Bronx, NY (Sports Network) - Alex Rodriguez and Marcus Thames each hit two-run homers off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning, as the New York Yankees earned a dramatic 11-9 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Yankees Smack Two Ninth-Inning HRs, Beat Red Sox 11-9
Rodriguez, who had four RBI, tied the contest with a first-pitch, one-out shot to center field. The hit scored Brett Gardner, who led off wtih a double when the ball got by a diving Darnell McDonald in left field.
Robinson Cano flied out to center, but Papelbon then hit Francisco Cervelli on his left elbow with a pitch. Thames pounded Papelbon's first offering over the wall in left field, dealing the closer his first blown save of the season.
Thames also finished with four RBI for New York, which blew a 5-0 lead in the first inning.
Kevin Youkilis clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning and Victor Martinez went deep from both sides of the plate, but it wasn't enough for the Red Sox in the battle between the intense AL East rivals.
J.D. Drew added a three-run homer, while David Ortiz tacked on a solo shot for the Red Sox, who lost their third straight game.
Chan Ho Park, who was activated from the disabled list prior to the game, gave up the two-run blast to Youkilis and a follow-up one to Martinez in that eighth inning, but unlike Sunday, the Yankees rallied for a win.
A day earlier, Jason Kubel capped a five-run eighth inning with a grand slam off Mariano Rivera in a 6-3 Minnesota triumph in the Bronx.
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