Alex Rodriguez’ 44th homerun of the season was the difference in Boston’s 4-3 loss against the New York Yankees.
Josh Beckett was over 100 pitches going into the seventh inning and had previously got out of a bases loaded jam in the bottom of the sixth. Derek Jeter lined out to center field and Beckett struck out Bobby Abreu for the first two outs in the inning, but Rodriguez launched a curveball from Beckett over the left field fence making it 4-1.
The insurance run did not seem important at the time although in the next inning it was crucial to the outcome of the game as Kyle Farnsworth threw an inside fastball to Kevin Youkilis (14) and he jumped all over the first pitch hitting a line drive two-run homerun to left field bringing the game to 4-3.
Mariano Rivera closed out the top of the eighth inning striking out Coco Crisp and finished off the ninth with a 1-2-3 inning earning his 22nd save of the season.
Roger Clemens did not allow a single hit until the sixth inning yielding his first hit on David Ortiz 25th homerun of the season which was a solo-shot in the sixth inning.
Clemens (6 innings, two hits, one run, five walks, and two strikeouts) earned his sixth win of the season out dueling Beckett who may have been left in a little too long pitching for 6 2/3 innings, 13 hits, four runs, one walk, and six strikeouts. Clemens also received a standing ovation for his performance against Boston.
New York’s second inning was also pivotal getting to Beckett early as Melky Cabrera had an RBI single to center field going 3-4 on the day with three singles, and Johnny Damon hurt the Red Sox again driving home two runs on an RBI single to left field in between the shortstop and third baseman giving the Yanks an early 3-o lead.
Beckett is now 16-6 on the season and let up a season high 13 hits to the Bronx Bombers in the contest.
Manny Ramirez did not play in the game due to the back spasms he encountered yesterday.
Boston is only 6 games ahead of the Yankees in the division.
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