AMERICAN LEAGUE
The surging Boston Red Sox pulled closer to first place in the American League East during a 13-5 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
David Ortiz, who finished with four RBIs, hit a three-run homer in the first inning after Kazmir (11-7) threw nine straight balls to begin the game. Two batters later, Mike Lowell hit a solo shot for a 4-0 lead.
Jason Bay and Jason Varitek homered in the fourth off Kazmir.
Kevin Youkilis hit his 26th homer, a two-run blast in the fourth, and added a RBI double in the sixth, both off Mitch Talbot. Jacoby Ellsbury also homered off Talbot in the fifth.
The Red Sox added seven more runs in the fourth.
YANKEES 4, WHITE SOX 2
At New York, Mariano Rivera put a small crimp in Chicago’s postseason plans.
New York got a two-run homer from Xavier Nady in the second inning and a tiebreaking double by pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit in the seventh.
The White Sox wasted six strong innings by Mark Buehrle and DeWayne Wise’s two-run shot off Alfredo Aceves.
Joba Chamberlain struck out two in a scoreless eighth after Phil Coke (1-0) pitched a perfect seventh to win his first major league decision. Ehren Wassermann (1-2) took the loss.
INDIANS 3, TWINS 1
At Cleveland, Scott Lewis pitched six shutout innings as Cleveland beat Minnesota.
Kelly Shoppach hit his 21st homer in the fourth inning off Kevin Slowey (12-10) to put Cleveland ahead 1-0. Grady Sizemore singled with one out in the fifth and scored on a two-out homer by Choo Shin-soo to make it 3-0.
Jensen Lewis allowed Joe Mauer’s ninth homer with one out in the ninth, but got his ninth save in 10 chances.
In other American League action on Monday it was:
• Royals 3, Mariners 0
• Rangers 11, Tigers 8
NATIONAL LEAGUE
AP, MILWAUKEE
The Chicago Cubs beat the Houston Astros 6-1 on Monday to sweep a two-game series moved from Houston by Hurricane Ike.
Mark Lilly allowed the one hit in seven innings, struck out nine and walked one.
Aramis Ramirez’s first-inning sacrifice fly and Jim Edmonds’ homer off Brian Moehler (11-7) in the fifth built a 2-0 lead, and Derrek Lee and Geovany Soto hit two-run homers in the sixth.
In other National League action on Monday it was:
• Dodgers 8, Pirates 2
• Nationals 7, Mets 2
• Diamondbacks 3, Giants 1
• Padres 11, Rockies 5
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