New York stopped a four-game losing streak that matched its season high. The Yankees cut the magic number to one for their 15th playoff berth in 16 years and closed within a half-game of AL East-leading Tampa Bay.
Boston lost for just the fifth time in 13 games, a key defeat in an improbable September run. Boston dropped 6 1/2 games behind the Yankees in the AL wild-card race, and just seven games remain for the Red Sox.
Alex Rodriguez put the Yankees ahead 2-1 with his 29th homer, a two-run drive in the seventh off Daisuke Matsuzaka.
But Ryan Kalish and Bill Hall each stole two bases against Jorge Posada and Rivera as the Red Sox rallied in the ninth. Hall singled in the tying run and pinch-hitter Mike Lowell followed with a sacrifice fly.
That wasn’t the end of the late drama, with Nick Swisher, Mark Teixiera and Robinson Cano singling off Papelbon in the bottom half as a light rain fell. Cano’s hit drove in the tying run, but pinch-runner Ramiro Pena held at third. With the bases loaded, Papelbon held on by striking out Posada and retiring Lance Berkman on a flyout.
Then in the 10th, Curtis Granderson singled off Okajima (4-4) leading off, and Brett Gardner bunted. Catcher Victor Martinez’s throw hit Gardner for an error that allowed Granderson to take third. Martinez appeared to get hurt on the play, but stayed in the game.
Derek Jeter was intentionally walked, Boston drew the infield in and pinch-hitter Marcus Thames grounded to third baseman Adrian Beltre, who threw home for the force.
Miranda then worked the count to 3-1 before taking an inside pitch for ball four.
Boone Logan (2-0) retired David Ortiz on a squibber down the first-base line for the final out of the 10th. Rivera blew a save for the fifth time in 37 chances – but third since Sept. 11. Papelbon blew a save for the eighth time in 45 chances.