MLB ROUNDUP Monday’s other games

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Red Sox 3, Rays 0

BOSTON — Jon Lester pitched into the eighth inning, Jason Bay homered in a three-run first and the surging Red Sox beat Tampa Bay to move within a half-game of the struggling AL East leaders. Playing before their 456th straight regular-season sellout crowd, a new major league record, the Red Sox closed within a half-game of the division lead for the first time since July 23. Boston improved to 6-1 in its last seven games while Tampa Bay is 1-6 in that same stretch after losing its fourth straight. The Rays were shut out for the second consecutive day for the first time this year, having lost 1-0 at Toronto on Sunday.

Tigers 14, Athletics 8

DETROIT — Gary Sheffield’s second home run of the night — a grand slam — was the 250,000th hit in major league history. Sheffield drove in five runs, including his 13th career grand slam. Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Hessman also went deep for the Tigers, who won their third straight. Rajai Davis and Jack Hannahan each drove in two runs for Oakland, which has lost five of seven.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Phillies 8, Marlins 6

PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Werth hit a three-run homer, Jimmy Rollins had three hits and three steals as Philadelphia beat Florida. The Phillies closed within 1 1/2 games of the NL East-leading New York Mets. They remain two behind in the loss column. Joe Blanton (2-0) pitched five shaky innings to earn his first win since Aug. 2. Blanton allowed four runs and five hits in his 10th start since Philadelphia acquired him from Oakland.

Reds 5, Brewers 4

MILWAUKEE — Jeff Keppinger’s double capped a three-run, ninth-inning rally off Milwaukee closer Salomon Torres as Cincinnati beat the Brewers. The Brewers’ lead in the NL wild-card race shrunk to three games over the Phillies with 18 games left. The Brewers and Phillies play a key four-game series beginning Thursday in Philadelphia. Jared Burton (5-1) pitched a scoreless eighth for the victory. Francisco Cordero pitched the ninth for his 28th save in 34 chances.

Associated Press