Boston ? David Ortiz hit a game-ending, three-run homer in the ninth inning Monday night to give the Boston Red Sox a 9-8 victory over the Cleveland Indians that kept them in sole possession of first place in the AL East.

“The whole inning we’re just thinking, let’s just get David to the plate,” manager Terry Francona said.

Ortiz, who also hit a solo homer in the third, got his second game-ending hit in three days and fifth of the year. It was his 12th in four seasons with Boston, most in the majors during that span. He leads the big leagues with 37 home runs and 105 RBIs, and he tied a club record with 14 homers in a month.

“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do,” Ortiz said. “Like I said before, the worst thing that can happen is the pitcher getting you out.”

Ortiz’s one-out drive to center field followed a single by Alex Cora, a walk to Kevin Youkilis and a popout by Mark Loretta. It came on a 2-0 count against Fausto Carmona (1-5) and helped the Red Sox overcome two homers and five RBIs by Casey Blake.

“The guy had to make a pitch at the time or get the bases loaded and having a hitter like Manny” coming up, Ortiz said. “I just go out there with the same approach that I always go. See a pitch and hit it.”

Kyle Snyder (3-2) got the win with 41â3 innings of one-hit relief after replacing David Wells, who gave up eight runs in 42â3 innings.

Devil Rays 7, Tigers 3

St. Petersburg, Fla. – Casey Fossum allowed one run over seven innings, and Damon Hollins and Travis Lee hit two-run homers to lead Tampa Bay.

Fossum (5-4) gave up six hits and matched his career high with 10 strikeouts in beating All-Star game starter Kenny Rogers (11-5).

Hollins and Lee homered off Rogers, who allowed six runs, five hits and four walks and struck out three over five-plus innings.

Rogers is 0-2 with two no-decisions and a 10.34 earned-run average since the All-Star game.

Mariners 10, Orioles 5

Baltimore – Richie Sexson and Kenji Johjima homered, Yuniesky Betancourt and Jose Lopez each had three hits, and Seattle used a late scoring surge to beat Baltimore.

The Mariners trailed 3-0 before scoring all their runs in the final four innings. Sexson and Johjima connected against Eddy Rodriguez in a four-run eighth.

Twins 15, Rangers 2

Minneapolis – Torii Hunter had a homer and four RBIs in his return from the disabled list, and Carlos Silva pitched seven strong innings to lead Minnesota.

Josh Rabe had a homer and three RBIs.

Athletics 3, Angels 1

Anaheim, Calif. – Dan Haren scattered eight hits in a complete game, Jay Payton hit a two-run homer, and Milton Bradley connected again to lead the Athletics past the Angels.

Haren (8-9) overcame a solo homer by Juan Rivera and went the distance for the fifth time in 76 career starts.

National League

Marlins 15, Phillies 2

Philadelphia – Miguel Cabrera drove in three runs with a homer and two doubles, and Josh Johnson pitched seven strong innings to lead Florida.

Jon Lieber (4-8) allowed nine runs and 13 hits, including three homers, in 42â3 innings.

Johnson (9-5) gave up one run and five hits.

Diamondbacks 15, Cubs 4

Chicago – Orlando Hudson hit home runs from each side of the plate, including his first career grand slam, as Arizona hit a team-record six homers.

Hudson homered left-handed with the bases loaded against Mark Prior (0-5) in the third inning. Hudson added a two-run shot from the right side in the seventh off Glendon Rusch.

Rockies 4, Brewers 2

Denver – Aaron Cook won for the first time in a month, and Colorado found some of its missing power at the plate. Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday hit back-to-back homers in the third inning as the Rockies won consecutive games for the first time since June 12-15.

Nationals 10, Giants 7

San Francisco – Alfonso Soriano had a two-run double, singled twice, scored two runs and stole his 27th base to help Washington end a three-game losing streak.