Damon improved his average to .538 in 13 at-bats against Lowe. The two were teammates when Boston won the 2004 World Series.

Lowe, who pitched last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers, had gone 37 straight starts without losing three straight. Making his 40th career appearance, including 16 starts, against New York, Lowe dropped to 8-11 and raised his ERA to 6.41 when facing the Yankees.

NOTES: Jeter has 14 hits in his past 36 at-bats (.389). ... New York manager Joe Girardi said Rodriguez, who missed two starts last week because of fatigue, will be in the lineup all three games this weekend. .... Yankees ace CC Sabathia returned to New York to rest for his start Friday. Sabathia left his last start Sunday at Florida after feeling tightness his left biceps. ... Braves RHP Javier Vazquez walked as a pinch-hitter in the fifth.