BOSTON -- Jacoby Ellsbury started off the second half for the Boston Red Sox in the best possible way. Ellsbury hit Andy Pettittes second pitch of the game over the right-field bullpen, and Johnny Gomes added a two-run shot in the second inning to help the Red Sox return from the All-Star break with a 4-2 victory over the depleted New York Yankees on Friday night. "It seems like hes been hitting .700," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "His timing has been much more Jacoby-like. And his ability to get on base speaks for itself with the havoc he can create." Felix Doubront outpitched Pettitte in the opener of the three-game series to help AL East-leading Boston maintain a 2 1/2-game lead over Tampa Bay in the division and open a seven-game cushion over its fourth-place rivals from New York. "You cant take too much of it, but obviously this is an important stretch for us that we are in," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "We understand that. The next three teams we play are all in front of us. We need to play well." Ellsbury also singled in the third inning and reached on a walk in the seventh to support Doubront (7-3), who allowed three or fewer earned runs for the 12th start in a row. Doubront has six quality starts against the Yankees in six tries. The last Red Sox pitcher to open his career with as many quality starts, defined as six innings pitched and three or fewer runs allowed, against the Yankees was Dutch Leonard -- in 1913-15. "Look at the last two months. Hes pitched extremely well since the end of May," Girardi said. "And hes been tough on us." Ellsbury hit .360 in June and is batting .370 in July, putting together a 19-game hitting streak that was snapped just before the break. He had three hits in the first-half finale, then went 2 for 3 on Friday night to raise his average to .308. "Not the way you want to start the second half, first batter of the game hitting a home run off you," Pettitte said. "Cant keep going out there and giving up 2-3-4 runs in the first or second inning. ... The long ball hurt me." Doubront held a Yankees lineup without Derek Jeter and a handful of other regulars hitless until Lyle Overbay doubled to lead off the fifth inning. In all, the Red Sox left-hander gave up two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and three walks while striking out five in 6 1-3 innings. Koji Uehara pitched the ninth for his ninth save. Pettitte (7-7) gave up four runs on six hits and a walk, striking out four in 6 1-3 innings. Three days after the New York Mets showed their support for the city in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombings by playing "Sweet Caroline" at the All-Star game, the Red Sox thanked the Yankees by playing "New York, New York." The Yankees made their first visit to Fenway Park this season for the first game after the break, and Robinson Cano played after being hit on the knee by a pitch in the All-Star game. But the lineup barely resembled the team New Yorkers thought would be wearing pinstripes at this point in the season. Jeter was placed on the disabled list before the game -- hes spent all but one game there this season -- and the Yankees are also missing third baseman Alex Rodriguez, first baseman Mark Teixeira (wrist surgery), outfielder Curtis Granderson (broken pinkie) and catcher Francisco Cervelli (broken hand). The lineup was further depleted when left fielder Zoilo Almonte came out of the game in the fifth inning with a left ankle sprain; X-rays were negative. And centre fielder Brett Gardner took himself out when, after being called out on a 3-2 pitch to end the top of the fifth, he slammed his helmet on the ground and was ejected by home plate umpire Mike Everitt. "I have to have better control of my emotions. I put us in a bad spot and caused some guys to play out of position," Gardner said. "I was frustrated. I feel I let the team down and Im sorry for that." That left the Yankees ill-equipped to come back after Boston took a 3-0 lead on the homers. New York made it 3-1 when Gardner walked, stole second and scored when he stole third and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchias throw went into left field. Chris Stewart doubled home Overbay in the fifth to cut the deficit to one run. The Red Sox added a run in the seventh, then Ichiro Suzuki singled over the shortstops glove and Cano doubled to put runners on second and third with one out in the eighth. But Craig Breslow got Vernon Wells to fly out weakly to short and Luis Cruz grounded to shortstop; Jose Iglesias throw pulled first baseman Mike Napoli off the bag, but he made the tag for the third out. Notes: The Yankees put Jeter on the disabled list before the game with a strained right quadriceps. ... The Yankees signed INF Brent Lillibridge from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. ... Pettitte had allowed just 19 hits in 100 at-bats against lefties coming into the game before Ellsbury hit a leadoff homer. It was the third homer against him by a lefty in his last four starts. ... Boston OF Shane Victorino left the game with left hamstring tightness. ... It was the latest the Yankees have played their first game of the season at Fenway, except for the strike-shortened season of 1981. ... The Red Sox placed RHP Andrew Bailey on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to July 13) with a right shoulder strain. To fill his spot on the 25-man roster, right-hander Jose De La Torre was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket. Cheap Atlanta Braves Jerseys . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Cheap Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . -- Tony Stewart is 20 pounds lighter and has a titanium rod in his surgically repaired right leg. http://www.cheapmlbjerseysoutlet.com/?tag=cheap-oakland-athletics-jerseys . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Cheap Boston Red Sox Jerseys . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. Authentic MLB Gear Store . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. PHILADELPHIA -- The Flyers wanted their Big 5-0 bash to end in celebration.The Ducks had more fun crashing the party.Ryan Garbutts goal broke a tie in the third period and sent the Anaheim Ducks to their first win of the season, 3-2 over the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night.The Ducks opened 0-3-1 and had failed to score more than two goals in any of those games. Chris Wagner and Corey Perry also scored to help the Ducks spoil Philadelphias home opener.About time we won a hockey game, thats for sure, coach Randy Carlyle said.Korbinian Holzers angled pass from behind the net led to Garbutts one-timer that stunned Steve Mason for the winner.That was a great pass from Holzer. One of the best plays Ive seen from a D man from behind the net, Garbutt said. It was fun to be on the other end of it.Wayne Simmonds and Matt Read scored for the Flyers. The Flyers have lost all three games since winning on opening night and dropped to 27-16-6 lifetime in home openers.Were in a little bit of a hole here but its the beginning of the year. No need to panic, Simmonds said.John Gibson stopped 20 shots for the Ducks.The Flyers opened their 50th anniversary celebration with a tribute to their founder and owner Ed Snider, who died of cancer in April. The Flyers raised a banner to the rafters with his name, team crest and 1967-2016 (years owned) on the memento. Sniders banner was sandwiched between the one celebrating the 1975 Stanley Cup championship and one for Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke. Clarke -- widely considered the greatest Flyer.Members of Sniders family walked a black carpet and helped raise the banner that joined the same row that included ones for two Stanley Cup championships and five retired numbers.Snider was arguably the most influential executive in Philadelphia sports history. He was chairman of the 76ers basketball team, was once a part-owner of the Eagles football team, and had a hand in founding Comcasts local sports channel and the citys largest sports-talk radio station.Ed Snider will forever be a part of the Philadelphia Flyers, annnouncer Lou Nolan told the crowd.ddddddddddddSnider received the loudest ovation during a memorial tribute to some of the franchises greatest names. Pelle Lindbergh, Barry Ashbee, Roger Neilson, and God Bless America singer Kate Smith all were included. The video included a clip of the late voice of the Flyers Gene Hart saying his Philly famous phrase, Good night and good hockey.Nolan had scolded fans during last seasons playoffs when they hurled promotional bracelets on the ice during a lopsided loss. He had urged fans to show some class during the first wave of band tossing. The Flyers issued a similar warning before the opener when they tried another bracelet giveaway as the attraction of a glitzy pregame show. The fans heeded the warning this time and keep the bracelets on their wrists instead of on the ice.On opening night, it still didnt take much to anger Flyers fans.Wagner scored the only goal of the first and the Flyers failed to convert on late power plays that let them get booed off the ice headed into intermission.Simmonds scored his third goal of the season and Read followed with his surprising fourth in the second to lift the Flyers to a 2-1 lead. Simmonds goal came on the power play but the Flyers missed on six other attempts through two periods.They blocked shots. They cleared pucks, Perry said. They did everything they were asked to do. When youre killing penalties thats what you have to do.Perry did his part, too. He tied the game 2-all with 3:18 left in the second to match anemic Anaheims highest goal total for a game this season.Game notes The Ducks averaged 1.75 goals through the first four games. ... Flyers F Brayden Schenn returned from a three-game suspension. He served a suspension for a charging incident in last seasons playoffs.UP NEXTDUCKS: The Ducks return from a season-opening five-game road trip on Sunday and host Vancouver in their home opener.FLYERS: Host Carolina on Saturday. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '