“I think it’s inexcusable if the boos were from Yankee fans because they wouldn’t be crawling all over themselves to get into this ballpark if it weren’t for him,” New York manager Joe Torre said.

Pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre had a similar reaction.

“I was very surprised by that. Everything he’s done here and in this ballpark, I was shocked. But that’s New York,” Stottlemyre said.

The final run scored on Felix Rodriguez’s wild pitch.

Rivera (1-1) allowed five runs — one earned — and three walks in two-thirds of an inning. He also gave up three hits and threw 38 pitches.

“I don’t want to say he lost his cool, but he definitely lost his command,” Stottlemyre said.

The All-Star closer has blown his last four save chances against the Red Sox, including two in the 2004 playoffs, and six opportunities in all against Boston since the start of last season.

He yielded Jason Varitek’s tying homer in the ninth on Tuesday, but Jeter bailed out Rivera with a game-winning homer in the bottom half.

“Yesterday’s game had nothing to do with today,” Rivera said.

Mike Timlin (1-0) got two outs for the win. His first pitch hit Jeter in the left shoulder and then deflected off his ear flap, knocking Jeter’s helmet off and sending him sprawling to the dirt.

Julie Jacobson / AP New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter falls to the ground after being hit in the head by a pitch thrown by Boston Red Sox pitcher Mike Timlin on Wednesday. Jeter left the game, and his status was not immediately known.

He remained in the game to run the bases, but was replaced at shortstop by Rey Sanchez in the ninth.

“He heard some ringing in his ears. He felt a little woozy,” Torre said. “Timlin wasn’t trying to hit him. He was just trying to rush a little, and his ball was all over the place.”

The Red Sox got a strong outing from Wakefield, who allowed only three hits in 6 2-3 innings — including solo homers by Rodriguez and Martinez.

Making his first start of the year, Mike Mussina gave up nine hits but worked out of trouble. Helped by three double plays, he limited the Red Sox to two runs in six innings.

Kevin Millar’s two-run single gave Boston the lead in the fourth.

Rodriguez homered to center in the bottom half, his first of the season. Martinez tied it at 2 when he connected in the fifth, his first since returning to the Yankees. A fan favorite in New York while winning four World Series titles from 1996-01, Martinez got a huge ovation and popped out of the dugout for a curtain call.

Notes: The Red Sox said Francona was to be transferred to Boston via Medi-Vac later Wednesday, and will remain under evaluation under the supervision of team medical director Dr. Thomas Gill. ... Millar left in the sixth with a cramp in his left knee but is not expected to miss any time. After going 3-for-3, he was replaced by David McCarty. ... Boston outhit the Yankees 14-4. ... The Red Sox have not been swept in a three-game series to start the season since 1996 at Texas.

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