(My Sportsbook) - From attending a funeral in Panama to finishing a game in New York, Mariano Rivera's career took on a new meaning Tuesday.

There was some doubt if the Yankees would have the most dominant closer in postseason history available for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series versus the Boston Red Sox, but Rivera wasn't about to let his team down.

A tragic accident at the reliever's home in Panama over the weekend left his wife's cousin and 14-year-old son dead from electrocution after a cable fell into a pool.

Rivera flew to Panama on Sunday and stayed there to mourn with his family, attending the funeral on Tuesday before boarding a private plane hired by the Yankees to head back to the Bronx.

"I was trying to do everything as quick as possible, and once I did that, you know, I wanted to stay there, definitely I wanted to be with my family," Rivera said. "But there's nothing that I can do. So I talked to my wife and I talked to the family, that I need to be here, and that's the reason why I'm here. Believe me, I wanted to stay home and stay with my family, but I have a job to do and I have 24 players that were waiting for me."

Rivera arrived at Yankee Stadium just prior to 9:00 p.m. (et), and it didn't appear the team would need his services, especially with Mike Mussina carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning and New York ahead 8-0.

However, the Red Sox chipped away at the lead, getting within 8-5 by the end of the seventh. When David Ortiz laced a two-run triple to the gap in left-center field to get the Red Sox within a run, that's when Rivera was called upon to stop the Boston rally. Despite a near five-hour flight and being emotionally drained, Rivera did what he's done throughout his career...close it out.

"It was tough, you know, leaving my family there," Rivera said. "I came here and my friends, my teammates treated me like a king, and that was something special and I appreciate that. I'm tired but my mind kept going. Like I said, my friends and my teammates helped me out big-time tonight and made this happen."

With the tying run at third, Rivera got Kevin Millar to pop out to Derek Jeter near the second base bag to end the inning.

Bernie Williams gave the Yankees some breathing room with a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth, but Boston again threatened in the ninth with runners at first and second.

Rivera then had to face Bill Mueller, who had clubbed a walk-off, two-run homer off the reliever in a wild Red Sox 11-10 win back on July 24 at Fenway Park. The result was much different this time. Mueller hit a ball right back to Rivera, who fired to second base to start a double-play that finished the game with the Yankees winning, 10-7.

"I was glad that the game was over," Rivera said. "Yeah, I mean, it happened once. You have to put that behind you. If it would have happened today, well, you have to put it behind, too. So I don't think about it that way. Going against anybody if they hit me or they don't, I'm the same guy."

It was Rivera's first save this postseason and the 31st of his illustrious playoff career.

"I don't think I trust anybody more than I trust Mariano," said Yankees manager Joe Torre. "When he tells you he's OK he's OK."