Martinez, Red Sox Cruise Past Yankees

This one was a laugher for Pedro Martinez and the Boston Red Sox.

Johnny Damon tripled with the bases loaded Friday night and the Red Sox roughed up Andy Pettitte in a 9-3 victory over the Yankees that cut New York’s American League East lead to 2 1/2 games.

Martinez (11-4) struck out nine in six easy innings at New York, cruising to his first win in four starts against the Yankees this season.

“I don’t think anybody’s scared of anybody -- but they know we’re here,” catcher Jason Varitek said. “They’ve known we’re here all year.”

Pettitte (17-8) had won four straight starts and 12 of his last 13 decisions, including a 10-7 victory over Martinez last Saturday.

Minnesota 10, Texas 7 -- Cristian Guzman hit a three-run triple and Juan Rincon pitched three perfect innings of relief to help keep the Twins from blowing an 8-2 lead at Minneapolis.

Michael Young hit his first career grand slam, and Alex Rodriguez hit his major league-leading 41st homer for the Rangers.

Chicago 5, Cleveland 3 -- Paul Konerko and Magglio Ordonez homered and the White Sox held off the Indians at Chicago to stay tied with Minnesota atop the AL Central.

Oakland 3, Tampa Bay 1 -- Ted Lilly pitched six solid innings to improve to 4-0 against the Devil Rays, and Mark Ellis had an RBI double for Oakland at St. Petersburg, Fla.

Seattle 6, Baltimore 4 -- Kerry Ligtenberg hit Bret Boone with a pitch in the 13th inning to force in the tiebreaking run at Baltimore.