Notes: Pesky raises banner, gets ring at age 85

That's because he blew two saves in a three-game series against Boston in New York last week and has blown four in a row against the Red Sox - including two in Boston's stunning comeback from a 3-0 deficit in the ALCS last year.

And when Rivera heard the cheers he smiled broadly and waved his cap.

"It was funny," he said after the game, flashing another wide smile. "I wasn't expecting that."

Said Curt Schilling: "The fans aren't stupid and he got it. I'm sure at the end of the year his numbers will be fine."

In another unusual fan reaction, Rivera was booed in Yankee Stadium last Wednesday when he blew a save and took the loss in the Red Sox's 7-3 win.

Since the start of the 2001 season, he has 12 blown saves against Boston and 16 against all other teams combined. He also has 336 saves, eighth on the career list, plus a record 32 in the postseason -- 17 more than Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley, who ranks second.

Mirabelli provides deep relief

Doug Mirabelli usually catches every fifth day for the Red Sox, whenever knuckleballer Tim Wakefield pitches. He's good at flagging down Wakefield's fluttering pitches but also hit a two-run homer for the first runs Monday.

"I'm just glad I got a hit," he said. "From a team standpoint it helped us out a lot."

The homer came in the second inning, less than an hour after the pregame ceremony ended.

"It's such a blur at that time you're waiting your turn to walk down the red carpet and go get your ring," Mirabelli said. "You just try to soak up as much of the atmosphere as you can."