Sox salvage series finale in dramatic fashion

Sox salvage series finale in dramatic fashion

Pedro Ciriaco blooped an RBI single in the 10th inning for his latest big hit against the New York Yankees, and the Boston Red Sox squeaked out a 3-2 victory Sunday night moments after manager Bobby Valentine was ejected.

Felix Doubront held the Yankees scoreless until Russell Martin homered leading off the seventh inning. Martin also hit a tying single with two outs in the eighth off closer Alfredo Aceves (2-6), who went the rest of the way for the win.

Ryan Sweeney hit an early two-run double for the Red Sox, who took two of three in their first visit to New York this season despite grounding into four double plays against Hiroki Kuroda.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia drew a leadoff walk from David Robertson (1-4) in the 10th and Will Middlebrooks squared to bunt. Robertson's inside pitch appeared to deflect off Middlebrooks' right wrist, and the rookie yanked his hand away immediately as he spun to the ground.

The next thing the ball hit, however, was the left knee of plate umpire Brian O'Nora, who tumbled to the ground in pain. Trainers checked on Middlebrooks and O'Nora during a long delay, and Middlebrooks finally started toward first base.

But the umpires ruled the ball didn't hit him, and told Middlebrooks to come back to home plate. Valentine engaged in a lengthy discussion with the umps that finally grew heated and animated. He was ejected by O'Nora and threw his chewing gum in foul territory before returning to the dugout.

It was Valentine's third ejection in his first season as Boston's manager, and the 40th of his managerial career. Moments later, Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett was tossed by third base umpire and crew chief Tom Hallion after apparently jawing from the dugout.

Once play resumed, Middlebrooks grounded the next pitch through the left side for a single. Sweeney bounced into a force play that left runners at the corners, and Ciriaco plopped a soft fly into shallow right beyond the reach of a drawn-in infield.

Ciriaco had go-ahead hits in all three Red Sox wins over the Yankees this season, including a ninth-inning triple Saturday. He is 11 for 22 with six RBIs against New York.

Andrew Miller pulled Boston out of a dicey jam in the seventh and got the first two outs of the eighth before Andruw Jones doubled into the left-field corner. Martin lined Aceves' first pitch to center, and Jones scored without a play.

It was the fifth blown save for Aceves in 27 chances.

Martin moved up on a wild pitch but was stranded when Ichiro Suzuki flied out. Suzuki stranded five runners on the night.

Aceves plunked Nick Swisher with a two-out pitch in the 10th, then struck out pinch-hitter Raul Ibanez to end it. After winning the long battle with Ibanez, Aceves pumped his fist hard in front of the mound.
Kuroda allowed seven hits over eight innings in his latest strong outing.

NOTES: The 62-year-old Valentine took a few cuts during early batting practice. “Power stroke,” he said. “I think I was out in front too much.” ... LF Carl Crawford was back in the lineup after sitting out Saturday because Valentine said he was instructed by the team's medical staff not to start Crawford more than four days in a row. Crawford said Saturday he anticipates his elbow will require ligament-replacement surgery at some point, but Valentine said Sunday he's never been told that the speedy outfielder needs an operation. “I don't think that that's a definitive situation,” the manager said. ... Ciriaco started at shortstop instead of Mike Aviles, who is battling a sore toe that's affecting him at the plate, according to Valentine. “I'm hoping only a day, but we'll see how he feels tomorrow,” Valentine said. ... Boston opens a 10-game homestand tonight against Detroit, with Clay Buchholz scheduled to face Max Scherzer. ... Yankees RHP Joba Chamberlain (dislocated ankle) struck out three in 1 1-3 scoreless innings during his rehab outing for Double-A Trenton. He threw 23 of 30 pitches for strikes and earned the win in relief against Harrisburg. ... Valentine was also ejected twice during his playing career and once as a coach. ... Swisher returned to New York's lineup as the DH after missing seven straight starts with a strained left hip flexor. ... Music man Paul Simon was in the sellout crowd of 48,526.