Mysterious Toss at Fenway Adds Drama to Rivera’s 9th (RR)

Mariano Rivera, it turned out, was involved in a bit of drama even before he took the mound during the Yankees’ 4-3 victory against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday night.

After Derek Jeter homered in the eighth inning to give the Yankees a three-run lead at Fenway Park, Rivera got up to stretch in the Yankees’ bullpen, which is located in right field, adjacent to the Red Sox’ bullpen but closer to the foul pole. As Rivera clasped his hands together, a ball struck his pinkies, leaving the one on his throwing hand numb.

Rivera said he was not certain where the ball came from. At first, he said, he thought it had been thrown from the stands. But he ruled out that possibility because of the ball’s angle.

He highly suspected the ball was thrown from the Red Sox’ bullpen. He did not suspect any shenanigans, however, saying that errant pitches from the bullpens at Fenway Park were not uncommon. “I’m sure it was just an error,” said Rivera, who added that he did not receive an apology from Boston. “Sometimes, we airmail the ball.”