Lowell HR, Youkilis' Triple Lead Red Sox Past Yanks 6-4

Bronx, N.Y. (AHN) - Mike Lowell's three-run home run in the fifth and Kevin Youkilis' near round-tripper, that became a two-run triple, in the third helped the Boston Red Sox to a 6-4 win over the New York Yankees Friday afternoon.

Lowell's shot took the air out of the Bronx Bombers, who received a pair of big breaks but couldn't capitalize in losing their fifth in six games to fall 10 games in loss column behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

New York's first break was man-made, as Youkilis drove a ball that landed squarely on top of the left field fence and sat there for a few seconds before falling back into fair territory, making Youkilis settle for a triple.

The Yankees second break was umpire-made, as centerfielder Coco Crisp clearly made a diving catch that should have ended the game if not for a poor umpiring call.

Bobby Abreu received an extra at-bat, but couldn't capitalize, sending a Jonathan Papelbon pitch deep to center, but eventually into Crisp's glove.

Papelbon notched his 25th save of the season, while starter Josh Beckett improved to 8-5 after limiting the Yanks to just four hits and three runs over six innings.

The Yankees, meanwhile, had to count on youngster Darrell Rasner who was not up to the task in his start, giving up 10 hits and six earned runs in dropping to 4-7.

Alex Rodriguez got the Yankees off to a strong start with a two-run double in the first, followed by a Jason Giambi sac fly that gave the Pinstripes a 3-0 advantage.

That was all the offense the team could muster until the ninth, however, when Derek Jeter got the Yanks within 6-4 on an RBI double.