A-Rod, Thames hit 9th-inning homers off Papelbon as Yankees rally past Red Sox 11-9

A-Rod, Thames rally Yankees past Red Sox 11-9

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez hit a tying homer off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning and Marcus Thames connected moments later for a two-run shot of his own, giving the New York Yankees a wild 11-9 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Monday night.

With one out and a runner on third, Rodriguez hit the first pitch into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center to tie it at 9. Papelbon (1-3) got Robinson Cano to fly out but hit Francisco Cervelli with a pitch before Thames drove his next delivery over the wall in left.

Thames was mobbed at home plate after New York’s first game-ending hit of the season. He also got the customary cream pie in the face from pitcher A.J. Burnett, part of the routine when New York had 15 game-ending hits last year.