Boston ? It took a win over the New York Yankees to convince former All-Star closer Derek Lowe that he belongs as a starter for the Red Sox, even though he came within six outs of a no-hitter two weeks ago.

“This is probably the best game I’ve pitched,” Lowe said after Boston’s 4-3 victory over the Yankees on Monday. “It was a test for me.”

Lowe, who entered the game 2-5 with a 7.34 ERA career against the Yankees, struck out a career-high nine, allowing one run on two hits and one walk in seven innings.

He improved to 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts this season. In addition to his trademark sinker, Lowe used a cut fastball for the first time against the Yankees.

By holding on in a tense ninth inning to win their annual Patriots Day game, the Red Sox took three of four from the four-time defending AL champions and finished their series leading the East by a half-game over New York.

Yankees starter Andy Pettitte (1-1) left after three innings with a tender left elbow, which has bothered him since the start of spring training. He said it’s the same pain from the spring and felt it on a fastball to Tony Clark in the third.

White Sox 13, Orioles 4

Chicago Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer and matched his career high with five RBIs. Chicago leadoff hitter Kenny Lofton went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, two RBIs and a stolen base, and Ray Durham had two hits and drove in three runs for Chicago, which built a 13-0 lead as it won for the fifth time in six games.

Mariners 13,

Rangers 11, 10 innings

Arlington, Texas Mark McLemore atoned for a ninth-inning error with a two-run single off Dan Miceli (0-2) in the 10th as Seattle won its eighth straight. Seattle, which overcame home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Carl Everett to sweep the four-game series, has won all eight games on the road during its streak. Last year, the Mariners set an AL record with 59 road wins. Desi Relaford homered and drove in four runs for Seattle, McLemore had three RBIs.