New York ? Even after an exciting July win against their top rivals, the New York Yankees were worrying about the player who might make the biggest difference come October Mariano Rivera.

After watching Rivera walk off the mound with tightness in his right shoulder following just six pitches, the Yankees rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 9-8 in 11 innings Saturday.

New York's Derek Jeter slides into second base too late as Boston shortstop Nomar Garciaparra turns a double play. The Yankees won 9-8 in 11 innings Saturday at New York.

Robin Ventura’s one-out roller drove in the winning run. But by the time Alfonso Soriano crossed home plate, the Yankees already were focusing on their All-Star closer. Rivera was on the disabled for the second time in his career in June with a strained right groin.

On what was looking like a lost afternoon for the Yankees as a late lead disappeared after Rivera left in the eighth, they rebounded to end Boston’s four-game winning streak.

A sellout crowd of 55,526 saw the Yankees load the bases in the 11th, as Ventura, one of the best bases-loaded hitters ever a .354 average with 15 slams in such situations came to bat.

He hit a slow grounder in the hole to the right side that second baseman Rey Sanchez fielded. But Sanchez had no chance to turn a double play and instead threw home, and Soriano easily beat it.

The play was scored a fielder’s choice. No matter that it was not a hit for Ventura because it was good enough to increase New York’s division lead to three games over Boston. Steve Karsay, (5-4) got the win.

Blue Jays 12, Devil Rays 10

Toronto Shannon Stewart hit a three-run homer in a seven-run fifth inning as Toronto sent Tampa Bay to its 15th loss in 16 games. Steve Parris (3-2) won his third straight start, and Kelvim Escobar earned his 18th save.

The Devil Rays, with the worst record in the majors at 29-66, have lost a team-record 13 in a row on the road and seven straight overall. They have the major leagues’ longest road skid since Philadelphia dropped 14 straight in 1997.

Twins 14, Tigers 4

Detroit Bobby Kielty, playing center field in place of suspended Torii Hunter, went 4-for-4 with a home run, a triple and three RBIs to lead Minnesota past Detroit. David Ortiz homered twice, rookie Michael Cuddyer had his first career home run and four RBIs, and Kielty scored four times as the Twins won their fourth straight.

Minnesota’s Joe Mays (1-2) came off the 60-day disabled list to make his first start since April 14 and allowed three runs in six innings.

Orioles 4, White Sox 3, 14 innings

Baltimore Tony Batista led off the 14th inning with a double and scored on a one-out single by Brook Fordyce off Bob Howry (0-2), giving Baltimore the victory against Chicago. Gary Matthews Jr. had four hits for Baltimore, and Rick Bauer (5-4) worked 21/3 innings as the Orioles moved within a game of .500 (47-48) for the fourth time since May 14.

Athletics 6, Rangers 5

Oakland, Calif. Dave Burba (4-5) hit Olmedo Saenz with the bases loaded and two outs in the bottom of the ninth to score the winning run as Oakland beat Texas.

It was the Rangers’ eighth straight loss, their most since a nine-game streak from June 6-16, 2000. Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 32nd homer of the season for Texas.

Angels 7, Mariners 6

Anaheim, Calif. Troy Glaus hit a three-run homer with two outs in the seventh, and Scott Spiezio’s solo homer snapped a tie in the eighth as Anaheim defeated Seattle.

Anaheim’s second consecutive victory against AL West-leading Seattle left the Angels and Oakland tied for second. Rookie Scot Shields (2-1) earned his second career victory. The right-hander struck out three and walked one.

Shields picked up some dirt and threw it angrily on the mound after giving up a homer to Desi Relaford that tied the game at 6 in the eighth.