The Associated Press

BOSTON - David Wells is a longtime, die-hard Babe Ruth fan, and he's doing his best to keep The Curse alive.

Wells worked his way out of trouble to put the New York Yankees on the verge of another World Series, beating the Boston Red Sox 4-2 Tuesday for a 3-2 lead in the AL Championship Series.

Wells, who once wore one of Ruth's caps during a game, sent the Yankees back to the Bronx with two chances to extend Boston's heartache to 85 years.

"I believe in it," he said, meaning the curse that has haunted the team since Ruth was sold to the Yankees in 1920. "That's just my opinion."

New York headed home with Andy Pettitte and Roger Clemens rested and ready for the final two games of the series, which continues today at Yankee Stadium. One win would give the Yankees their fifth AL pennant in six seasons and sixth in eight years under manager Joe Torre.

"We never get overconfident," Yankees captain Derek Jeter said.

Boston planned to start John Burkett, 0-6 against the Yankees in his career in the regular season, against Pettitte in Game 6, holding back Pedro Martinez for a seventh game rather than pitch him on three days' rest. But knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, who has both of his team's wins, said he thought he would be available if the Red Sox wanted him in relief.

"It'll be tough," said Game 5 starter Derek Lowe, who dropped to 0-2 in the series. Still in the minds of the Red Sox is the first-round win over Oakland, when Boston lost the first two games, then won three in a row.

"The clock is ticking on us," Red Sox manager Grady Little said. "This isn't something we've never been through before. We went through this a week ago."

Karim Garcia, who cut a knuckle in Saturday's bullpen scuffle with a member of Boston's grounds crew, was inserted into New York's lineup just before gametime and hit a two-run single in the second. Boston fans taunted Garcia in the ninth with a sing-song chant of "Jailbird."

David Dellucci was slated to start in right field, but Torre told Garcia he was in the lineup after watching him in batting practice.

"His eyes lit up," Torre said. "He thanked me."

Alfonso Soriano followed Garcia's hit with an RBI single - it was the first time either team scored as many as three runs in an inning during the series - and later made a fantastic backflip that helped stifle a Boston rally.

While New York is seeking its 39th AL pennant, Boston is trying to get to the World Series for the first time since 1986. And, as Yankee fans are sure to point out today, the Red Sox haven't won the World Series since 1918.