MLB: New York 8, Boston 7

BOSTON, July 23 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez delivered an RBI single in the ninth inning Friday night that allowed the New York Yankees to outlast Boston, 8-7.

The Yankees extended their lead over the Red Sox in the AL East to 9 1/2 games.

Kevin Millar hit three homers for the Red Sox, but they lost for the third time in four games.

Boston came back from a 7-4 deficit and tied it in the eighth.

But Gary Sheffield doubled with one out in the ninth and came in on a single by Rodriguez. Mariano Rivera then needed just nine pitches in the bottom of the inning to pick up his 35th save in 36 chances.

Derek Jeter returned to the New York lineup after missing two games with a fractured wrist. He was hitless in five at bats.