In what appeared to be a blatantly intentional act, Dempster hit Rodriguez with a pitch in the second inning of the Yankees’ 9-6 victory over the Red Sox, prompting a wild outburst by Manager Joe Girardi in support of Rodriguez and a comeback by the Yankees that seemed to signal that, no matter what Rodriguez may or may not have done off the field, his teammates support him on it.

But Rodriguez’s response was by far the most compelling. Four innings after he was plunked — and Girardi was ejected for arguing the fact that Dempster was not ejected — Rodriguez shrugged off the thunderous booing and drove a ball about 10 rows into the center-field bleachers, the deepest part of Fenway Park, to initiate a four-run sixth inning that gave the Yankees the lead for good.

Even as Rodriguez wages an ugly and public legal war against the Yankees, he is helping them win games, none more emotionally charged than this one, which moved them seven and a half games behind Boston in the American League East.

As the ball landed, Rodriguez slapped his hands together while rounding first base. When he stepped on home plate, he stopped and pointed to the sky with both hands, a semi-provocative act by a wholly provocative player.

“It was awesome,” he said. “I was pretty excited. It was the ultimate payback.”

Five batters later, Brett Gardner, who ran onto the field after Rodriguez was hit and had to be held back by Robinson Cano, hit a bases-clearing triple to center to give the Yankees the lead, 7-6.

Rodriguez went 3 for 4 with two runs batted in and two runs scored and raised his batting average to .319.

After the game, he and his manager and some teammates were fuming about Dempster. Girardi called the pitch intentional and said Dempster deserved a suspension long enough to ensure he missed at least one start. Rodriguez, who is facing a 211-game suspension for his suspected involvement with an anti-aging clinic that dispensed performance-enhancing drugs, was asked if he thought Dempster deserved to be suspended.

“I’m the wrong guy to be asking about a suspension,” he said with a laugh.

When asked if Dempster should appeal a possible suspension, Rodriguez joked, “I’ve got an attorney I can recommend,” referring to any one of the high-profile lawyers who are currently representing him.

Rodriguez is appealing his suspension and is permitted to continue to play pending a hearing. Some players, including members of the Red Sox, have said that is unfair, and Girardi felt that sentiment led Dempster to hit Rodriguez.

“Ryan Dempster has been a player rep and he’s been very involved in the union, and he knows this is what they decided to do,” Girardi said. “You can’t change it and just take your potshots. And you’d have to have your head in the sand with the comments that have come from the other side not to know that something might be up.”

Dempster’s first pitch to Rodriguez went behind his legs. His next two were also inside, making the count 3-0, and the fourth pitch glanced off Rodriguez’s left elbow pad and hit his side.

“Whether you like me or hate me, that was unprofessional and silly,” said Rodriguez, who came around to score the Yankees’ first run.

Dempster denied throwing at Rodriguez. “No,” he said. “I was trying pitch inside.”

When the first pitch went behind Rodriguez, Girardi moved to the top step of the dugout, ready for action. By the time the pitch that hit Rodriguez had made its mark in his flesh and the home plate umpire Brian O’Nora had signaled warnings to Dempster and both benches, Girardi went berserk.

He charged out of the dugout, screaming that Dempster should have been tossed. When Girardi threw his cap, he was the one who was tossed, then he turned his invective toward Dempster and, in the most uncharacteristically profane terms, called him a coward.

Although Girardi has a temper, it is rare for him to resort to vulgarity.

“Everyone knows it’s intentional,” Girardi said, “and I don’t understand why he’s left in the game. And then to give us a warning?”