Boston ? Red Sox closer Curt Schilling is starting to look like the pitcher who anchored the staff in a different role last year.

The 38-year-old ace-turned-reliever earned his 14th career save – his first since 1992 – by pitching a scoreless ninth for the second consecutive night to seal Boston’s 5-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

“The more he pitches, we’re going to get closer and closer to seeing Schill, and that’s what we want,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “Teams are going to have to beat him, and I don’t think that will happen a lot.”

Manny Ramirez hit his 25th homer, and Bronson Arroyo scattered five hits over seven innings to help the Red Sox snap a three-game losing streak that dropped them out of first place in the AL East.

The Red Sox moved back into first place when the Texas Rangers beat the New York Yankees, 2-1, later Tuesday night.

The victory came amid a flurry of roster moves in which Boston added infielder Tony Graffanino and outfielder Adam Hyzdu and designated reliever Alan Embree for assignment.

“We’re a very close group of guys. You hate to see that happen to anybody,” Schilling said of Embree, who was on the mound when the Red Sox closed out their epic comeback against the Yankees to win the AL pennant last year. “I’m sure he’ll catch on real fast somewhere else.”

Making his fourth relief appearance since going on the disabled list because of a bruised ankle in April, Schilling struck out Jonny Gomes before getting Fernando Cortez and Toby Hall on flyouts.

“I enjoy it, and it’s a rush,” Schilling said of closing, which he hadn’t done since he was with the Phillies in 1992. “But whatever they need me to do, I’ll do.”

Among those mentioned in trade talks is Arroyo (8-5), who allowed two runs and one walk while striking out three. He gave up two singles in the first and then held the Devil Rays hitless until there were two outs in the sixth.

Boston's Curt Schilling, right, accepts congratulations from Red Sox manager Terry Francona. Schilling earned his first save since 1992 in the Red Sox's 5-2 victory over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night in Boston.

“We had some chances early in the ballgame,” Tampa Bay manager Lou Piniella said. “We didn’t quite get it done.”

Casey Fossum (4-8) allowed three runs – two earned – six hits and a walk before leaving because of leg cramps after 42â3. Carl Crawford doubled to lead off the eighth inning of a 3-2 game but was picked off by Mike Timlin.

Athletics 3, Angels 1

Anaheim, Calif. – Rich Harden came within one out of becoming the first Oakland pitcher in more than four years to record consecutive shutouts, combining with Huston Street on a four-hitter against Los Angeles.

Harden (7-4) had retired 19 of 20 batters before giving up a two-out single in the ninth to Steve Finley. The A’s conceded second base to Finley, and Bengie Molina chased Harden with an RBI single to center.

Street retired Maicer Izturis on a fly ball for his sixth save.

Twins 4, Orioles 3

Minneapolis – Jacque Jones beat out an infield single to drive in the winning run with a ninth-inning single and lift Minnesota over Baltimore. B.J. Ryan blew his fifth save in 26 chances, three of those against the Twins.

With Baltimore ahead 3-2, Joe Mauer walked with one out, stole second as Shannon Stewart struck out and took third when replacement catcher Eli Whiteside’s throw sailed into the outfield for an error. Mauer then scored on a wild pitch by Ryan (1-3).

Tigers 7, White Sox 1

Chicago – Omar Infante hit a three-run homer to back Jeremy Bonderman, and Detroit stopped Chicago’s five-game winning streak.

Infante’s sixth homer of the season gave the Tigers a 3-0 lead in the second inning. They scored four more off Jose Contreras with two outs in the sixth on five straight run-scoring hits, four of them doubles.

Blue Jays 12, Mariners 10

Toronto – Eric Hinske homered twice, and Toronto held on for a victory. Hinske hit a two-run homer off Aaron Sele (6-10) in the third, and his two-run shot off Matt Thornton in the sixth gave Toronto a 12-9 lead after Seattle had rallied within one run in the top of the inning.

Rangers 2, Yankees 1

Arlington, Texas – Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer off Wayne Franklin in the eighth inning, rallying Texas. Blalock’s two-out homer off Franklin (0-1) skimmed over the top of the right-center field fence and dropped into the Rangers bullpen.

David Dellucci and Michael Young started the eighth with consecutive singles before Mark Teixeira grounded into a double play. Blalock then hit his 19th homer, the major-league-leading 157th by the Rangers this season.