PROFILES » ow many catches he had or how close to the record he was.

BOSTON -- Mariano Rivera has jogged from the right-field bullpen to the Fenway Park mound a number of times in his 18-year career. Hes probably never been greeted like he was by the rival Red Sox fans on Saturday. Rivera entered to a nice ovation and worked a scoreless ninth inning for his 31st save, closing out a strong effort by New Yorks pitchers that carried the Yankees to a 5-2 victory. "I always love to pitch here, always," the 43-year old Rivera said. "Yankee Stadiums home, but I love to come here. Its a great atmosphere. Weve played big games here. Its always good." Lyle Overbay and Brett Gardner each collected three hits and drove in a run to back Hiroki Kurodas seven strong innings. David Robertson worked a scoreless eighth, setting the stage for Rivera, the All-Star game MVP. "That doesnt surprise me," Overbay said of Riveras ovation. "He deserves it. I think everybodys embracing what hes done as a pitcher, so its well-deserving and shows you the respect they have for him." Rivera could smile when he was reminded about a standing ovation he got on opening day in 2005, the year after Boston rallied from a 3-0 deficit against New York in the American League Championship series en route to the World Series title. "Thats what happened," he said. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the injury-riddled Yankees, who hope to be bolstered by the return of captain Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez soon. Mike Carp had three hits and scored a run for the Red Sox. It was just Bostons second loss in its last 11 games in Fenway. In a matchup of veteran right-handers, Kuroda and John Lackey both mostly relied on fastballs in the low 90s with hard sliders to go along with outstanding control. The pair combined for just one walk -- by Kuroda -- and threw a high percentage of strikes. "It was a close game all along, so I had to be careful with my pitches," Kuroda said through a translator. "But when they gave me the run support, I think I was able to be more bold." Kuroda (9-6) gave up two runs and five hits, striking out four with a pair of wild pitches -- one that led to a run. Robinson Cano added two RBIs. "I think what was most impressive was, in these conditions, to be able to touch 95 in the sixth, seventh innings against the meat of our order when he needed it," Boston manager John Farrell said of the 38-year-old Kuroda. "Hes a very good pitcher and had a good day today." The game was tight when Lackey left with a pair of runners on, trailing 2-0 in the seventh. New York then built its lead to 4-0 in the inning on consecutive RBI singles by Cano and Overbay against reliever Matt Thornton. Lackey (7-7) was charged with four runs on 10 hits in 6 1-3 innings, striking out seven. It snapped a stretch of six consecutive starts when he allowed two or fewer runs, and was just the third time in his 17 starts this season hes given up more than three. "With how good their guy pitched, it doesnt really matter," Lackey said of being in a tight game. "Im kind of used to it. A lot of mine have been like that this year. Its kind of been fun." Jonny Gomes had a sacrifice fly and Carp scored on Kurodas wild pitch, cutting it to 4-2 in the seventh. Pitching in sweltering conditions with a game-time temperature of 91 with oppressive humidity, the pair battled through four scoreless innings until New York took a 1-0 lead in the fifth on Gardners two-out, RBI single. It appeared the Yankees had squandered a good chance when they had a runner cut down at the plate on Luis Cruzs grounder to short. But Cruz, who reached on the fielders choice on the play, advanced on a wild pitch before Gardners soft liner up the middle just got past the glove of diving second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Eduardo Nunez had a leadoff single, stole second, and was sacrificed, but was thrown out by Stephen Drew. Cruzs RBI single made it 2-0 in the seventh before Cano and Overbay added their hits. Boston also had a runner nailed at the plate when Carp was tagged out by Kuroda in the fifth, ending the inning after his pitch ticked off the glove of catcher Stewart and about 20 feet behind the plate. NOTES: Farrell said before the game that OF Shane Victorino "felt better than I think he expected to feel" after leaving Fridays game with left hamstring tightness. Farrell also said "we expect him back in the lineup (Sunday)." ... Boston moved LHP Jon Lester back a few days and will send right-hander Ryan Dempster (5-8, 4.24 ERA) in the series finale against the Yankees CC Sabathia (9-8, 4.07 ERA) on Sunday night. ... Count Sabathia as one that really enjoyed the four-day All-Star break. In fact, he didnt even know that teammate Cano got plunked on the right knee in the midsummer classic until he heard from one of the coaches before his flight to Boston. "I was just hoping he didnt come in on crutches," he said, smiling. "It was good to get the four days. I got away from baseball. As far as anything going on (with the All-Star game or Home Run Derby), I didnt know anything." ... At the Yankees complex in Tampa, Fla., C Francisco Cervelli (right hand and elbow) said he has started hitting drills in an indoor cage and OF Curtis Granderson (broken pinkie), expected back early next month, ran the bases during a simulated game but did not hit. He is taking batting practice. ... The start was delayed 21 minutes because of a threat of thunderstorms in the area. Deebo Samuel Jersey . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Dwight Clark Jersey .C. -- After a listless first half, the Washington Wizards used a big third quarter run to beat the Charlotte Bobcats Bradley Beal scored 21 points and the Wizards used a 17-0 run in the third quarter to take control of what had been a close game and beat the Bobcats 97-83 on Tuesday night. http://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Dee-Ford-Jersey/ . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. Steve Young Youth Jersey . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Nick Bosa Womens Jersey . The catch: It needs a lot of money, and it needs it fast.Dominic Cork thinks the ECB are ‘wrong’ to instruct Alastair Cook to wear a new approved helmet. The England captain reluctantly ditched his old headwear in favour of an ECB-compliant helmet for Essexs County Championship match with Sussex at Hove, during which he scored one in the first innings and an unbeaten 127 in the second.Former England all-rounder Cork feels players should make their own choice with regards to helmets and says they could even sign a waiver if they choose not to adopt the ECB-preferred model. Former England captain Nasser Hussain thinks Alastair Cook should be able to decide which style of helmet he wears I think it is wrong for the ECB to be telling the England captain that he has to change to his visor, Cork told Sky Sports News HQ.I get the safety element that is needed for children and academy players but it should be down to the player - if he feels it is right to go down his route, then he should. If itt means they have to sign a disclaimer, then great.dddddddddddd.I just find it hard that the ECB are trying to tell county cricketers and England cricketers that they have to change a visor or put in one that doesnt move. Cook is 36 runs shy of 10,000 in Test matches Cooks century at Hove was his second of the County Championship campaign, with the left-hander also striking 105 against Gloucestershire in his first game of the season.Hampshires James Vince, meanwhile, scored 119 against defending champions Yorkshire at Headingley this week and Cork reckons his former county colleague should now join Cook in the England Test team.Vince is a must, Cork said of the 25-year-old, who played once for England in the recent World T20 in India, making 22 from 18 balls against Afghanistan. County team of the week Cook and Vince make this weeks XI I have been calling for him to be in the England side in all forms for some time as he is a sensational player.He has matured as a person and as a batsman and I think now is the time to give him the responsibility of batting five or six for England in Test cricket and let him show he is the real deal.Watch Englands three-Test series with Sri Lanka, live on Sky Sports, starting with the first Test at Headingley from 10am on Thursday, May 19. Also See: Cook hits ton for Essex County team of the week England fixtures/results Lancs earn opening win ' ' '