A Johnny Damon two-run homerun off of Daisuke Matsuzaka sealed the deal for the New York Yankees edging out the Boston Red Sox 5-3 and decreasing the Boston lead in the division to 7 games.
Damon’s two-run homer barerly left Yankee Stadium as it looped over the right field wall which is 314ft back. The homerun looked to be no longer than 315ft.
Mariano Rivera finished off the Red Sox in the top of the ninth earning his 21st save of the season.
The New York Yankees who have been the best offensive team since the All-Star break leading in average, runs batted in and homeruns started the scoring in their half of the first inning scoring Damon on a fielder’s choice and Jorge Posada had an RBI double to left jumping out early against the Red Sox 2-0.
Andy Pettitte (12-7) earned the win for the Yankees pitching for 7 innings, allowing six hits, three runs, while walking two and striking out six on 119 pitches thrown (70 for strikes).
Manny Ramirez hit one of the two homeruns for Boston hitting an opposite field shot off of Pettitte in the top of the second inning.
Ramirez was later taken out of the game due to back spasms.
The Yankees left hander allowed another run in the next inning on a David Ortiz sacrifice fly knotting the game up at two.
It was a stand still until the fifth inning when Derek Jeter hit his ninth tall-jack of the season off of Matsuzaka.
Matsuzaka picked up his 11th loss of the season pitching for 6 1/3 innings, on six hits, five runs, three walks and two strikeouts. Matsuzaka also went over the 100 pitch mark throwing 110 pitches, 62 of which were for strikes.
Jason Varitek re-tied the game in the seventh inning with a homerun that was almost caught by Damon in left field. Damon leaped up for the ball and when he came down Varitek’s strike to left field went into the stands.
The mistiming of the ball seemed costly at the time, but Damon made up for not making the catch with his ninth homerun of the season that gave the Yankees a late lead.
Joba Chamberlain pitched a strong eighth inning striking out Eric Hinske and ended the inning by also striking out J.D. Drew with 2 outs and two men on base for Boston killing any chance of a rally.
