by Chris Lima'
River Avenue News

Mike Mussina can breath a deep sigh of relief, as he finally reached the 20 win plateau, the first time in his career.

Yankee bats and gloves backed up a solid performance by Moose, who pitched out of a two on, no out jam in the only real Boston threat he faced.

Xavier Nady's three run home run barely cleared the fence, as his shot around the Pesky Pole provided all the offense the Yanks would need, as they cruised past Boston, 6-2.

After a shaky appearance by Joba Chamberlain, Mariano Rivera came in to shut the door on the Red Sox, who were trying their hardest to stop Mussina from reaching the 20 win mark.

Boston took the nightcap 4-3 in an otherwise meaningless game. The Red Sox will advance to the post season again this year, and the Bombers will look into getting their golf clubs out of storage.

Mike Mussina, RHP (19-9, 3.47)
Yankees (88-72)
Tim Wakefield, RHP (10-11, 4.24)
Red Sox (94-66)

Scouting Report:
Yankees: Defeating the Blue Jays in his last start, Mussina collected his 19th win of the season, matching a career high. The right-hander allowed no runs on four hits over his five innings of work. In the third frame, Mussina was hit on his right elbow by a comebacker to the mound, but managed to stay in the game for two more innings. He will pitch in New York's final game of the season on Sunday in Boston, as he attempts to reach the 20-win plateau for the first time in his 18-year career. Lifetime in Fenway Park, Mussina is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA.

Red Sox: Wakefield pitched well in his last outing at Fenway, allowing four runs on six hits against the Indians on Tuesday. The numbers are a bit deceiving, as all four runs came in the fifth inning thanks to uncharacteristic misplays in the Red Sox outfield. The 5-4 win ensured Boston a spot in the 2008 postseason, with the team's most tenured player earning the victory. The veteran knuckleballer will make his final start of the season in the Red Sox's final tilt -- an afternoon showdown with the Yankees. Wakefield is 1-1 in three starts against the Bronx Bombers this season.

Sidney Ponson, RHP (8-5, 5.21)
Yankees (87-72)
Matsuzaka, RHP (18-2, 2.80)
Red Sox (94-66)


Scouting Report:
Yankees: Ponson draws the call as the Yankees shut down Andy Pettitte for the remainder of the regular season. For Ponson, it will be his first start since Sept. 13, when he was rapped for four runs in 3 1/3 innings and removed from the rotation. Ponson had one win in his last seven starts and a 8.18 ERA over that span when the Yankees decided to look elsewhere. He has lost twice to the Red Sox this season as a Yankee -- on July 27 and Aug. 27.

Red Sox: Matsuzaka was scratched on Friday after a long rain delay prolonged the start of the game. He'll pitch Saturday against the Yanks in a final tuneup before the postseason. Matsuzaka has pitched just once against the Yankees this season, taking a no-decision on April 13. In that one, Matsuzaka gave up five hits and four runs over five innings, walking six. In 15 Fenway starts this season, Matsuzaka is 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA.

After two excessively long rain delays, the Yankees finished what they started by dismantling the Red Sox; 19-8.

Too bad it doesn't matter, a sentiment echoed by Bomber manager Joe Girardi; "I would have liked to have knocked them out of the playoffs and put us in. That would have meant something. It really doesn't [mean anything]."

Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner each had career days; Ransom homering twice in two consecutive at bats, off of two consecutive first pitches. Garder had a career high four RBI's. Bobby Abreu scored four runs and eventually knocked in his 100th RBI of the season.

Aceves lasted only four innings, and walked four batters, the most ever in his short major league career. The walks were most likely a result of the rain, causing Aceves to rarely get a good grip on the ball.

Jason Giambi hit was will most likely be the last home run at Yankee Stadium.

At least in the Red Sox-Yankee rivalry. Giambi belted a blast in the seventh, and eventually knocked in the game winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon CF	3	0	0	0	0	2	0	.311
D Jeter SS	4	0	3	0	0	0	0	.297
B Abreu RF	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.296
A Rodriguez 3B	4	0	0	0	0	3	4	.307
X Nady LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	4	.316
B Gardner PR	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	.189
R Cano 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	1	.266
H Matsui DH	3	0	0	0	1	2	0	.307
C Ransom 1B	2	1	1	0	0	1	0	.750
I Rodriguez C	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	.280
J Molina C	2	0	0	0	0	1	1	.228
a-J Giambi PH-1B	2	1	2	3	0	0	0	.251
Totals	32	3	8	3	2	10	12
a-homered to center for J Molina in the 7th
BATTING 2B: C Ransom (1, J Lester) HR: J Giambi (27, 7th inning off H Okajima 1 on, 2 Out) RBI: J Giambi 3 (81) 2-out RBI: J Giambi 2 Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: X Nady 2 Team LOB: 8
BASERUNNING SB: B Gardner (6, 2nd base off J Masterson/J Varitek) CS: D Jeter (5, 2nd base by J Lester/J Varitek)
FIELDING E: D Jeter (11, throw) DP: 1 (R Cano-C Ransom).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
M Mussina	7.0	5	2	2	2	6	0	113-73	3.41
B Bruney	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2-1	2.35
D Marte	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2-1	7.59
M Rivera (W, 5-5)	1.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	15-10	1.50
Totals	9.0	5	2	2	2	6	0	132-85
PITCHING HBP: A Cora (By M Mussina); K Youkilis (By M Mussina) Batters faced: M Mussina 28; B Bruney 1; D Marte 1; M Rivera 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: M Mussina 7-7; B Bruney 0-1; D Marte 1-0; M Rivera 2-2

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	5th	J Varitek singled to right, J Lowrie scored, A Cora to third.	1	0
	5th	J Ellsbury grounded into fielder's choice to second, A Cora scored, J Varitek out at second.	2	0
	7th	J Giambi homered to center, C Ransom scored.	2	2
	9th	J Giambi singled to center, B Gardner scored, H Matsui to third, I Rodriguez to second.	2	3

Jon Lester, LHP (12-5, 3.49)
Red Sox (75-55)
Mike Mussina, RHP (16-7, 3.45)
Yankees (70-60)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: Lester was hammered by the Blue Jays in his last start. The left-hander allowed seven runs on eight hits in just 2 1/3 innings, the shortest outing of his career as a starter. In addition, the seven runs he gave up tied a career high, which he set on Aug. 18, 2006, against the Yankees. Lester will look to rebound from the tough outing when he takes the mound at Yankee Stadium, in what could be Boston's final game at the historic venue. In three career starts against New York, Lester is 2-0 with a 4.12 ERA.

Yankees: Mussina had his best outing of the season against Baltimore in his last start. After going just two-thirds of an inning and then five innings in his two previous starts, Mussina was able to toss six innings allowing just four runs. He finished with a no-decision but was happy with his performance. In a pivotal series with the Red Sox, the Yankees will be hoping that Mussina can display the same dominance he showed in his last start against Boston, when he threw six innings and allowed four hits and no earned runs in a 2-1 victory.

Paul Byrd, RHP (8-11, 4.61)
Red Sox (75-55)
Sidney Ponson, RHP (7-4, 4.67)
Yankees (70-60)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: Byrd did not have his best stuff against the Blue Jays in his last start but was still able to collect the win; he allowed four runs on six hits over six innings. The right-hander walked two and struck out four to collect his first win as a member of the Red Sox. The right-hander was acquired from Cleveland in a trade on Aug. 12. Against the Yankees in his career, Byrd is 2-5 with a 4.90 ERA.

Yankees: Ponson had his worst outing of the season on Thursday at Toronto, lasting just two-plus innings and allowing seven runs on eight hits. Ponson had little command, uncharacteristic of his '08 Yankees tenure so far, and threw pitches over the heart of the plate. The seven runs allowed were his most since he did so on July 27 at Boston, a game he was similarly despondent after.

Tim Wakefield came off the disabled list and beat the Yankees, 7-3.

Normally this is a news segment, not a commentary, but we're going to go out of character for a minute.

Your telling me, that a guy who throws the ball 40mph got hurt? How does that work? I can get off my ass, walk up two flights of stairs at my office, get a cup of coffee, walk back down, and the ball still hasn't made it to the plate yet. And my trip for coffee was far more perilous than throwing a baseball at 40mph.

Anyway, A-Rod muffed another chance to play hero in NY; bases loaded, grounds into a double play, yada-yada....game over.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon CF	4	2	2	2	1	1	2	.313
D Jeter SS	5	0	2	0	0	0	0	.294
B Abreu RF	4	0	2	0	1	0	1	.298
A Rodriguez 3B	5	0	0	0	0	2	7	.308
J Giambi 1B	4	0	0	0	0	0	2	.247
X Nady LF	3	0	1	0	1	0	0	.321
H Matsui DH	4	1	1	0	0	1	3	.310
R Cano 2B	4	0	1	0	0	1	3	.269
J Molina C	2	0	1	1	0	0	0	.230
a-I Rodriguez PH-C	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	.283
Totals	37	3	10	3	3	6	20
a-struck out swinging for J Molina in the 7th
BATTING HR: J Damon 2 (11, 1st inning off T Wakefield 0 on, 0 Out; 5th inning off T Wakefield 0 on, 1 Out) RBI: J Damon 2 (57), J Molina (15) 2-out RBI: J Molina GIDP: A Rodriguez 2 Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: I Rodriguez 1, J Damon 1, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 10
FIELDING E: A Rodriguez (10, throw) DP: 1 (R Cano-J Giambi).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
A Pettitte (L, 13-10)	4.2	10	6	6	3	3	0	101-60	4.37
B Bruney	1.1	0	1	1	3	0	0	33-16	2.38
D Robertson	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	13-10	5.76
E Ramirez	1.0	1	0	0	1	0	0	15-8	3.59
C Britton	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	18-12	4.30
Totals	9.0	14	7	7	7	6	0	180-106
PITCHING IBB: K Youkilis (By E Ramirez) Batters faced: A Pettitte 26; B Bruney 7; D Robertson 3; E Ramirez 6; C Britton 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: A Pettitte 8-3; B Bruney 1-3; D Robertson 0-0; E Ramirez 1-2; C Britton 0-2

Sindey Ponson lasted only four innings and was tagged for seven runs. Dan Giese was the lone shining light, as he pitched the remaining four innings and only gave up two runs. Jon Lester struck out eight Yankees, en route to his ninth win of the season.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon DH	4	0	2	0	0	1	0	.315
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	1	0	1	2	.285
W Betemit SS	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.250
B Abreu RF	3	0	1	1	1	1	1	.280
A Rodriguez 3B	4	0	2	0	0	0	4	.326
X Nady LF	4	0	0	0	0	1	5	.000
R Cano 2B	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	.268
R Sexson 1B	4	0	1	0	0	2	1	.217
M Cabrera CF	4	1	1	0	0	2	1	.250
J Molina C	3	1	2	0	0	0	0	.228
C Moeller C	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.229
Totals	35	2	10	2	1	8	18
BATTING 2B: B Abreu (26, J Lester); A Rodriguez (22, J Lester) RBI: D Jeter (48), B Abreu (67) GIDP: D Jeter, X Nady Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: B Abreu 1, A Rodriguez 1, R Sexson 1, R Cano 2 Team LOB: 7
FIELDING Outfield Assist: M Cabrera (M Lowell at 2nd base).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
S Ponson (L, 6-2)	4.0	10	7	7	1	1	1	77-48	4.59
D Giese	4.0	5	2	2	1	0	0	65-37	2.86
Totals	8.0	15	9	9	2	1	1	142-85
PITCHING IBB: J Drew (By S Ponson) Batters faced: S Ponson 22; D Giese 18 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: S Ponson 6-4; D Giese 0-12

Scoring Summary
			NYY	BOS
	1st	M Ramirez doubled to right center, K Youkilis scored, D Ortiz to third.	0	1
	1st	M Lowell singled to center, D Ortiz and M Ramirez scored, M Lowell tagged out at second attempting to advance on play.	0	3
	2nd	D Pedroia hit sacrifice fly to center, A Cora scored.	0	4
	3rd	J Varitek doubled to left, M Ramirez scored, J Drew to third.	0	5
	4th	D Ortiz homered to right, D Pedroia scored.	0	7
	5th	D Jeter reached on infield single to third, M Cabrera scored, J Molina to third, J Damon to second.	1	7
	5th	B Abreu walked, J Molina scored, J Damon to third, D Jeter to second.	2	7
	6th	D Ortiz hit sacrifice fly to right, J Ellsbury scored, K Youkilis to second.	2	8
	6th	M Ramirez singled to left, K Youkilis scored.	2	9

Sidney Ponson (6-1) 4.02 ERA
Jon Lester (8-3) 3.20 ERA

Red Sox: Lester continues to be a consistent force for the Red Sox. In his last start, he mowed down the Mariners with 7 1/3 shutout innings, striking out six, and did not issue a walk. Lester has held the opponent scoreless in six of his 21 starts on the season. His only previous start against the Yankees this season was a shutout on July 3 at Yankee Stadium. In 10 Fenway starts, Lester is 4-1 with a 2.93 ERA. He is holding opponents to a .259 batting average.

Yankees: Ponson is set to make the fifth start of his Yankees season on Sunday against the Red Sox, looking to help keep New York undefeated in his efforts since he switched uniforms from the Texas Rangers. Ponson has not been lights-out in a Yankees uniform, but he is 2-0 with a 4.37 ERA since donning pinstripes, having defeated the Twins his last time out on July 21 with 5 2/3 innings of three-run, nine-hit ball. Ponson will be facing Boston for the first time this season and is 2-4 with a 7.16 ERA in nine career starts at Fenway Park.

Bomber rookie Brett Gardner singled home the winning run in the bottom half of the tenth inning, as the Yankees edged their division rival, 5-4.

Alex Rodriguez tied Mikey Mantle on the all time home run list with his 536th career home run, a solo shot off of Tim Wakefield in the second inning.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
B Gardner LF	5	1	2	1	0	1	0	.143
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	1	0	0	0	.281
B Abreu RF	4	0	0	0	0	1	1	.272
A Rodriguez 3B	4	2	2	1	0	0	0	.323
J Giambi 1B	3	0	0	0	1	0	1	.256
J Posada DH	4	1	1	0	0	3	1	.280
R Cano 2B	4	1	2	2	0	0	1	.252
M Cabrera CF	3	0	0	0	0	1	2	.247
J Molina C	3	0	0	0	0	2	1	.221
a-W Betemit PH	1	0	0	0	0	1	1	.253
Totals	35	5	8	5	1	9	8
a-struck out swinging for J Molina in the 10th
BATTING 3B: R Cano (1, J Lopez) HR: A Rodriguez (18, 2nd inning off T Wakefield 0 on, 0 Out) RBI: A Rodriguez (50), D Jeter (37), R Cano 2 (37), B Gardner (3) S: M Cabrera 2-out RBI: B Gardner Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: J Molina 1 Team LOB: 3
BASERUNNING SB: B Gardner (3, 2nd base off T Wakefield/K Cash); M Cabrera (7, 2nd base off M Delcarmen/K Cash)
FIELDING E: D Jeter (8, throw) DP: 2 (J Molina-D Jeter, J Giambi-D Jeter-J Giambi).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
J Chamberlain	6.0	4	3	3	4	5	0	101-63	2.45
D Robertson	1.0	2	1	1	0	0	0	23-15	3.00
K Farnsworth	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	16-10	3.69
M Rivera (W, 3-3)	2.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	16-13	1.12
Totals	10.0	7	4	4	4	8	0	156-101
PITCHING WP: J Chamberlain Batters faced: J Chamberlain 24; D Robertson 5; K Farnsworth 3; M Rivera 7 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: J Chamberlain 11-1; D Robertson 1-2; K Farnsworth 0-2; M Rivera 3-1

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	2nd	A Rodriguez homered to left.	0	1
	5th	K Youkilis scored on J Chamberlain's wild pitch.	1	1
	5th	D Pedroia singled to right center, S Casey and C Crisp scored, J Ellsbury to second.	3	1
	6th	D Jeter singled to right center, B Gardner scored.	3	2
	7th	K Cash doubled to left, J Lugo scored.	4	2
	7th	R Cano tripled to deep right, A Rodriguez and J Posada scored.	4	4
	10th	B Gardner singled to right center, R Cano scored.	4	5

Tim Wakefield, RHP (5-6, 3.72)
Red Sox (50-37)
Joba Chamberlain, RHP (2-2, 2.22)
Yankees (45-40)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: If there has been a recurring theme with Wakefield over the last few weeks, it's that he pitches well but doesn't win. In his last seven starts, the knuckleballer is 2-3 with a 1.98 ERA. Wakefield took a 3-1 loss to the Rays in his last start, giving up one earned run over seven innings. This will be Wakefield's first start of the season against the Yankees. Lifetime against New York, Wakefield is 9-16 with a 5.03 ERA. At Yankee Stadium, he is 5-7 with a 3.66 ERA.

Yankees: Chamberlain struggled against the Rangers on Tuesday, but held the Texas offense to just two runs despite a high pitch count. After throwing 91 pitches, the righty exited after four innings, his shortest outing since his first start June 3. Chamberlain gave up five hits and walked four, but he recorded six strikeouts to limit the damage. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said his starter's control was a little off and long innings led to the early exit.

The Yanks finally snapped their losing streak, edging out their AL East Rival, Boston Red Sox, 2-1.
Seven batters were plunked during the game, tying an American League record, with Manny Ramirez being drilled three times (also tying a major league record).
Mariano Rivera came in the ninth inning to close the door on the Sox, but struggled en route to earning his 23rd save. After giving up a run, Rivera escaped a no out bases loaded jam.
Brett Gardner and Melky Cabrera each had an RBI in the victory.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
B Gardner LF	3	0	0	1	0	0	1	.063
D Jeter SS	4	0	1	0	0	0	2	.282
B Abreu RF	3	0	0	0	1	1	0	.275
A Rodriguez 3B	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	.320
J Giambi DH	3	1	0	0	1	1	5	.259
W Betemit 1B	4	1	1	0	0	1	5	.255
R Cano 2B	3	0	1	0	0	0	1	.249
M Cabrera CF	4	0	2	1	0	0	1	.249
J Molina C	3	0	0	0	0	1	3	.225
Totals	29	2	6	2	3	4	18
BATTING RBI: M Cabrera (33), B Gardner (2) SF: B Gardner 2-out RBI: M Cabrera Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: D Jeter 1, W Betemit 2, J Molina 2, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 10
BASERUNNING SB: A Rodriguez 2 (13, 2nd base off J Masterson/J Varitek, 3rd base off J Masterson/J Varitek)
FIELDING Outfield Assist: B Gardner (D Pedroia at 2nd base).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
M Mussina (W, 11-6)	6.0	4	0	0	1	5	0	89-54	3.64
J Veras (H, 5)	1.0	0	0	0	0	2	0	15-9	2.54
K Farnsworth (H, 10)	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	15-11	3.79
M Rivera (S, 23)	1.0	2	1	1	0	2	0	25-16	1.17
Totals	9.0	6	1	1	1	9	0	144-90
PITCHING WP: M Mussina HBP: M Ramirez 3 (By M Mussina 2; M Rivera); K Youkilis (By M Rivera) Batters faced: M Mussina 23; J Veras 3; K Farnsworth 3; M Rivera 7 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: M Mussina 5-6; J Veras 0-1; K Farnsworth 1-2; M Rivera 0-1

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	2nd	M Cabrera singled to right, J Giambi scored, R Cano to third, M Cabrera to second advancing on throw.	0	1
	6th	B Gardner hit sacrifice fly to left, W Betemit scored.	0	2
	9th	M Lowell singled to right, J Drew scored, B Moss to second.	1	2

Justin Masterson, RHP (4-2, 3.75)
Red Sox (50-36)
Mike Mussina, RHP (10-6, 3.87)
Yankees (44-40)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: The sinkerballer has been plagued by control problems in his last couple of starts. Most recently, Masterson walked five and allowed four runs over six innings in a 5-4 loss to the Rays. Masterson has walked three or more batters in four of his last five starts. In six June starts, Masterson was 3-2 with a 4.54 ERA. This is his first career start at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees: Mussina?s ERA -- currently at 3.87 -- has been under 4.00 over his last four starts. It seems like it's just a mistake here and there that's costing him. He hasn't walked more than two batters in a game this season. In 54 career starts against Boston -- the most he has against any team -- the righty is 19-17 with a 3.80 ERA.

Boston handed the Bombers yet another loss, dropping them into fourth place in the AL East. The last time the Yankees were in fourth place this late in the season was at the end of the 1992 season.

The Yanks had a 3 run lead after the first inning, but Rasner gave up three in the third and three more in the sixth inning, dropping his record to 4-7.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon LF	1	1	1	0	0	0	0	.319
B Gardner LF	3	1	0	0	1	2	2	.077
D Jeter SS	4	0	2	1	1	0	1	.282
B Abreu RF	4	1	0	0	1	0	5	.277
A Rodriguez 3B	4	1	2	2	0	0	4	.319
J Giambi 1B	2	0	0	1	1	0	1	.263
J Posada DH	3	0	0	0	1	1	1	.281
R Cano 2B	4	0	0	0	0	1	3	.248
M Cabrera CF	3	0	1	0	0	0	0	.246
J Molina C	2	0	0	0	1	0	3	.230
a-W Betemit PH	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	.256
Totals	31	4	6	4	6	4	20
a-flied out to center for J Molina in the 9th
BATTING 2B: J Damon (23, J Beckett); A Rodriguez (18, J Beckett); D Jeter (16, J Papelbon) RBI: A Rodriguez 2 (49), J Giambi (53), D Jeter (36) SF: J Giambi 2-out RBI: D Jeter GIDP: R Cano Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: B Abreu 1, A Rodriguez 2, J Molina 2 Team LOB: 8
FIELDING E: A Rodriguez (7, throw) DP: 2 (R Cano-D Jeter-J Giambi, J Molina-D Jeter).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
D Rasner (L, 4-7)	5.0	10	6	6	3	2	1	103-61	4.94
B Traber	1.0	0	0	0	1	0	0	13-8	5.06
J Veras	1.0	2	0	0	0	1	0	13-8	2.63
K Farnsworth	0.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6-3	3.89
E Ramirez	2.0	0	0	0	0	3	0	25-17	2.90
Totals	9.0	12	6	6	4	6	1	160-97
PITCHING HBP: D Pedroia (By D Rasner) Batters faced: D Rasner 27; B Traber 4; J Veras 4; K Farnsworth 1; E Ramirez 5 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: D Rasner 7-5; B Traber 3-0; J Veras 0-1; K Farnsworth 0-0; E Ramirez 0-2

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	1st	A Rodriguez doubled to left, J Damon and B Abreu scored, A Rodriguez to third advancing on throw.	0	2
	1st	J Giambi hit sacrifice fly to center, A Rodriguez scored.	0	3
	3rd	M Lowell hit sacrifice fly to left, J Ellsbury scored.	1	3
	3rd	K Youkilis tripled to deep left, D Pedroia and M Ramirez scored.	3	3
	5th	M Lowell homered to left, D Pedroia and M Ramirez scored.	6	3
	9th	D Jeter doubled to center, B Gardner scored.	6	4

Josh Beckett, RHP (7-5, 3.65)
Red Sox (50-34)
Darrell Rasner, RHP (4-6, 4.42)
Yankees (44-38)

Scouting Report:
Red Sox: Despite his modest win total, Beckett is on his best roll of the season. In June, the righty went 2-1 with a 2.38 ERA over five starts. He has given up two earned runs or less in six of his last seven outings. Beckett is 2-0 against the Yankees this season. This will be his second outing of the year at Yankee Stadium, where he allowed six hits and three runs in a win on April 17. In nine road starts, Beckett is 3-4 with a 3.19 ERA. In his last start, he gave up two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Astros.

Yankees: Even though Rasner kept his team in the game by allowing just two runs in the Yankees' 3-1 loss to the Mets on Sunday, his five innings were full of trouble. That's what happens when you give up eight hits and three walks. Rasner maintained a sub-3.00 ERA in his first six starts, but he's seen his ERA climb to 4.42 in his last outings.

Red Sox lefty Jon Lester allowed five hits en route to a complete game shutout against the Yankees last night.
Andy Pettite lasted only four and two thirds innings pitched, giving up six runs (five were earned).
The silver lining in last night's dismal offensive showing by the Bombers was Robinson Cano's two hits. Cano is 6-12 in his last three games, and is looking like he's finally coming out of the horrific slump that plagued him early in the season.

New York Yankees
Hitters	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	LOB	AVG
J Damon LF	3	0	0	0	1	1	2	.317
D Jeter SS	3	0	1	0	1	1	1	.279
B Abreu RF	4	0	0	0	0	0	3	.281
A Rodriguez 3B	4	0	0	0	0	1	2	.316
J Giambi DH	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.265
J Posada C	3	0	0	0	0	1	0	.287
R Cano 2B	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	.252
W Betemit 1B	3	0	0	0	0	2	2	.258
M Cabrera CF	3	0	2	0	0	0	1	.245
Totals	29	0	5	0	2	8	13
BATTING 2B: M Cabrera (10, J Lester) GIDP: D Jeter, W Betemit, B Abreu Runners left in scoring position, 2 out: J Damon 1, J Giambi 1 Team LOB: 4
FIELDING E: D Jeter (7, throw) DP: 2 (A Pettitte-R Cano-W Betemit, R Cano-D Jeter-W Betemit).

New York Yankees
Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
A Pettitte (L, 9-6)	4.2	9	6	5	3	2	0	89-49	4.22
D Giese	2.1	0	0	0	0	3	0	25-17	2.82
L Hawkins	1.0	2	1	1	1	0	0	24-13	5.94
D Robertson	1.0	0	0	0	0	1	0	16-10	1.80
Totals	9.0	11	7	6	4	6	0	154-89
PITCHING Batters faced: A Pettitte 24; D Giese 7; L Hawkins 5; D Robertson 3 Ground Balls-Fly Balls: A Pettitte 8-3; D Giese 1-3; L Hawkins 3-0; D Robertson 2-0

Scoring Summary
			BOS	NYY
	1st	M Ramirez grounds into a force out, J Drew out at second. M Ramirez advances to second, D Pedroia scores on throwing error by shortstop D Jeter.	1	0
	1st	M Lowell singled to left, M Ramirez scored, M Lowell to second advancing on throw.	2	0
	2nd	J Ellsbury doubled to right, C Crisp and J Varitek scored.	4	0
	4th	J Lugo hit sacrifice fly to center, C Crisp scored.	5	0
	5th	M Lowell hit sacrifice fly to left, J Drew scored.	6	0
	8th	J Varitek singled to right, K Youkilis scored, C Crisp to third.	7	0