Alex Rodriguez struggles as Red Sox win

Alex Rodriguez flopped all night when the New York Yankees needed a big hit against the Boston Red Sox.

Jason Bay drove in two runs, David Ortiz had a strong game at the plate and the Red Sox got an outstanding effort from the bullpen yesterday to close out the opener of a key three-game series, 7-3.

Johnny Damon homered twice for the Yankees, but Rodriguez grounded into two double plays — one with the bases loaded — and struck out for the final out.

"Tonight, you can put it on me," Rodriguez said. "It was a lousy night. We pretty much screwed it up every way you can screw it up."

The three-time most valuable player finished 0 for 5 and was booed loudly as New York fell six games behind Boston, which leads the AL wild-card race by 2 1/2 games over Minnesota.

Rodriguez, who also committed an error at third base, is one for 10 with the bases loaded this season, 0 for 7 with fewer than two outs.