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Yanks top Red Sox, spoil Fenway Park's 100th anniversary

Apr 21, 2012 - 2:43 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Eric Chavez hit two of New York's five home runs, as the Yankees beat the Red Sox, 6-2, on a day that saw Boston celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park.

On April 20, 1912, the Red Sox opened Fenway Park with a victory over the New York Highlanders, soon to become known as the Yankees. On Friday, the Yankees were again the opponent and both teams wore replica uniforms from 1912.

All living Red Sox uniformed personnel were invited to participate on Friday, and the former players and managers all entered the field through the center field gate during a pre-game ceremony. They wore jerseys from the time that they played and walked to their respective positions.

"That was fantastic, they did an amazing job putting this whole day together -- first class everything. I wouldn't expect anything less out of the Red Sox, obviously. What a special day for everyone," Red Sox outfielder Cody Ross said.

Alex Rodriguez, Nick Swisher and Russell Martin also homered for the Yankees on Friday.

Ivan Nova (3-0) gave up two runs on seven hits over six innings to pick up another win. He struck out five while improving to 1-2 in five games (four starts) against the Red Sox.

"He's a monster," Rodriguez said of Nova. "I don't know when people are going to realize that. He is a fantastic pitcher. He has four-plus pitches. All four pitches are above major league average."

David Ortiz hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who have lost four in a row. Mike Aviles had two hits and an RBI.

Clay Buchholz (1-1) allowed six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits over six- plus frames. He gave up all five of New York's home runs.

"Today was just a matter of missing up in the zone," Buchholz said. "When you get a team like that, that can hit mistakes, you can't miss up in the zone or on the plate. That was the case today."

New York got on the board in the first inning and never looked back. Derek Jeter reached first on second baseman Dustin Pedroia's missed catch error, moved to second on a wild pitch and crossed the plate on Rodriguez's single to center.

The Yankees added a pair of solo homers in the second. Swisher got the frame started with a blast over the wall in left-center field. After Raul Ibanez grounded out, Chavez hit a homer to right-center field for a 3-0 lead.

But Ortiz responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot of his own. Ortiz's blast to left-center field was originally ruled a double. Upon further review, it was determined the ball cleared the Green Monster before bouncing back into the field of play.

New York continued the home run parade in the fourth. Chavez led off the frame with a blast over the wall in center for his 16th career two-homer game.

The first pitch to Rodriguez in the fifth sailed over the Green Monster and onto Lansdowne Street. The homer was No. 631 of Rodriguez's career, moving him past Ken Griffey Jr. for sole possession of fifth place on the all-time home run list.

Boston managed to get one run back in the bottom half of the frame. Ross led off with a double and scored two batters later on Aviles' double to right. The ball dropped in front Swisher, who had problems with the sun. Nova retired the next two batters to keep it a 5-2 game.

Buchholz gave up his fifth homer of the game in the sixth, when Martin cleared the Green Monster.

Cory Wade, David Robertson and Mariano Rivera all tossed a scoreless inning of relief to secure the victory.

Game Notes

Boston went 12-6 against the Yanks in 2011, their most wins against New York since a 14-4 mark in 1973...Buchholz fell to 2-4 in eight starts against the Yankees...New York outfielder Curtis Granderson, who on Thursday went 5-for-5 with three home runs in New York's 7-6 win over Minnesota, went 1-for-4 on Friday...Ceremonial first pitches were thrown by current Boston mayor Thomas Menino, as well as Caroline Kennedy and Thomas Fitzgerald -- both descendants of 1912 mayor John Francis "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald...Jeter's single in the second inning was the 3,111th hit of his career, passing Dave Winfield (3,110) for sole possession of 18th place on baseball's all-time list.