(Sports Network) - With their chances of an AL East title now gone by the wayside, the Boston Red Sox tune up for the postseason in the second of three games against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park.

In the opener of this set on Friday, Cody Ransom belted a pair of homers to highlight a 20-hit attack as New York routed Boston, 19-8, in a rain-soaked affair.

The loss eliminated the Red Sox from the AL East race, giving Tampa Bay its first division title in franchise history.

Boston is in the postseason, however, already clinching the AL wild card berth. The Red Sox will travel to Anaheim to open the playoffs against the LA Angels next week.

Ransom, who entered the game in the third inning for an injured Derek Jeter, finished 3-for-3 and scored three runs for the Yankees, who have won eight of their past nine games but had their run of 13-straight playoff appearances dashed earlier in the week.

Two more wins, though, and the Yankees will have their eighth straight 90-win season.

Alfredo Aceves started on the hill and allowed four runs on five hits in four innings. David Robertson (4-0) won it after throwing two innings of scoreless relief.

David Pauley (0-1) started on the hill when Boston erred on the side of caution and scratched star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka after a 91-minute rain delay at the outset of the game. Pauley struggled mightily, surrendering seven runs -- six earned -- on six hits in just 2 2/3 innings.

So, Boston will turn to Matsuzaka this evening, as he tries to win his eighth straight decision. The Japanese right-hander defeated the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, as he scattered two hits over seven scoreless innings to run his record to 18-2, while lowering his earned run average to 2.80.

Matsuzaka beat the Yankees back on April 13 and is 3-1 lifetime against them with a 6.30 ERA in five starts.

The Yankees will hand the ball to righty Sidney Ponson, who is 8-5 with a 5.21 ERA. Ponson hasn't started since September 13 when the Tampa Bay Rays ripped him for four runs and six hits in just 3 1/3 innings. His offense bailed him out of that one, though, as he did not factor in the decision of his team's 6-5 win.

Ponson, who is 4-4 in 15 games (14 starts) with the Yankees, has struggled mightily in his career against the Red Sox, posting a miserable 3-13 ledger with a 6.95 ERA in 22 starts.