Game 12: Yankees lose 4-3

Joe Girardi left himself up to second-guessing in the Yankees' 4-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox Saturday afternoon.

After falling behind 4-2, the Yankees were able to score a run in the top of the seventh. After Jason Giambi grounded into a double play, Jorge Posada singled and took second base on a wild pitch. He was able to score on Robinson Cano's double off the green monster to cut the lead to 4-3.

In the top of the eighth, the Yankees staged out a two-out rally. Melky Cabrera walked and Bobby Abreu singled. The Red Sox were about to bring in Jonathan Papelbon to face Alex Rodriguez, but the rain came, and stayed for over two hours. When play resumed, Papelbon made easy work of Rodriguez, striking him out on three pitches.

Papelbon then came out for the ninth inning, which was shocking because he warmed up three times - as Joe Buck and Tim McCarver kept reminding us of. Papelbon set the Yankees down in order to seal the victory for the Red Sox.

Notable performances:

• Mike Mussina: (1-2), 5.2 IP 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR
• Josh Beckett: (1-0), 6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
• Papelbon: (S, 4), 1.1 IP, 3 K
  
• Manny Ramirez: 2-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI

Both teams are 6-6 following this game. Phil Hughes will face Daisuke Matsuzaka on ESPN tomorrow night.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)