Giambi's foul popup on Okajima's first pitch faded just enough to land on top of the dugout, and the slugger drove the next delivery off the front facing of the black batter's eye in center for his third career pinch-hit homer and second this season.

Lester sat stone-faced in the Boston dugout as Giambi circled the bases and the crowd roared. He came out for a curtain call, now 3-for-8 with two homers against Okajima.

Looking for his 267th win and 17th this season, Mussina gave the Yankees the strong start they lacked in the first two games of this series. He allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings.

With his 2,774th strikeout, the 39-year-old right-hander passed Frank Tanana for 20th place on the career list.

Lester was even better, shutting down New York for the third time this season. He struck out eight and walked none.

Lester and Mussina matched zeros until the fifth, when Boston rookie Jed Lowrie singled with one out and Alex Cora was hit by a pitch. Jason Varitek followed with an RBI single and speedy Jacoby Ellsbury beat out a potential double-play ball to make it 2-0.

Mussina, a six-time Gold Glove winner, saved a run with an astoundingly quick stab of Ellsbury's liner to end the seventh.

Notes: Boston RHP Josh Beckett (elbow) was scratched from his scheduled start Friday night against the Chicago White Sox and will be examined by Dr. James Andrews in Alabama. ... After fouling out in the sixth, A-Rod banged his bat against the rack nearly 10 times before taking a seat. ... RF Mark Kotsay doubled in his first plate appearance with Boston. He had one hit in his final 17 at-bats with the Atlanta Braves before they traded him Wednesday. ... Lester and Mussina each hit two batters with pitches. ... All-Star RF J.D. Drew, on the disabled list with a strained lower back, returned to Boston and will be examined Friday. He might have an epidural injection to relieve the pain, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. ... Part-time 1B Sean Casey (stiff neck) also will be examined Friday in Boston.