NEW YORK, N.Y. – Jon Lester shut down the Yankees for seven innings, Adrian Gonzalez provided an early lead with a two-run homer and the Boston Red Sox beat New York 4-1 Saturday for a badly needed win.
Yankees nemesis Pedro Ciriaco was 4 for 4, raising his average against New York this year to .517 (15 for 29), and Boston reliever Craig Breslow and catcher Ryan Lavarnway became what is thought to be the first all-Yale battery in the major leagues since 1883.
The fourth-place Red Sox won for the fourth time in 11 games as they try to right their foundering season.
Lester (7-10) won consecutive starts for the first time since mid-May, allowing five hits and two walks. Alfredo Aceves pitched the ninth for his 25th save in 31 chances.
Curtis Granderson homered for New York. David Phelps (3-4), making his second spot start while CC Sabathia is on the disabled list, gave up three runs and seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out seven and walked none.
RANGERS 2, BLUE JAYS 1
TORONTO (AP) — Nelson Cruz hit a two-run homer, Joe Nathan converted his team-record 22nd straight save opportunity and Texas beat Toronto.
Nathan broke the Rangers mark he shared with Francisco Cordero, who was successful on 21 chances in a row in 2004. Nathan was the sixth pitcher for Texas.
Roy Oswalt started in place of Ryan Dempster, who missed his regular turn because of personal issues. Oswalt allowed one run and two hits in 4 2-3 innings, striking out five and balking twice in his first start since July 30.
Michael Kirkman (1-2) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the seventh. Mike Adams pitched the eighth and Nathan closed it out for his 24th save in 25 chances.
Toronto lost for the 15th time in 20 games despite limiting the AL
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