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Rodriguez, Yankees look to rebound from tough loss vs. Boston

Apr 21, 2007 - 1:48 PM Ny Yankees (8-7) at Boston (10-5) 3:55 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Alex Rodriguez is not doing everything for the New York Yankees these days, it just seems like it.

Rodriguez looks to continue his amazing April as the Yankees aim to avenge Friday's shocking loss to the Boston Red Sox in the second game of the three-game set.

Rodriguez continued his sizzling start in Friday's series opener, going 3-for-5 with two home runs, a double and four RBI. He has five home runs in his last four games and matched Mike Schmidt as the fastest players to reach 12 homers in major league history - 15 games.

The two-time American League MVP, who has also hit safely in every game this season and is riding a 20-game hitting streak, will be the fastest to 13 home runs if he finds the seats again in any one of the next seven games.

Rodriguez's heroics were not enough to propel the Yankees to a victory on Friday as the Red Sox scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth, including two off New York closer Mariano Rivera. Rivera fell to 0-for-2 in save opportunities after blowing just three in 37 chances last season.

Jeff Karstens (NR), who has never faced Boston, will be making his season debut on the mound for the Yankees after coming off the disabled list with right elbow stiffness.

Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.50 ERA), who has allowed just one run in each of his three starts, will take the mound for the Red Sox. The righthander picked up the win in his last outing, yielding one run and six hits with five strikeouts over six innings in a 7-2 victory over the Angels.

The 2003 World Series MVP has struggled mightily against the Yankees in his four starts - all last season - for Boston, going 2-2 with a 9.45 ERA. Rodriguez is hitting just .111 (1-for-9) in his career against Beckett.