Red Sox swing past the Yankees, 7-3

With one early swing, Manny Ramirez stopped the New York Yankees from gaining any momentum Tuesday night.

Ramirez hit a three-run homer in the first inning and the Boston Red Sox jumped on Mike Mussina right away, knocking back the Yankees with a 7-3 victory.

“Once I saw Manny hit the three-run homer, I knew it was going to be a good night,” winning pitcher Julian Tavarez said.

Curt Schilling pitches tonight for Boston in the rubber game against Andy Pettitte, and the Yankees might hear another critique from owner George Steinbrenner afterward.

“He’s waiting out this series, I think,” spokesman Howard Rubenstein said.

New York (20-24), which managed only four hits, has lost its last three series and eight of 12 games overall.

Boston second baseman Dustin Pedroia was upset after the game because he thought Alex Rodriguez hit him with an elbow while breaking up a double play in the eighth.

“He went in late and threw an elbow, but it’s no big deal,” Pedroia said. “I know now that when he’s going in, my arm slot drops to the floor. Some people play like that, and some people come in with hard, clean slides.”

*

Oakland right-hander Justin Duchscherer was put on the 15-day disabled list because of a right hip strain. The A’s have nine players on the disabled list.