AMERICAN LEAGUE
The Chicago White Sox maintained their narrow lead atop the American League’s Central Division with a 5-3 win over Boston on Friday that dropped the Red Sox further off the pace in the East Division.
Chicago pitcher Mark Buehrle took a shutout into the eighth inning, tying his season high of eight strikeouts to rebound from successive losses in his previous two starts.
PHOTO: AP
The result handed Red Sox starter Jon Lester his first loss in two-and-a-half months, having gone 7-0 in his previous 11 starts.
A three-run homer in the eighth inning put Chicago on top, and maintained their half-game lead over Minnesota in the Central.
The loss left the Red Sox 3.5 games behind East leader Tampa Bay and that little bit more likely to need a wildcard if they are to make the playoffs.
Angels 10, Yankees 5
In Anaheim, California, Los Angeles beat New York to stretch the Angels’ lead in the West Division to a season-high 13 games.
The Yankees fell to 6.5 games behind Tampa Bay in the East and three games off current wildcard holder Boston.
Twins 4, Royals 1
In Kansas City, Missouri, starter Kevin Slowey limited Kansas City to one run in six innings, steering Minnesota to victory.
The Twins took advantage of eight walks, while Slowey did not walk a batter. It was the 16th time in 29 career starts that he has not allowed a walk.
Slowey has not allowed a first-inning run in 18 starts, the longest streak by any pitcher since 1999.
Indians 5, Blue Jays 2
In Toronto, Cleveland rebounded from an extraordinary defeat to beat Toronto.
The Indians gave up six runs in the ninth inning to lose to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, but had no such threat on Friday thanks to a strong pitching effort led by newly acquired Anthony Reyes.
Reyes picked up his first win since being traded from St. Louis to Cleveland, allowing only one run in 6 1-3 innings.
In other games it was: • Athletics 4, Tigers 2 • Orioles 9, Rangers 1 • Rays 5, Mariners 3
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, NEW YORK
The New York Mets beat the Florida Marlins 3-0 on Friday to take the first game of a vital series between the two rivals in the tight National League East division.
The result lifted New York half a game ahead of Florida and within one game of East leader Philadelphia.
Mets starter Oliver Perez pitched two-hit ball for seven innings to move to 3-0 against Florida this season. David Wright followed his game-winning homer on Thursday with a two-run homer in the first inning to set up the victory.
Carlos Delgado homered to add New York’s other run.
Cubs 3, Cardinals 2, 11 innings
In Chicago, slugger Jim Edmonds returned to haunt his old team, hitting two homers to power Chicago narrowly past St. Louis.
Henry Blanco singled home the Cubs’ winning run with the bases loaded in the 11th inning, keeping Chicago five games clear atop the Central division and now seven games in front of the Cardinals.
Chicago improved to an NL-best 44-16 at home, already matching its winning total at Wrigely Field last year.
Dodgers 6, Giants 2
In San Francisco, Los Angeles beat San Francisco to move within half a game of leadership of the West division.
Dodgers starter Brad Penny looked like an ace in his return from a shoulder injury, giving up only one hit in five innings to win for the first time since May.
Jeff Kent drove in three runs for Los Angeles, who have won three in a row over their California rival.
Braves 11, Diamondbacks 6
In Phoenix, Chipper Jones returned from the disabled list to spur Atlanta to victory, inflicting a third straight defeat on Arizona.
The run of defeats has slashed the Diamondbacks’ lead in the West division to just half a game.
In other games it was: • Pirates 2, Phillies 0, 12 innings • Rockies 6, Padres 3 • Brewers 5, Nationals 0 • Astros 9, Reds 5, 10 innings
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