Igawa helps Yankees end losing streak

Banished to the bullpen, Kei Igawa saved the struggling New York Yankees when they desperately needed him.

Igawa shut out the Boston Red Sox for six-plus innings after replacing injured starter Jeff Karstens in the first, and New York ended a losing streak at seven games with a 3-1 victory Saturday.

Jorge Posada hit a two-run homer against knuckleballer Tim Wakefield (2-3) and Mariano Rivera earned his first save to help the Yankees avoid their first eight-game skid since August 1995.

The slump had owner George Steinbrenner seething in Florida, and it raised questions about Manager Joe Torre’s job security. But the Yankees (9-13) got what they needed, a well-pitched game, even though they lost yet another starter to injury.

Karstens was hit in the knee by Julio Lugo’s line drive on his first pitch and crumpled to the turf in pain. He tried to stay in but lasted only six pitches. It was later determined his leg was broken.

Rivera, who entered with a 12.15 earned-run average in eight appearances, worked a scoreless ninth for his first save in three chances.