Boone says Yanks take ALCS in 7

Aaron Boone is no longer a Yankee, but his presence will always loom over the left-field corner of the Stadium, where his long drive into the night last fall gave the Yanks a dramatic victory over the Red Sox in Game 7 of the ALCS.

With this year’s postseason version of the rivalry now set, Boone didn’t hesitate when asked for his prediction: “I’ve got to go Yankees in seven,” Boone told the New York Daily News on Saturday night. “It’s clash of the titans, but I think the Yanks will win again.”

When asked who would be playing his part this time around, Boone just laughed. “I don’t think it will be that dramatic,” he said.

After Saturday night’s game, Derek Jeter joked in the clubhouse that the Yankees should have Boone come and throw out the first pitch in Game 1 of this year’s ALCS. When told of Jeter’s comments, Boone chuckled loudly and said, “Yeah, I’ll be there in a few days, sure,” but then said he didn’t know if that would be appropriate.

“I’ll be watching on television, for sure,” he added.

Astros’ hopes hang on Oswalt

Now it’s Roy Oswalt’s turn to try to pitch the Houston Astros to their first playoff series victory.

He can only hope for more help from his bullpen than Roger Clemens got Sunday.

“I like getting the ball on the last day for sure,” Oswalt said. “I’ll have the same approach as any other game.”

Houston wasted a great opportunity to close out the N.L. East champion Braves at home, blowing a three-run lead in a 6-5 loss that sent the first-round series back to Atlanta for today’s decisive Game 5.

Oswalt, the NL’s only 20-game winner this season, will start on three days’ rest against Game 1 loser Jaret Wright. Oswalt pitched on short rest only one time in his career, losing at Los Angeles on July 11.

“He can handle it,” Clemens said. “He’s been our horse all year. We look for good things.”

Rivera to console family

New York Yankees closer Mariano Rivera headed back to Panama, a day after two of his wife’s relatives were electrocuted while cleaning the pool at his home in Panama City.

Victor Dario Avila, a cousin of Rivera’s wife, Clara, and his 14-year-old son were killed Saturday, Rivera’s cousin, Irma Rivera, told the Associated Press.

The teenager, also named Victor Dario Avila, apparently touched an electrical wire while cleaning the pool in Puerto Caimito, 40 miles east of Panama City. His father died trying to save him, Irma Rivera said.

It was not immediately clear when Rivera would return to New York, where the Yankees open the ALCS Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox.

Yankees manager Joe Torre was expected to address the matter during today’s workout at Yankee Stadium.