A ball hit by Boston’s Manny Ramirez sails over Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera for a second-inning homer last night.

AP / Julie Jacobson

NEW YORK — The Yankees obviously took exception to Manny Ramirez tearing into them last night.

The Red Sox slugger showcased his offensive prowess and dealt New York’s pitching staff a huge blow with a pair of home runs, a single, three RBI and three runs scored to lead Boston to a 7-5 victory at Yankee Stadium.

New York’s disgust was evident in the top of the seventh inning, when Yankees reliever Kyle Farnsworth threw his first offering to Ramirez high and tight, which made home-plate umpire Larry Vanover issue warnings to both dugouts. Maybe it was the two homers that caused Farnsworth to throw a fastball near Ramirez’s head, or maybe it was a little retribution for the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez getting drilled Wednesday.

Either way, it didn’t seem to bother Ramirez.

“We hit one of the best players here (Wednesday) night, so I guess they just want to send a message,” he said. “They need to back up their players and compete. . . I just like to compete and I like challenge.”

His two homers last night were career numbers 494 and 495. Ramirez was asked whether he was getting excited about 500 and he shrugged it off.

“Not really,” he said. “Because I’m going to 600.”

What about 700?

“The sky’s the limit,” he answered. “Why not?”

Ramirez wasn’t the only one to keep the Yankees at bay as Red Sox starter Josh Beckett improved to 2-1 this season after working eight solid innings, allowing just three runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

Not one for public speaking, the right-hander gave all the credit to Ramirez.

“He’s pretty good, huh?” he said. “Hopefully he’ll invite me to his Hall of Fame speech.”

Whenever Ramirez’s career is over, he’ll be able to look back and enjoy the statistics he put up against the Yankees.

In fact, he could go down as one of the best Yankee killers of all-time and last night he continued his streak.

His 160 career RBI against the Yankees are his most versus any other club. It’s also the highest total against a single team by any active player.

That’s not all because his numbers against New York since 2006 are staggering. Ramirez is hitting .452 (55-for-115) with 14 homers and 38 RBI in 33 games. Ramirez now has 55 career homers against the Bronx Bombers, which is the most against any opponent in his career.

Not bad for the New York City native.

“Maybe I’m just lucky,” he said.

Ramirez gave Boston a 1-0 lead with his first homer of the game in the top of the second inning, a solo shot to deep center field off New York starter Mike Mussina, who lasted just three innings and allowed five runs on seven hits.

“He just gave me a good pitch to drive and I just drove it,” Ramirez said.

The Red Sox produced a 4-spot in the third inning by manufacturing runs. With one out, Jacoby Ellsbury was hit by a pitch for the second time in as many at-bats.

He stole second for second time in the game and reached third on a throwing error by Yankees catcher Chad Moeller. Pedroia provided a RBI-single.

With two outs in the inning, Ramirez struck again.

He absolutely crushed a two-run homer to deep left field and as he rounded the bases the 55,088 in attendance booed him as Boston had a 4-0 lead.

“I just love the game,” he said. “I like to play the game and I don’t worry about that.”

Of course it’s still early in the season, but there were whispers at Yankee Stadium last night that if Ramirez can continue this pace maybe he’ll become the first player since Carl Yastrezemski to win the Triple Crown.

“You don’t look at that, yet,” said Red Sox first baseman Sean Casey. “If anyone is capable, he has the ability to do that. There are a handful of guys who can do it, and Manny is one of those guys. He’s an RBI machine and he still hits a lot of home runs. With his swing and how he can hit to all fields; he can hit for average, too.”

It quite clear Ramirez is locked in right now, but by talking to him you would never know it.

“I don’t think much,” he said. “I just love my job and love to compete.”

Even when a fastball is surging toward his head.

jmcdonal@projo.com