AMERICAN LEAGUE

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Yankees 2, Red Sox 1
BOSTON -- New York completed a historic five-game sweep at Fenway Park behind six shutout innings by Cory Lidle and extending their East lead to a season-high 61/2 games over the Red Sox. New York became the first team to sweep a five-game series from the Red Sox since Cleveland in 1954. Lidle (2-2) allowed three hits and five walks. After Wily Mo Pena homered off Scott Proctor in the eighth, Kyle Farnsworth finished for his second save. Bobby Abreu hit an RBI double in the sixth off David Wells (2-3), and Keith Foulke threw a run-scoring wild pitch in the eighth.
Athletics 12, Blue Jays 10
TORONTO -- Toronto manager John Gibbons wound up with a bloody nose after scrapping with pitcher Ted Lilly near the Toronto dugout, and Oakland rallied from an eight-run deficit to win. It was not known whether any punches were thrown between Gibbons and Lilly. Bobby Kielty homered and drove in four runs for the West-leading A's, who tied an Oakland record for the biggest comeback. Lilly had an 8-0 lead, but was pulled when Oakland scored seven runs in the third inning. Gibbons chewed out Lilly, and they tangled in the tunnel leading to the locker room. Dan Haren (12-9) set an Oakland record by getting the victory despite allowing nine runs. Justin Duchscherer closed for his fourth save. Brandon League (0-1) took the loss.
Tigers 7, White Sox 1
DETROIT -- In the opener of a possibly pivotal four-game series in the Central, Justin Verlander (15-6) gave up one run and five hits over seven innings for his first victory since Aug. 1. Detroit had lost nine of its previous 12 games and its division lead -- which bulged to 10 games on Aug. 7 -- was down to 51/2 games. Backed by Craig Monroe's two-run homer and Sean Casey's three RBIs, the Tigers beat Chicago for just the fourth time in 13 games this year and boosted their margin over the second-place White Sox back to 61/2 games. Jose Contreras (11-6) gave up seven runs for the second straight game, allowing eight hits, a walk and two batters in five-plus innings.
Devil Rays 4, Rangers 3
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- James Shields (6-6) won consecutive starts for the first time since mid-June, giving up three runs and eight hits in six innings. After winning four straight starts in June, he went 0-6 in nine starts, then ended his skid by defeating Toronto on Aug. 16. Russell Branyan hit a tie-breaking single in the fifth off Adam Eaton (3-3), who allowed four runs and 11 hits in five innings. In Texas manager Buck Showalter's first game following a four-game suspension, Hank Blalock homered and had three RBIs for the Rangers, whose three-game winning streak was stopped. Seth McClung got three outs for his first major league save. Adam Eaton (3-3) allowed four runs and 11 hits in five innings.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Reds 4, Astros 3
CINCINNATI -- Rich Aurilia went 4-for-4 with a tying three-run homer in the eighth inning and Royce Clayton hit an RBI single that sent Cincinnati over Houston. Aubrey Huff hit two home runs for Houston, which has lost eight of 10. Chad Qualls (4-3) gave up a pair of hits and a first-pitch homer by Aurilia, who also had a pair of infield singles and a double.
Marlins 3, Nationals 1
MIAMI -- Anibal Sanchez pitched seven innings to win for the first time in nearly a month. Sanchez (5-2) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings, walking four and striking out four. It was his first win since July 25 at Atlanta -- a span of five starts. Sergio Mitre pitched a hitless eighth inning before Joe Borowski worked the ninth for his 28th save in 31 chances.
Phillies 6, Cubs 5
CHICAGO -- Chase Utley homered and accidentally delivered a hard hit on teammate Aaron Rowand, too. Jimmy Rollins also homered, leading Jon Lieber and the Phillies to their third straight win. Rowand hobbled off the field with a sprained right ankle after colliding with Utley in the eighth inning. Rowand was taken to a hospital for precautionary X-rays. John Mabry hit a shallow fly and Rowand came running in from center field while Utley headed back from second base. Utley had the ball in his glove, but tagged Rowand in the upper chest with his glove. The ball came loose and Rowand went flying to the ground. Rowand was down for a few minutes before leaving with the help of two teammates. Mabry got a triple on the play. Jacque Jones hit a two-run homer in the ninth for the Cubs. Arthur Rhodes held on for his third save.
Associated Press
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.