Red Sox 13, Rays 5

St. Petersburg, Fla.- David Ortiz, Mike Lowell, Jason Bay, Jason Varitek, Kevin Youkilis and, finally, Jacoby Ellsbury.

Home run by home run, the surging Red Sox pulled closer to first place in the AL East during a victory over the division-leading Rays and All-Star Scott Kazmir on Monday night.

The defending World Series champions won for the first time in seven games at Tropicana Field this season, climbing within percentage points (.002) of the Rays for the first time in two months.

Ortiz, who finished with four RBIs, hit a three-run homer in the first inning.

Yankees 4, White Sox 2

New York – Mariano Rivera moved into second place on the career saves list, and the Yankees put a small crimp in Chicago’s postseason plans.

Beginning its final week at Yankee Stadium – barring an incredible playoff surge – New York got a two-run homer from Xavier Nady in the second inning and a tiebreaking double by pinch-hitter Wilson Betemit in the seventh.

The White Sox, who still lead the AL Central by 11â2 games over Minnesota, wasted six strong innings by Mark Buehrle and DeWayne Wise’s two-run shot off Alfredo Aceves.

Indians 3, Twins 1

Cleveland – Scott Lewis pitched six shutout innings in his second career start, and the Indians beat Minnesota.

Lewis (2-0) has yet to allow a run in 14 innings since being called up from the minors Sept. 7. The left-hander allowed three hits and two walks.

Minnesota remained 11â2 games behind the Chicago White Sox and will play eight of its final 12 games in the division, where they are 39-25.

Rangers 11, Tigers 8

Arlington, Texas – Rookie Taylor Teagarden had his first career grand slam and a career-high five RBIs.