NEW YORK (AP) - 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.
ROYALS 9, WHITE SOX 4
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Mike Moustakas hit a three-run shot and the Royals beat the White Sox, overcoming Adam Dunn's 400th career homer.
Moustakas connected in the eighth and drove in four runs for Kansas City, which has won four of five. Alcides Escobar had four infield singles.
Chicago trailed 5-2 before Dunn drove a 2-2 pitch from Tim Collins over the wall in left-center in the eighth. Kevin Youkilis, who singled with one out for his 1,000th career hit, was aboard for Dunn's major league-best 35th homer of the season.
Dunn is one of 11 active players with 400 homers and No. 50 to reach the mark overall.
Bruce Chen (9-10) allowed two runs and five hits in six innings for Kansas City.
White Sox starter Jake Peavy (9-9) gave up five runs, two unearned, and nine hits in 5 1-3 innings.
ORIOLES 3, TIGERS 2
DETROIT (AP) - Chris Davis hit a three-run homer to help Baltimore snap Detroit's four-game winning streak.
Adam Jones and Matt Wieters opened the seventh inning with consecutive singles off Rick Porcello (9-8). Davis then drove a 1-1 pitch over the wall in left for his 19th homer, snapping the scoreless tie.
Zach Britton (2-1) allowed six hits, struck out five and walked three in seven sparkling innings as Baltimore won for the fourth time in six games.
Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run single off Pedro Strop with two out in the eighth, trimming Detroit's deficit to one. But Peralta was caught in a rundown to end the inning and Jim Johnson got three outs for his 36th save.
The Orioles have won 12 consecutive one-run games, matching the club record.
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 West leaders to five hits.
Carlos Villanueva (6-3) allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2-3 innings. He lost his third straight decision.