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Sox, Yanks start series tonight at Fenway

First place in the American League East will be on the line when the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees renew hostilities tonight at Fenway Park. The first pitch will be just after 7 o'clock. The Red Sox enter the series ahead of New York by a game and a half. Unlike the last time the Yankees came to town, the forecast is for calm, though cool, weather tonight. The struggling Curt Schilling will take the mound for the Red Sox, while Chien-Ming Wang starts for the Yankees.

The Yanks enter Fenway a banged up squad, with seven players on the disabled list. Starting pitcher Shawn Chacon became the seventh when the team put him on the disabled list, effective Sunday. The Yankees called up veteran outfielder Terrence Long from Triple-A Columbus to take Chacon's roster spot. In the meantime, the Bronx Bombers signed a veteran free agent, Erubiel Durazo, to bolster their ailing offense. Durazo signed a minor-league contract and will be assigned to one of the team's farm squads.

General manager Brian Cashman says more signings could be coming, including possibly free agent outfielder Richard Hidalgo.

But the real story for the Yankees, aside from tonight's game, will be Gary Sheffield, who will make a rehab appearance tonight in New Britain, Conn., for Double-A Trenton. Nothing in the short term could help New York's outfield more than a healthy return by Sheffield, who injured his wrist on April 29. If all goes well for Sheffield tonight, he could be ready to play in Boston tomorrow.

Posted by Mike McDermott  at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments 2