez to second. H Matsui struck out swinging. J Giambi struck out swinging. (6 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 8TH: D Mientkiewicz at first base. L Vizcaino relieved B Bruney. D Ortiz grounded out to second. M Lowell struck out swinging, M Lowell safe at first on passed ball by J Posada. C Crisp ran for M Lowell. K Youkilis flied out to center. C Crisp caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 9TH: R Clayton at third base. E Gagne relieved J Papelbon. R Cano flied out to left. M Cabrera popped out to second. J Damon doubled to left. D Jeter flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 9TH: M Rivera relieved L Vizcaino. J Drew singled to right center. J Varitek struck out swinging. B Kielty flied out to center. J Ellsbury struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7.</div>
Yankees rally for six runs in eighth, down Red Sox <h3>NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7</h3>By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BOSTON (Ticker) -- Just when the New York Yankees seemed destinedfor a loss that would all but end their hopes of a 10th straightAmerican League East title, they responded with their most dramaticrally of the season. Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano homered off Hideki Okajima,sparking a six-run, eighth-inning rally as the Yankees beat theBoston Red Sox, 8-7, in the opener of their three-game series atFenway Park on Friday. The Yankees made sure their comeback was worth the wait, as thetwo teams took 4 hours, 43 minutes to play nine innings, comingwithin two minutes of the major league record also set by thetwo teams on August 18, 2006. The Red Sox (89-59), who entered the game with a magic number of11 for clinching their first division title since 1995, blew a7-2 lead and had their lead in the division trimmed to 4 1/2games over the Yankees (84-63). Following the homers by Giambi and Cano, Melky Cabrera walkedand Johnny Damon doubled off Okajima. Red Sox manager TerryFrancona went to closer Jonathan Papelbon to get six outs. But the plan backfired as Derek Jeter singled home one run,before Bobby Abreu doubled to center, scoring two and tying thegame, 7-7. Alex Rodriguez, who homered off Papelbon (1-3) in the ninth towin a game on June 3, singled sharply to left-center, giving NewYork its first lead of the night. It was the fifth straight win in the season series for theYankees, who improved to 9-7 this season against Boston. Brian Bruney (3-1) earned the win by throwing one scorelessinning and striking out one. Papelbon, who won his first game Wednesday on David Ortiz'swalk-off homer, didn't hold the victory for Daisuke Matsuzaka,allowing two runs, ending a scoreless streak of 16 2/3 innings. Matsuzaka pitched well, allowing two runs and four hits over 52/3 innings and was pulled after 120 pitches. The righthanderstruck out seven and walked five, leaving the game with a 5-2lead. Matsuzaka pitched far better than his counterpart, AndyPettitte. The Yankees starter was pounded for five runs - fourearned - and nine hits over four innings. Pettitte struck outfive and walked two as New York rallied to get him off the hook.
AL: NY YANKEES at BOSTON <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NY YANKEES (8) AT BOSTON (7) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ny Yankees Starting Lineups -- J Damon DH, D Jeter SS, B Abreu RF, A Rodriguez 3B, J Posada C, H Matsui LF, J Giambi 1B, R Cano 2B, M Cabrera CF, A Pettitte LHP. Boston Starting Lineups -- J Lugo SS, D Pedroia 2B, D Ortiz DH, M Lowell 3B, K Youkilis 1B, J Drew RF, J Varitek C, B Kielty LF, J Ellsbury CF, D Matsuzaka RHP. Umpires -- Jim Reynolds (HP), Gary Cederstrom (1B), Lance Barksdale (2B), Tim Welke (3B). Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Cloudy, wind out to left at 14 mph. NY YANKEES 1ST: J Damon reached on infield single to first. D Jeter flied out to center. B Abreu grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Damon safe at second on error by shortstop J Lugo. A Rodriguez hit by pitch, J Damon to third, B Abreu to second. J Posada grounded into fielder's choice to first, J Damon out at home, B Abreu to third, A Rodriguez to second. H Matsui grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 1ST: J Lugo safe at first on throwing error by shortstop D Jeter. D Pedroia flied out to center. D Ortiz grounded out to shortstop, J Lugo to second. M Lowell struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. NY YANKEES 2ND: J Giambi walked. R Cano struck out swinging. M Cabrera popped out to shortstop. J Damon struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 0. BOSTON 2ND: K Youkilis singled to right center. J Drew struck out swinging. J Varitek walked, K Youkilis to second. B Kielty grounded into fielder's choice to shortstop, J Varitek out at second, K Youkilis to third. J Ellsbury singled to center, K Youkilis scored, B Kielty to second. J Lugo popped out to second. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 1. NY YANKEES 3RD: D Jeter flied out to center. B Abreu grounded out to second. A Rodriguez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 1. BOSTON 3RD: D Pedroia grounded out to third. D Ortiz doubled to center. M Lowell singled to center, D Ortiz thrown out at home, M Lowell to second advancing on throw. K Youkilis walked. J Drew safe at first on error by first baseman J Giambi, M Lowell scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 0, BOSTON 2. NY YANKEES 4TH: J Posada doubled to deep center. H Matsui tripled to deep right, J Posada scored. J Giambi walked. R Cano struck out swinging. M Cabrera grounded into double play, shortstop to second to first, J Giambi out at second.(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 2. BOSTON 4TH: B Kielty doubled to left. J Ellsbury singled to center, B Kielty to third. J Lugo struck out swinging. J Ellsbury stole second. D Pedroia singled to center, B Kielty and J Ellsbury scored, D Pedroia to second advancing on throw. D Ortiz singled to right, D Pedroia to third. M Lowell reached on infield single to shortstop, D Pedroia scored, D Ortiz to second. K Youkilis flied out to right. D Ortiz to third, M Lowell to second on passed ball by J Posada. J Drew struck out swinging. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. NY YANKEES 5TH: J Damon flied out to right. D Jeter struck out looking. B Abreu walked. A Rodriguez struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 5TH: J Veras relieved A Pettitte. J Varitek grounded out to second. B Kielty lined out to first. J Ellsbury struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 1, BOSTON 5. NY YANKEES 6TH: J Posada doubled to deep right. H Matsui walked. J Giambi struck out swinging. R Cano flied out to left. M Cabrera walked, J Posada to third, H Matsui to second. M Timlin relieved D Matsuzaka. J Damon reached on infield single to second, J Posada scored, H Matsui to third, M Cabrera to second. D Jeter struck out swinging. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 5. BOSTON 6TH: J Lugo singled to center. D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop, J Lugo to second. D Ortiz intentionally walked. M Lowell flied out to right. J Lugo stole third. K Youkilis singled to center, J Lugo scored, D Ortiz to second. S Henn relieved J Veras. J Drew singled to right, D Ortiz scored, K Youkilis to third. J Varitek walked, J Drew to second. B Bruney relieved S Henn. B Kielty struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 7TH: J Lopez relieved M Timlin. B Abreu struck out swinging. A Rodriguez flied out to center. J Posada walked. H Okajima relieved J Lopez. H Matsui flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 7TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to second. J Lugo lined out to shortstop. D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 2, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 8TH: J Giambi homered to right. R Cano homered to center. M Cabrera walked. J Damon doubled to left center, M Cabrera to third. J Papelbon relieved H Okajima. D Jeter singled to right, M Cabrera scored, J Damon to third. B Abreu doubled to deep center, J Damon and D Jeter scored, B Abreu to third on throwing error by second baseman D Pedroia. A Rodriguez singled to center, B Abreu scored. J Posada grounded out to second, A Rodriguez to second. H Matsui struck out swinging. J Giambi struck out swinging. (6 Runs, 6 Hits, 1 Error) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 8TH: D Mientkiewicz at first base. L Vizcaino relieved B Bruney. D Ortiz grounded out to second. M Lowell struck out swinging, M Lowell safe at first on passed ball by J Posada. C Crisp ran for M Lowell. K Youkilis flied out to center. C Crisp caught stealing second, catcher to shortstop.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. NY YANKEES 9TH: R Clayton at third base. E Gagne relieved J Papelbon. R Cano flied out to left. M Cabrera popped out to second. J Damon doubled to left. D Jeter flied out to right. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7. BOSTON 9TH: M Rivera relieved L Vizcaino. J Drew singled to right center. J Varitek struck out swinging. B Kielty flied out to center. J Ellsbury struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7.</div>
Yankees rally for six runs in eighth, down Red Sox <h3>NY YANKEES 8, BOSTON 7</h3>By Mike Petraglia PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer BOSTON (Ticker) -- Just when the New York Yankees seemed destinedfor a loss that would all but end their hopes of a 10th straightAmerican League East title, they responded with their most dramaticrally of the season. Jason Giambi and Robinson Cano homered off Hideki Okajima,sparking a six-run, eighth-inning rally as the Yankees beat theBoston Red Sox, 8-7, in the opener of their three-game series atFenway Park on Friday. The Yankees made sure their comeback was worth the wait, as thetwo teams took 4 hours, 43 minutes to play nine innings, comingwithin two minutes of the major league record also set by thetwo teams on August 18, 2006. "I think it's our biggest win of the year, certainly," Yankeesthird baseman Alex Rodriguez said. "It's definitely acharacter-builder. It gives us a lot of confidence, coming intoa place like this and being down five runs late in the gamewith their bullpen. It's a good character win." The Red Sox (89-59), who entered the game with a magic number of11 for clinching their first division title since 1995, blew a7-2 lead and had their lead in the division trimmed to 4 1/2games over the Yankees (84-63). New York remains 3 1/2 games in front of the Detroit Tigers(81-67) in the American League wild card race. Following the homers by Giambi and Cano, Melky Cabrera walkedand Johnny Damon doubled off Okajima. "Uncharacteristically, everything was over the middle of theplate," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Okajima. "Heelevated and he couldn't get out of the middle (of the plate)." After Okajima's performance, Francona went to closer JonathanPapelbon to get six outs. "We never gave up the fact we could win," Yankees manager JoeTorre said. "In this ballpark, if you put any kind of littlerun together, you have a chance to score some runs. When Jason(Giambi) messed up that ball on the double play, that was thekicker because it was 5-2 at the time but this ball club neverstopped fighting and never stopped screaming." But the plan backfired as Derek Jeter singled home one run,before Bobby Abreu doubled to center, scoring two and tying thegame, 7-7. "It wasn't one of our better efforts but it sure was a greatresult," said Torre, who watched as his team committed twoerrors, helping Boston build a 7-2 lead after seven. "We gaveaway so much and we had so many opportunities to do some damageand we lucked out but that eighth inning was incredible." Rodriguez, who homered off Papelbon (1-3) in the ninth to win agame on June 3, singled sharply to left-center, giving New Yorkits first lead of the night. It was the fifth straight win in the season series for theYankees, who improved to 9-7 this season against Boston. "It seems like we've played the last three games backwards,"Francona said. "We got to where we wanted. I thought Daisukepitched with a lot of heart. We got to Oki (Okajima) with theidea that even if things didn't go perfect, we had Pap ready forJeter. It fell apart in a hurry." Brian Bruney (3-1) earned the win by throwing one scorelessinning and striking out one. Papelbon, who won his first game Wednesday on David Ortiz'swalk-off homer, didn't hold the victory for Daisuke Matsuzaka,allowing two runs, ending a scoreless streak of 16 2/3 innings. "It happened quick, that's for sure," Red Sox third baseman MikeLowell said of the Yankee rally. "I feel good with a one-runlead with Oki and Pap. So I mean, they didn't hit too manyballs soft, though. They took advantage of pitches, and theydid it in a hurry. So that's a good hitting team. They did it.I don't have any explanation." Matsuzaka pitched well, allowing two runs and four hits over 52/3 innings and was pulled after 120 pitches. The righthanderstruck out seven and walked five, leaving the game with a 5-2lead. Matsuzaka pitched far better than his counterpart, AndyPettitte. The Yankees starter was pounded for five runs - fourearned - and nine hits over four innings. Pettitte struck outfive and walked two as New York rallied to get him off the hook.
