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  Friday, May 26 7:05pm ET
Yankees (and a fan) take a tumble
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME LOG

NEW YORK (AP) -- When it comes to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, anything can happen. On the field, or in the stands.
Bernie Williams
Bernie Williams of the Yankees went 1-for-4 Friday night.
In a game interrupted when a fan fell from the upper deck onto the screen behind home plate, Boston beat the Yankees 4-1 Friday night on the pitching of Ramon Martinez.

"I've never seen anything like that before," Martinez said after a man tumbled onto the netting. "Only in the movies."

The fan, identified as Stephen Laurenzi, 24, of Yonkers, N.Y., was briefly unconscious as he was sprawled on the screen. Able to walk later, he was arrested on a charge of disorderly conduct, police Lt. John Roeder said.

Laurenzi was taken to a hospital for observation. Police said he was OK.

Mike Stanley hit a two-run homer and Carl Everett had a two-run single as Boston broke a first-place tie with the Yankees in the AL East. New York, which eliminated the Red Sox in the playoffs last year, has lost nine of 13.

The game marked the start of the Yankees' no-alcohol policy in the bleachers. The bleachers usually hold the most rowdy fans at Yankee Stadium, but the crowd of 54,470 was startled by what happened in the upper deck in the third inning.

With Wilson Delgado of the Yankees batting, a fan identified as Stephen Laurenzi of Yonkers, N.Y., fell headfirst onto the netting behind the plate. As play continued for two more outs, the fan remained motionless for about five minutes before suddenly sitting up and raising both arms high.

"He popped up in a drunken stupor and started waving to the crowd," losing pitcher David Cone said.

Some fans cheered, apparently thinking he was unhurt, while others booed, believing it was a stunt. Police said it was unclear what occurred, unsure whether Laurenzi jumped or fell.

"It was scary because he didn't move," Yankees manager Joe Torre said. "You thought he broke his neck or something."

Laurenzi then crawled his way into the middle of the ballpark's three decks, leaving a wallet on the screen. Able to walk, he was led away in handcuffs by security personnel.

"Loosen the cuffs, man, they're too tight," he told officers.

After the Yankees finished batting in the third, the game was halted for six minutes while players on both teams and the umpires moved in for a closer look. Beneath the fan, stadium security officers, police and emergency workers gathered with a stretcher, just in case. "I've seen a lot of different things, this just adds to them," Red Sox manager Jimy Williams said.

In a game on Aug. 23, 1989, between the Red Sox and Yankees in New York, a 24-year-old man jumped onto the netting. He was not hurt and was charged with reckless endangerment.

The Red Sox and Yankees started a stretch in which they play each other 10 times in 28 days. Aside from the first week of the 1995 season, the longtime rivals had not meet when tied for first place since their famous one-game playoff for the AL East title on Oct. 2, 1978.

Martinez (4-3) allowed seven hits, including Clay Bellinger's home run, in 7 2/3 innings. He struck out five and walked none.

Derek Lowe pitched the ninth for his 10th save.

Cone (1-4), in his 10th start of the season, made a bad decision that cost him in the first. With runners at the corners, he fielded Brian Daubach's comebacker and, rather try for an inning-ending double play, trapped Jeff Frye off third.

"I think Coney forgot about the guy on first," Everett said.

The ensuing rundown left runners at second and third, and Everett followed with his single. Stanley homered in the third.

Game notes
The Yankees hope to activate SS Derek Jeter, on the disabled list with an abdominal strain, for Saturday's game. He played for Class A Tampa on Friday night and went 2-for-3 and was flawless in the field. "I'm out of here at 10:30," Jeter said. "I'm anxious to get back regardless of who we're playing. Obviously it's a big series, but at this point you've been away so long I'm just looking forward to playing again." ... The Red Sox hope to activate SS Nomar Garciaparra from the disabled list Saturday. He's been out since May 12 because of a strained left hamstring. ... 2B Chuck Knoblauch was a late scratch from the Yankees lineup because of a strained left forearm. ... Jose Offerman was out of Boston's lineup. He left Wednesday's game because of a strained left groin. ... LHP Allen Watson was activated from the disabled list and pitched to one batter, giving up a single to Troy O'Leary.

 


ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard

Boston Clubhouse

NY Yankees Clubhouse


Yanks' Jeter expected back Saturday

Yankees fan arrested after falling from upper deck


RECAPS
Baltimore 8
Oakland 3

Toronto 8
Detroit 2

Boston 4
NY Yankees 1

Seattle 11
Tampa Bay 4

Chi. White Sox 5
Cleveland 3

Kansas City 9
Anaheim 4

Minnesota 10
Texas 2

Cincinnati 3
Florida 2

Houston 5
Atlanta 4

NY Mets 5
St. Louis 2

Pittsburgh 2
Colorado 1

Arizona 9
Milwaukee 2

San Diego 6
Montreal 2

Los Angeles 11
Philadelphia 4

San Francisco 5
Chicago Cubs 3

AUDIO/VIDEO
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 Ramon Martinez shuts down Yankees
avi: 1770 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

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 Rivalry? It's just another game for Carl Everett.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6

 Ramon Martinez feels he can pitch well consistently.
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