The Red Sox won last night 7-5 with the offensive power of Manny Ramirez. So far this young season Ramirez has been on fire. Last night Manny hit went 3 for 5 with two home runs off of Mike Mussina, 3 RBIs, and 3 runs scored. In the 7th inning though, Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth threw a pitch 97 mph fastball behind Ramirez's neck on the first pitch to him. After the game Farnsworth said "It just slipped. I was trying to be aggressive and go in on him." After the game Ramirez said "We hit one of the best players and I guess they want to send a message and that's what they did. They've got to back up their players and he did."

Derek Jeter had this to say about the Farnsworth pitch, "He said it got away, so I guess that's the end of it. I get hit all the time. Getting hit hurts. Close doesn't hurt."

Josh Beckett started for the Red Sox and pitched 8 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 runs, striking out 5, and walking 1. Beckett got the win and is now 2-1. Yankees starter Mike Mussina only pitched 3.0 innings, allowing 7 hits, 5 runs, and had 1 strikeout. Mussina got the loss and is now 1-3.

The Red Sox and Yankees now don't meet back up until Thursday, July 3rd at New York. See the Red Sox vs Yankees schedule on the right side of the page.

Yesterday the Yankees layed a pounding on the Red Sox with the final score 15-9. Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz started and only pitched 3.2 innings, allowing 8 hits, 7 runs, had 2 strikeouts, and 1 walk. Julian Tavarez came in and pitched 1.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), with 1 strikeout, and 2 walks. Tavarez got the loss and is now 0-1. Yankees starter Chien-Ming Wang didn't do any better, only pitching 4 innings, allowing 9 hits, 8 runs, had 2 strikeouts, and 3 walks. Yankees' reliever LaTroy Hawkins got the win and is 1-0 now. Yankees' pitcher Brian Bruney got the save, his first of the season.

In the first inning, Alex Rodriguez hit a home run, his 522nd career home run. Kevin Youkilis left in the 8th inning with a bruised left big toe (he fouled a ball off of it), and the x-rays were negative.

Later tonight it will be Josh Beckett (1-1, 5.84 ERA) vs Mike Mussina (1-2, 4.15 ERA).

Sunday night Red Sox and Yankees starters had trouble but Boston's Daisuke Matsuzaka managed to get to the 5th inning while Yankees starter Phil Hughes could only get to the 3rd inning. Even though he struggled, Matsuzaka got the win and is now 3-0. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, striking out 2, and walking 6. Yankees' Hughes pitched 2 innings, allowing 6 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), striking out 3, and walking 3. Red Sox' Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury each had 2 RBIs.

In the 9th inning, Red Sox reliever Javier Lopez got Bobby Abreu out, and then Terry Francona brought in Manny Delcarmen. Delcarmen struck out Alex Rodriguez and Hideki Matsui grounded out to second to end the game.

Red Sox slugger David Ortiz got the day off as he is struggling this season, going only 3 for 43, the worst start he has had in his career. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter did not play in this game as well. The final score was 8-5.

The Red Sox now lead the season series 2-1. The next time these two teams meet is on Wednesday, April 16th.

Picture above is of Kevin Youkilis, courtesy of Getty Images.

Yesterday it was Manny being Manny. That is, getting hits off of Yankees pitchers. Manny Ramirez's home run off of Mike Mussina in the 4th inning was his 53rd career home run against the Yankees, which ties him for third most all-time against the Yankees (tied with Hank Greenberg). Ramirez hit a 2-run double in the 6th inning.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon came in the 8th inning to get a four out save. But before he could get the final out in the 9th inning, there was a 2-hour 11-minute rain delay. With the potential go-ahead run on base, two outs, Alex Rodriguez came to the plate. Papelbon struck out Rodriguez on three pitches to finish off the Yankees, and he got his 4th save in 4 tries.

Red Sox starter Josh Beckett pitched 6.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 3 earned runs, striking out 5, and walking 1. Beckett got the win and is now 1-1. Yankees starter Mike Mussina pitched 5.2 innings, allowing 8 hits, 4 earned runs, and getting 1 strikeout. Mussina got the loss and is now 1-2. The final score was 4-3 Red Sox. Yankees shortstop missed this game as well because of a strained left thigh.

Season series is now tied 1-1.

Last night Yankees pitcher Chien-Ming Wang shined as he pitched a complete game 2-hitter, allowing 1 earned run, and striking out 3. He is now 3-0 this season. Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz pitched 6 innings, allowing 4 hits, 1 earned run, striking out 3, and walking 3. Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin got the loss, and is now 0-1 this season. The final score was 4-1. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter did not play because of a strained left thigh.

Yankees lead season series 1-0.