Boston Red Sox defeat New York Yankees, 2-1

NEW YORK—Daniel Bard trotted in from the bullpen in the seventh inning knowing he was facing a most sticky situation -- and it had nothing to do with the sultry weather.

Worse. The bases were loaded, Derek Jeter was the batter and the Boston Red Sox were clinging to a two-run lead over the New York Yankees.

"You don't want to be the guy that gives it up," Bard said. "Also you want to see where your stuff takes you."

Bard's stuff was stellar.

He needed only six ...

NEW YORK — It’s standard practice for a manager to drop a struggling hitter down in the lineup. For Jacoby Ellsbury, it was a precipitous plunge from leadoff to No. 9 against the Yankees yesterday.

The Red Sox center fielder was hitless in 16 at-bats since coming off the disabled list, so Terry Francona thought it best for Ellsbury to watch the game a bit before going to the plate.

It was the first time Ellsbury started in the ninth spot since Sept. 15, 2008, the end...

NEW YORK — The finale was better than the first three games. It was an epic August matinee on a sultry Monday afternoon in the new/old ballpark on 161st Street. The Red Sox and Yankees stared at one another for 3 hours and 33 minutes before the Bronx Bombers finally blinked as Mark Teixeira swung and missed at a 2-and-2 Jonathan Papelbon splitter with the tying run on second base.

It was an afternoon of missed opportunities by both teams, an afternoon in which Papelbon ...

NEW YORK — While much of the focus from yesterday’s game was on Daniel Bard, there was another reliever who looked his best. Jonathan Papelbon, who has not always been himself this season, got a four-out save, finishing off the Red Sox’ 2-1 win against the dangerous Mark Teixeira.

Though, Teixeira hasn’t been dangerous against the Sox closer, and he ended the game with a strikeout, swinging at a splitter to fall to 0 for 9 with three Ks in his career against Papelbon.
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NEW YORK — It was the stuff of dreams — or nightmares. The scenario called to mind a backyard fantasy a reliever might have had as a kid, entering a crucial game between the Red Sox and the Yankees at the Stadium with the bases loaded and just one out. And there, striding to home plate, is Derek Jeter.

Ready, Daniel Bard?

“It’s pretty cool,’’ he said. “It’s a good feeling, win or lose you still get that rush. But it’s a lot better when you come out on top.’’

Bard ...