Stephen Drew plated Thursday's tying run in the ninth inning ... off Mariano Rivera

Mariano Rivera has been so good for so long that even opposing teams are honoring him with gifts. He's just that legendary.

But on Thursday night, in a classic Red Sox-Yankees matchup, the Yankees closer was merely human. Rivera allowed a game-tying hit to shortstop Stephen Drew and Boston went on to win the game 9-8.