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Rivera, Yanks Escape

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By JAY COHEN The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 6, 2008

NEW YORK - NEW YORK - Mariano Rivera was on the ropes, and the Boston Red Sox were poised to earn a memorable comeback victory.

That's when the New York Yankees closer found his classic form again.

Rivera pitched himself in and out of trouble Saturday, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning and preserving a 2-1 victory.

"You can't have doubts," Rivera said. "You have to make pitches. If you have doubts, a lot of things can happen."

After Mike Mussina pitched six shutout innings, Rivera took over in the ninth with a 2-0 lead. The Red Sox quickly scored a run and were poised to get more, but Rivera struck out Coco Crisp, got Jason Varitek on a popup and fanned Julio Lugo for his 23rd save.

"We gave ourselves a great chance with really good at-bats in the ninth and then Mariano went to work and really carved us up for three batters," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "He gave himself no wiggle room and he didn't need it."

The Red Sox were on the brink of capturing the first three of the four-game series and fourth in a row in the season series when Rivera escaped.

"It was a big game for us," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said.
Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, two of New York's three healthy outfielders, each drove in a run.

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