NEW YORK – Jeremy Hermida hit a tie-breaking, two-run double off Mariano Rivera in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox took advantage of two late errors to rally from five runs down and beat the New York Yankees 7-6 Tuesday night.

New York played the game under protest after beleaguered Boston ace Josh Beckett left with back tightness following Robinson Cano’s two-run double in the fifth that made it 5-0.

The Yankees claimed there was no indication of an injury to Beckett to that point, but reliever Manny Delcarmen was given all the time he needed to warm up after the right-hander was removed.

Beckett missed his previous turn in the rotation because of back spasms.

An error by right fielder Marcus Thames, who hit the game-winning homer in the ninth Monday night off Jonathan Papelbon, helped the Red Sox win. Hermida, a defensive replacement, doubled off Rivera (0-1) to snap a 5-all tie. It was the second straight stumble for Rivera after 51 straight saves at home.

Papelbon recovered from Marco Scutaro’s error at shortstop on Alex Rodriguez’s grounder leading off the ninth to finish with his 10th save after giving up two home runs Monday, a game won by New York, 11-9. He gave up a run on Cano’s double but then got three tough outs.

He pitched up and in on Thames before walking him to put runners on first and third. But he got Juan Miranda to ground out back to the mound and struck out Randy Winn to end it after 4 hours, 9 minutes, the longest nine-inning game in the majors this season, according to STATS LLC.

 

MIKE LOWELL expressed a season’s worth of frustration at his diminished role before the Red Sox faced CC Sabathia and the Yankees.

“It’s a little unfortunate but I think somewhat it’s painfully evident when you don’t have a role on the team,” the right-handed hitting Lowell said about not starting against the lefty after sitting against a right-hander Monday.

In the final season of a $37.5 million, three-year contract, the 2007 World Series MVP is without a position after Boston acquired Adrian Beltre in January to play third base. Earlier in the offseason, the Red Sox had worked out a deal to send Lowell to Texas but the trade fell through because he needed thumb surgery.

Lowell has played in only 20 games, several as a pinch hitter.

“I don’t think I’ve played three consecutive days all year. It’s hard to get on a roll,” he said. “I’m not the kind of guy who’s going to wow you in (batting practice). I’m not going to hit the ball 40 rows deep.”

Lowell: “I’ve truly agonized over it. It’s not good or bad, it’s just reality.”

Red Sox Manager Terry Francona said Lowell has not expressed his frustration to him.

Lowell sat Monday when New York started righty Phil Hughes and was out Tuesday even though he is hitting .286 (6 for 21) against Sabathia while David Ortiz was batting .241 (7 for 29) and Beltre was at .063 (1 for 16).