APOrtiz hit the next pitch for a sinking liner in front of Bobby Abreu. It bounced past the right fielder and, by the time he chased the ball down and fired it back to the infield, Ortiz was on third with a single and a two-base error. Pedroia had scored the tying run and Pettitte’s night was over.
Kevin Youkilis put Boston on top 5-4 with a sacrifice fly off Luis Vizcaino.
Abreu made up for his mistake with a backhand catch in deep right-center on a drive by Pedroia to save a run in the eighth.
Derek Jeter cut down Lugo trying to score on Pedroia’s double in the sixth. He took Matsui’s throw from left field and fired high to Jorge Posada, but the catcher blocked a sliding Lugo from reaching the plate before the tag.
Boston manager Terry Francona argued animatedly with plate umpire Chris Guccione, but said, “from what I understand, he’s right.”
The Yankees took a 4-0 lead on Josh Phelps’ RBI single in the second and three runs in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Rodriguez hit an infield single to third baseman Mike Lowell, who threw the ball wildly to first for an error as two runs scored. Jorge Posada followed with an RBI single.
Notes: Pedroia had two doubles and extended his hitting streak to 13 games. ... Phelps went 2-for-4 while replacing injured Doug Mientkiewicz at first base.
DeMarco: David Wright's hot bat — he's hitting .405 — makes him the pick for NL MVP thus far. But that's just for starters in our feature.
SEATTLE (AP) - Pinch-hitter Howie Kendrick broke a tie in the top of the ninth inning with a two-run single off Seattle closer Brandon League, and the Los Angeles Angels rallied from a 4-0 deficit for a 6-4 win over the Mariners on Friday night.
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