Ramirez Makes Rivera, Yankees Pay in the End

Manny Ramirez made his first game as part of the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankee rivalry a memorable one.

One of baseball’s best sluggers grounded a two-run single up the middle off one of the game’s best closers, Mariano Rivera, giving Boston a 3-2 win over New York in 10 innings Friday night at Boston.

“He’s worth every penny,” winning pitcher Derek Lowe said of Ramirez, who signed a $160 million free-agent contract. “You go out and get a marquee guy and he’s not going to come through every time. But I’ll take my chances with him.”

With one out in the 10th, Trot Nixon singled to center. After Jose Offerman struck out, Carl Everett singled, and the runners advanced to second and third on a passed ball by Jorge Posada.

But the Yankees chose to pitch to the right-handed Ramirez, rather than walk him and face the left-handed Troy O’Leary with the bases loaded. Ramirez had a run-scoring double in the fifth inning but was 0 for 12 lifetime against Rivera.

Both runners scored easily on the single and Ramirez’s teammates poured out to congratulate him.

Minnesota 7, Chicago 4--Mark Redman retired his last 13 batters at Minneapolis and the Twins scored in each of the first five innings in winning their fourth in a row.

Trailing 4-2, the Twins turned the game around thanks to a bizarre play in the bottom of the third.

Minnesota loaded the bases with one out against Chicago starter Mark Buerhle (0-2). Matt Lawton walked, Corey Koskie was hit by a pitch and David Ortiz walked.

Bobby Kielty followed with a ground ball to third baseman Herbert Perry, who attempted to throw home for the force play. But the throw hit Kielty’s bat, which was dropped in front of the plate, and caromed into the Twins’ dugout. Lawton and Koskie scored on the play to tie the game at 4-4.

Toronto 2, Kansas City 1--Chris Michalak combined with three relievers on a four-hitter to win his second consecutive start as the Blue Jays defeated the Royals in a repaired SkyDome.

A mechanical malfunction in the stadium’s retractable roof resulted in one panel crashing into another, postponing Thursday’s game. The collision ripped a big hole in the roof and sent huge chunks of debris crashing to the turf, but by Friday, the hole was repaired with temporary panels.

Cleveland 9, Detroit 8--Russell Branyan’s three-run homer keyed a six-run first inning and the Indians held on to defeat the Tigers at Detroit.

C.C. Sabathia picked up the first victory of his career, giving up four runs, five hits and two walks in five innings. Five Indian relievers followed, with Paul Shuey striking out two for his first save.

Tampa Bay 2, Baltimore 0--Greg Vaughn hit a two-run home run and Albie Lopez pitched his third career shutout as the Devil Rays won at Baltimore.

Lopez (2-1) outdueled Oriole starter Pat Hentgen as the Devil Rays won their second consecutive after losing seven in a row.

Texas 13, Oakland 1--Alex Rodriguez hit his first home run as a Ranger, and Rusty Greer and Randy Velarde opened the game with back-to-back homers to lead Texas over the Athletics at Oakland.

The A’s, who won the AL West title last season, lost their fifth consecutive to drop to 2-8.