BOSTON - Coming out of the All-Star break, the Yankees were much the same team they were throughout the first half of the season, injured, scrappy and rather underwhelming.
There was still no Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez, or Curtis Granderson, or Mark Teixeira or Kevin Youkilis, and still no dominating performance from Andy Pettitte.
The backups, understudies and relative unknowns who had helped carry the Yankees to respectability before the All-Star break were hoping that a big opening salvo against the division-leading Boston Red Sox might provide some much-needed momentum.
But the Red Sox held serve in the first game of a three-game series, winning 4-2, casting the Yankees seven games behind them in the American League East.
Pettitte allowed four runs in six and one-third innings and fell to 7-7.
Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury hit the second pitch Pettitte threw over the right field wall for a leadoff home run, and Jonny Gomes hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Pettitte settled down to throw four scoreless innings, but after the Yankees had rallied to draw within a run, 3-2, in the fifth, the Red Sox scored another run that was charged to Pettitte on a that the rookie Jose Iglesisa hit off relief pitcher Shawn Kelly.
When Red Sox closer Koji Uehara got the final out in the ninth for his ninth save, he jumped in the air and pumped his fist before hugging the catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, signaling the Red Sox excitement over beating the Yankees, no matter which players were wearing their road gray uniforms.
The loss left the Yankees at 51-45, with two more games left against Boston, followed by a four-game series in Texas, three games at home against the surging Tampa Bay Rays, and then a West Coast trip. The season could be hanging in the balance.
The Yankees temporarily lost the services of center fielder Brett Gardner, who was ejected by home plate umpire Mike Everitt in the fifth inning for throwing his helmet in anger.
The Yankees were trailing by a run at the time, but threatening to even the score with Chris Stewart on second base and two outs in the sixth. Gardner drew a full count and then was called out on strikes by Everitt.
The pitch was a little bit low and Gardner, in frustration, immediately took off his helmet with two hands and tomahawked it to the dirt about 15 feet in front of him. Everitt without hesitation threw him out of the game. Gardner initially protested, but was escorted off by third base coach Rob Thomson. Joe Girardi assumed command of the argument, but did not appear to come away with any satisfaction.
Luis Cruz replaced Gardner at the top of the batting order, and the Yankees had to reconfigure their defensive alignment, moving Ichiro Suzuki to center, and Brent Lillibridge from third base to right field. Lillibridge was called up from Class AAA Scranton earlier in the day to replace Derek Jeter, who was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list with a Grade 1 strain of the quadriceps in his right leg. Cruz replaced Lillibridge at third base.
Gardner scored the Yankees' first run in the fourth after he drew a walk. With one out, he avoided a pickoff attempt and stole second with Robinson Cano at the plate. Then he stole third, and when Saltalamacchia's throw went into left field, he trotted home safely.
In the fifth Lyle Overbay doubled and scored two outs later on a double by Chris Stewart off the left field wall. That brought Gardner to the plate with a chance to tie it, but instead came his strikeout and ejection.
INSIDE PITCH
The young Yankee left fielder Zoilo Almonte left Friday's game with a sprained ankle. X-Rays taken at Fenway Park were negative. ...General Manager Brian Cashman said pitcher David Phelps, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a right forearm strain, will make a minor league rehabilitation start on Tuesday.
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