NEW YORK — Tim Wakefield has already suffered a career low point in Yankee Stadium. So if last night was, as he fervently hopes, his last start at the historic ballpark, it constitutes a high.

Returning from the disabled list after a three-week absence, Wakefield beat the Yankees for the first time in more than two seasons, yielding three runs in five innings in a convincing 7-3 defeat of the Yankees.

To commemorate the achievement, Wakefield secured a couple of game balls. Yankee visiting clubhouse manager Lou Cucuzza scooped up some dirt from the mound to further mark the occasion.

“It’s pretty special,” acknowledged Wakefield, who surrendered a game-winning homer to Aaron Boone in Game Seven of the 2003 ALCS. “This is a cathedral of sports. To walk on this hallowed ground, where so many great players have played, is pretty special. … Knowing it’s my last start here, against a great team, it was very special.”

A victory anywhere would have been significant for Wakefield, who missed most of this month with shoulder issues, the same malady that forced him to the sideline twice last season, most notably in the World Series.

As he rehabilitated the shoulder, he chose not to make any starts in the minor leagues, as is custom for most pitchers out for an extended period. But working on the side, with the help of pitching coach John Farrell, Wakefield pushed himself, replicating game situations while strengthening the shoulder.

“Tonight,” said a satisfied Wakefield, “was the result of a lot of hard work.”

Two of the runs Wakefield allowed came on solo homers from former teammate Johnny Damon, who twice hit knucklers down the right-field line.

But otherwise, Wakefield was in command. “I thought it was good, considering that he had not pitched in a while,” said manager Terry Francona. “He didn’t have his best knuckleball tonight, but it was plenty for his first time back.”

After five innings and 80 pitches, Francona determined Wakefield had done enough in his return, though Wakefield said he felt strong enough to go another inning.

The win snapped a long personal winless streak for Wakefield, who came into last night with a 0-5 record and an 8.91 ERA in those outings.

“It’s just one of those things I can’t explain,” said Wakefield of his futile stretch against the Yankees.

Last night, he got the win — and the souvenirs to prove it.

smcadam@projo.com