Boston, MA (Sports Network) – Derek Jeter’s infield single in the top of the 10th brought in the deciding run, as the New York Yankees moved to a game up in the AL East with a 6-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox in the opener of a doubleheader from Fenway Park.
Tampa Bay, which plays at Kansas City, can close the gap back to within a half-game with a victory, but New York’s result in the back end of the twinbill — which is expected to pit New York’s A.J. Burnett against Daisuke Matsuzaka for Boston — can change that margin.
Robinson Cano finished 3-for-5 with a homer, two doubles and drove in two runs for the Yankees, who picked up RBI from Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez.
Phil Hughes (18-8) got the win with a scoreless inning of relief. Mariano Rivera picked up his 33rd save by holding off the Sox in their last at-bat.
Mike Lowell was 2-for-2 with a two-run double and scored once, while Daniel Nava drove in a run. Jed Lowrie and Bill Hall collected two hits each for the Red Sox, who slid to their fourth straight defeat.
Jonathan Papelbon (5-7) took the loss after being charged with the winning run over his one frame on the hill.