Boston ? Curt Schilling earned his 20th win on the eve of Boston’s big series with the New York Yankees. Now, he wants much more.

“In a couple of weeks, hopefully, it will get a lot better,” he said after becoming the first 20-game winner in the major leagues with an 11-4 victory Thursday night over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

By that time, he hopes, the Red Sox will have clinched the AL East title. They trail the Yankees by 31/2 games, but the teams have six meetings left — three this weekend in New York and three beginning next Friday in Boston.

“This is a great warmup,” Johnny Damon said, referring to Boston’s 24th victory in 29 games. “This is the time to shine. I think this is the best assembled team in the league, and it’s time to show it.”

The Red Sox have slashed a deficit of 101/2 games since Aug. 15, but the Yankees are coming off back-to-back shutouts in Kansas City.

“It’s not like it’s the first time we’ve played them,” Jason Varitek said. “We have to concentrate each day on each game. Whatever happens the first day, put it aside.”

Boston leads the season series 8-5, but New York has the best home record in baseball at 50-21.

Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella was too concerned about his own problems to discuss what advantage Schilling (20-6) and Pedro Martinez (16-6) might give Boston in the playoffs.

“The Yankees and Red Sox can settle their own affairs,” Piniella said. “Good luck to whoever comes out on top.”

On Thursday, Damon and Kevin Millar each homered and drove in four runs, and Boston scored at least nine runs for the fifth time in Schilling’s last six starts.

The right-hander has won seven straight starts for the first time in his career. He has 20 wins in three of the last four years and is 11-1 at home this season.

“He has not let us down one bit” since being traded by Arizona in November, Boston manager Terry Francona said. “He’s been tremendous, and he will continue to be.”

Schilling allowed four runs and eight hits in 72/3 innings and hasn’t lost since Aug. 9 against Tampa Bay. He struck out six and walked two after five straight starts without a bases on balls.

Athletics 5, Rangers 4

Oakland, Calif. — Kenny Rogers lost at the Coliseum for the first time in more than 10 years, with Bobby Crosby’s three-run double in the fifth inning leading Oakland over Texas. Rogers was unbeaten in 35 appearances in Oakland since Aug. 7, 1994, going 18-0. But Crosby, a 14-year-old high school freshman when Rogers last lost at the Coliseum, provided a clutch hit that allowed the Athletics to salvage a split of the four-game set.

The series began Monday night, when Texas reliever Frank Francisco threw a chair into the stands, breaking a woman’s nose.

Texas’ Alfonso Soriano hurt his left leg in an awkward headfirst slide while stealing third base in the eighth inning. His left foot got caught under his right leg, and he left the game after consulting with trainers.

Twins 10, White Sox 1

Minneapolis — Kyle Lohse pitched seven sharp innings, Michael Cuddyer went 3-for-4 with a homer, and Minnesota beat Chicago for its ninth straight victory. The streaking Twins quickly are closing in on their third consecutive AL Central title. They reduced their magic number for clinching the division to four.

Tigers 6, Indians 4

Cleveland — Eric Munson and Omar Infante each hit two-run homers, leading Detroit over Cleveland. Tigers starter Gary Knotts, who hasn’t won in 13 appearances — five starts — since July 9, was leading 5-3 and was one out from being the pitcher of record when Detroit manager Alan Trammell pulled him in the fifth.

Angels 6, Mariners 1

Seattle — Anaheim took advantage of two errors by Gold Glove second baseman Bret Boone, scoring four times in the eighth inning.

Anaheim led 2-1 and had runners at second and third with one out when Darin Erstad grounded to Boone, who tried to get Adam Kennedy coming home. The throw hit Erstad’s bat — just in front of catcher Dan Wilson. The ball bounced over Wilson’s head, two runs scored and Boone was charged with an error. After Vladimir Guerrero was intentionally walked, Garret Anderson hit a shot through Boone’s legs to make it 5-1.

Orioles 9, Blue Jays 5

Toronto — Rafael Palmeiro homered, and Rodrigo Lopez won his third straight start, lifting Baltimore over Toronto.