Mariano Rivera flashed his classic form just in time.

The New York Yankees closer pitched himself in and out of trouble Saturday, escaping a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning and preserving a 2-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

After Mike Mussina pitched six shutout innings, Rivera took over with a 2-0 lead. The Red Sox quickly scored a run and were poised to get more, but Rivera struck out Coco Crisp, got Jason Varitek on a popup and fanned Julio Lugo.

The Yankees won after losing the first two games of the series to Boston.