BOSTON – Robinson Cano had committed a brutal ninth-inning throwing error, turning two potential outs from Trot Nixon’s grounder into zero.
Two batters later, Boston had closed within two runs and loaded the bases off Mariano Rivera with nobody out. Given Boston’s propensity for comebacks and Rivera’s October and April failures against his rival, things looked bleak as the Yankee infielders convened for a mound conference.
Before Alex Cora stepped to the plate, Rivera showed his teammates his mettle.
“Everything’s going to be all right,” Rivera predicted. “We’re going to get out of this.”
Two batters later, the Yankees walked off the field with a 5-3 victory. If nothing else, last night’s win proved Rivera is again unflappable.
“If Mariano keeps pitching like he is, they’re going to be very well off,” Boston’s Johnny Damon said. “The guy’s just been awesome.
“This is probably the best time in his career, and it’s been a pretty good career so far.”
Since blowing consecutive saves in April against the Sox, Rivera has reeled off 23 straight saves. His ERA is a miniscule 0.93 ERA.
Manny Ramirez sparked the ninth-inning rally with a solo homer off Tom Gordon, who then walked Kevin Millar. Rivera came in and produced Nixon’s grounder, but Cano chucked the ball high and to the left of Derek Jeter.
“I had a few pitches I could’ve handled, but I fouled them,” Nixon said. “I wasn’t happy with my swing.
“He has the ability to be over the plate but still be very successful. There’s a reason why he’s the best closer in the game.”
After consecutive singles by Jason Varitek and Bill Mueller, Boston only trailed 5-3.
Cora hit a 2-and-2 pitch to Alex Rodriguez, who initiated a bang-bang twin killing against the speedy Cora. Replays showed Cora may have been safe, however.
“That was great,” Rivera said. “He, Posada and Tino were tremendous.
“Still two outs. We have to go for the third out.”
Cora, who was facing Rivera for the first time, said: “He made a great pitch . . . and they turned the double play. It was very close.”
On the next pitch, Damon grounded to second for the final out.
“Against Rivera we didn’t necessarily crush the ball, but we stayed off pitches enough where we have a real legit chance to give him a loss,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Bases loaded, nobody out, even against him. We felt pretty good.”
So did Rivera.
Additional reporting by George King.