From the start of Mariano Rivera’s two innings of relief yesterday, he teased the Red Sox. He allowed them to feel as if they were about to score before ultimately shutting them down.

In the end, the Yankees lost again to the Red Sox, 3-2, in 12 innings at the Stadium. But, as usual, it wasn’t Rivera’s fault.

In the 11th, Rivera danced out of trouble he created. Mark Bellhorn, who entered the day hitting a less-than-robust .213, led off and worked the count to 3-1 before looking at ball four swerve out of the strike zone.

Next, it looked as if it were Oct., 2001 in Arizona, as Gabe Kapler bunted back to Rivera. Decisively, Rivera turned and fired to second for the lead out. This, however, did not prevent him from finding trouble.

Rivera hit the Ellis Burks, who was batting for Pokey Reese, and walked Johnny Damon. Suddenly, the bases were loaded with one out. Rivera needed to reach back for some of his patented his magic.

Rivera, who produces more jams than Smuckers, got one in on Bill Mueller’s hands, forcing him to hit a soft popup that Derek Jeter eyed and caught just beyond the infield dirt. That brought up David Ortiz, who came to the plate with confidence.

Leading off the 10th, against Rivera, Ortiz had sent a ball for a ride to right. Gary Sheffield had to hustle back to the track, extend his right arm to find the wall and reach up with his left glove-hand to snare it.

But in the 11th, Rivera reared back and struck Ortiz out swinging.

After doing his job in the 11th, Rivera – who doesn’t get to wear the “C” on his uniform like Yankees captain Derek Jeter, but is still a highly respected team leader – came into the dugout like a high school football coach trying to exhort his team to victory. Normally, a quiet sort, Rivera was charged up, trying to ignite the Yankees offense with some emotional fired. It didn’t work.

Rivera did his job, but his teammates weren’t as helpful.