subject: Jed Lowrie goes 4 for 4 as Red Sox knock Yanks out of first [print this page] The Yankees came into the series opener knowing they could clinch their 15th playoff berth in 16 years by beating their biggest rivals twice in the three-game set. But the injury-riddled Red Sox, with five games left against New York, could still make some noise -- and give the Yankees a huge nfl jersey scare -- if they go on a late tear.
"It's not really a spoiler role. It's an incentive for us to reach the playoffs," Hall said. "If we can knock them off, it might give us a chance."
Rookie right-hander Ivan Nova and spot starter Dustin Moseley are slated to pitch the final two games of the series for New York. Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka get the ball for Boston.
In his second outing since missing two months with a strained left groin, Pettitte (11-3) fell behind several hitters and had trouble putting others away. He gave up seven runs -- six earned -- and a season-high 10 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
"We're just not used to seeing it. He's had such a great season," Teixeira said. "He's battling back. This is only his second start back. So, we know Andy's going out there giving it his best. It just wasn't his night."
Pettitte lasted only 75 pitches, not what the defending World Series champions had in mind as they try to get him stretched out for October. The left-hander came off the DL on Sunday in Baltimore and delivered an encouraging performance, yielding one run and threemlb jerseys in six innings.
J.D. Drew had three hits in this one for the Red Sox, and Mike Lowell scored three times before leaving the game after getting hit in the face by a bad-hop grounder. Lowrie also scored three times.
Beckett (6-5) went 6 2/3 innings, giving up five runs and seven hits.
"I'd rather pitch like that and win than pitch great and lose," he said. "I started leaving balls up. The sixth inning didn't bother me as much as the seventh -- the walk in front of the home run."
Game notes
Lowell was hit by Granderson's bad-hop single to first in the fifth. He crumpled to the ground as Francona and a trainer rushed out of the dugout, but the 2007 World Series MVP received a warm ovation as he rose to his feet and remained in the game -- temporarily. He was replaced by Lars Anderson in the sixth. "It's sore. It hit him kind of on the temple, but he didn't exhibit any signs of concussion or anything like that," Francona said. "We'll keep an eye on him, but I think he's going to be all right." ... Boston backup C Jarrod Saltalamacchiawill travel to Cleveland to have his sore thumb examined by a hand specialist, Dr. Thomas Graham. ... The four home runs served up by Beckett were a season high. ... Derek Jeter extended his nfl jerseyseason-best hitting streak to 13 games.
Jed Lowrie goes 4 for 4 as Red Sox knock Yanks out of first
