NEW YORK -- It may have only postponed the inevitable, but the Red Sox, pride intact, swept a doubleheader from the New York Yankees yesterday, leaving their tragic number frozen at four.

After winning the matinee, 6-3, the Sox rallied from a two-run deficit to score two runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to take the nightcap, 5-4.

"These games were full to be a part of," said manager Terry Francona. "We used our entire roster and everyone contributed. We won two games from a really good team."

The wins gave the Sox the weekend series three games to one. Any combination of four Red Sox losses or Yankee wins in the final two weeks will give the Yanks their ninth consecutive American League East title.

The New York bullpen melted down in the nightcap, as two of the last three runs came via wild pitches. Jason Varitek also provided a run-scoring single in the eighth.

In one of the season's defensive highlights, Coco Crisp made a game-saving catch in the eighth, robbing Jorge Posada of what would have been a two-run homer. Timing his leap perfectly, Crisp reached over the fence in left-center and snared the ball in the webbing of his glove.

Mike Timlin, who had saved the first game, nailed down the second one, too, giving him four saves in the last four days.

Earlier, by virtue of their Game One win, the Sox had ensured that the Yanks couldn't celebrate their clinching in full view of the Sox.

"It's definitely better that they're not celebrating in front of us," said Kevin Youkils. The Sox erupted for four runs in the seventh to snap a 2-2 tie, with Youkilis' bases-clearing three-run double the biggest blow.

Starter Kyle Snyder went five innings, allowing two runs, and didn't get a decision. Bryan Corey , who has been a workhorse this week, got the win with an inning and a third of work. Keith Foulke and Mike Timlin finished up, with Timlin getting his third save since Thursday.

The second win left the Sox with 81 wins, meaning they need just one more to guarantee a winning record.

Another special day

For David Murphy, this has been a season of firsts. In the last two weeks, he's collected his first major-league hit, first extra-base hit and first RBI. Yesterday, he added his first homer -- a drive into the right-field seats, leading off Game One.

Asked which first will be most memorable, Murphy said: "Obviously, they're all going to be great memories. [Yankee Stadium] is a good place to hit the first one, with all the history and great players who've played here."

When the ball got thrown back onto the field by a Yankee fan, first base coach Bill Haselman retrieved it for Murphy.

Another first

Dustin Pedroia started the second game at shortstop, but wasn't in the starting lineup of the first game. He still made a contribution, however, coming off the bench to hit for Alex Cora in the seventh inning and delivering a run-scoring double.

According to Pedroia, it was his first pinch-hitting appearance at any level, including minor leagues, college and high school.

Earlier this season, anticipating that he might be asked to pinch-hit at sometime, he asked veteran utility infielder Enrique Wilson about how to handle the assignment.

"He just said, 'Get a good pitch and hit -- they're looking to get ahead [early in the count], so go up there and be aggressive,' " recounted Pedroia.

Painful encounter

Youkilis suffered a bruised shoulder after a collision with Bernie Williams in the eighth inning of the matinee game.

With Bobby Abreu on first, Williams, pinch-hitting, hit a grounder to second. Abreu was out at second, and Williams, on a close play at first, was nipped at first. However, as Williams hit the bag, he bumped Youkilis, sending him sprawing to the ground. Landing on his shoulder, the first baseman felt it spasm and was scratched from the second game as a precaution.

"It was like a quick jolt," said Youkilis. "I don't think it's a big deal. I should be fine (by tomorrow)."

Around the bases

Wily Mo Pena, who suffered a strained right quad in the late going of Saturday's second game, was held out of both games yesterday and will likely miss a few more days. Pena had the same injury in 2004 and missed two full months, but that pull was far more severe. . . . Mike Lowell smacked his 44th double in the second inning of the second game, tying his career-high. Lowell also had 44 doubles with the Florida Marlins in both 2002 and 2004. . . . On Saturday, Youkilis hit his 40th double, giving the Sox two players with 40 or more two-base hits for the fourth time in the last 15 years. The last time was in 2004 when Ortiz had 47 and Manny Ramirez had 44. . . . The Sox will announce today or tomorrow that they have promoted pitcher Devern Hansack from the Portland Sea Dogs. The Sea Dogs won the Eastern League Championship yesterday with Hansack on the mound. Had they wrapped up the title Saturday night in four games, Hansack would have started for Boston last night. Now, he'll get a chance to join the club, though it's unclear if he'll still get a start. . . . The Sox have two off-days in the next 11 days. . . . Derek Jeter saw his hitting streak stopped at 25 straight games with an 0-for-4 night.

smcadam@projo.com / (401) 277-7340