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Red Sox hope to gain split vs. Yankees

Apr 17, 2008 - 1:59 PM Boston (9-7) at NY Yankees (9-7) 7:05 pm EDT

BRONX, New York (Ticker) - After enduring a 15-run outburst on Wednesday, the Boston Red Sox will attempt to gain a split behind ace Josh Beckett when they close out a two-game series against the New York Yankees on Thursday.

The Yankees pounded out 16 hits in Wednesday's 15-9 win and scored eight runs off the Red Sox bullpen, while watching their own relief corps toss five solid frames.

Alex Rodriguez moved into sole possession of 15th place on the all-time home run list when he blasted a solo homer off rookie Clay Buchholz in the first inning. The reigning AL MVP snapped a tie for the position with Hall-of-Famers Ted Williams and Willie McCovey.

Jorge Posada finished with two doubles among his three hits and catcher Chad Moeller turned in his first three-hit effort in nearly four years.

Hits could be harder to come by against Beckett (1-1, 6.35 ERA), who cruised through five innings against New York last Saturday before allowing three runs between the sixth and seventh innings. The righthander struck out five and walked one in the victory.

The Yankees have been one of his least favorite opponents over the years, however, as Beckett owns a 5-3 record with a 6.24 ERA in nine career starts against the bitter rivals.

New York will counter with Mike Mussina (1-2, 4.15), who was victimized by Manny Ramirez in a loss to Beckett and the Red Sox last weekend. The veteran righthander allowed a homer and a two-run double to Ramirez in New York's 4-3 loss.