New York ? Derek Jeter made the throw, and Jorge Posada held onto the ball in a home-plate collision.

“That’s how you win – pitching and defense,” Jeter said Friday night after driving in the go-ahead run in an 8-4 victory over the Red Sox that opened a big three-game series.

With the Red Sox ahead 3-2 in the third, Jeter took a relay from left fielder Hideki Matsui and threw to Posada, who was knocked over by Jason Varitek trying to score from first.

Mariners 3, Orioles 2

Seattle – Jamie Moyer pitched effectively into the eighth, and Richie Sexson drove in two runs to surpass 100 RBIs, leading Seattle.

Angels 6, White Sox 5, 12 innings

Chicago – Vladimir Guerrero doubled and scored the go-ahead run in the 12th to lift Los Angeles.

Indians 4, Twins 2

Cleveland – Cleveland retained the AL wild-card lead, beating Johan Santana.

Athletics 9, Rangers 8

Arlington, Texas – Eric Chavez drove in four runs, Mark Ellis homered and had four hits, and Oakland defeated Texas.

Blue Jays 7, Devil Rays 2

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Josh Towers threw six effective innings for Toronto.