Mariano Rivera saved the biggest win of the season for the Yankees on an early Saturday evening in the Bronx vs. the rival Red Sox. However, it wasn't anywhere close to being the automatic that Mo usually is.

Rivera entered in the top of the ninth with the Yankees clinging to a slim 2-0 lead. Mike Mussina was masterful through six innings and was followed by Jose Veras and Kyle Farnsworth for the next two.

Mo had to face the heart of the Red Sox order and it truly was a nail biter. J.D. Drew led off and went to a 3-2 count before lining a single to left center to start the inning for the Bosox. Yankee killer Manny Ramirez was next and on an 0-1 pitch, Mo's came too far inside and hit Manny with the pitch - it was the third time in the game that Manny was hit.

Mike Lowell then singled to right scoring Drew and chasing pinch runner Moss to second. Kevin Youkilis was also hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs, the Yankees clinging to a one run league.

With the Red Sox poised to tie - or take the lead - Mo had other ideas. He overmatched Coco Crisp and struck him out on an outside fastball which Crisp just waved at. Jason Varitek was next. Varitek has struggled lately and he popped up to Wilson Betemit for the second out. Julio Lugo was the last hope and he went to 2-2 and Mo then blew him away to end the game and earn his 23rd save of the season and give Mike Mussina his 11th win.

The game was of the utmost importance. By losing the first two games of the series, the Yankees had fallen into fourth place, nine full games behind the Tampa Bay Rays and six games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card. With the win, the Yankees gained a game on Boston and now are five games back in the Wild Card race.

Mariano's coolness under extreme pressure is why he is simply the greatest relief pitcher in the history of the game, bar none. With the run given up, his ERA now stands at 1.17 on the season.

READ BEFORE COMMENTING: Participation constitutes agreement to our User Guidelines, which are stricter than most other blogs', so please read them before commenting. No advertising (posting links to your site), inflammatory (flaming) remarks, vulgarities (any kind of profanity that you can imagine) or questions about our guidelines or comment deletions. We generally try to maintain a family friendly atmosphere here. Please keep this in mind. A few common examples:

• Posting a link to your blog or to any site you are affiliated with will probably get your comment deleted, unless we asked for it or it acts as a TrackBack.
• Asking why your comment was deleted will get your comment deleted. Please contact us instead.
• Attacking a blogger or fellow commenter instead of attacking their point will probably get your comment deleted.

Treat our users and our guidelines with respect and you'll be fine. As long as you do that, we're happy to have you at the MarianoRivera.com.

Please note that all comments made on entries that are at least 14 days old are moderated.

Your comment:

Name:
E-mail/HTTP:
Please type game

Remember Me