Varitek Single Gives Boston Win Over Jays

Beckett pitches eight strong innings as Boston continues roll

(NEWSER) - Manny Ramirez singled in two runs in the first inning to end his longest RBI drought with Boston and Josh Beckett pitched eight innings to help the Red Sox beat the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4 last night. Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz each had three hits and Jason Varitek drove in three runs for Boston, which has won four of five after a five-game losing streak. More»

BoSox rally with two outs in the ninth against Toronto's ace

(NEWSER) - Kevin Youkilis lined a run-scoring single to center field in the ninth, ending a brilliant pitching duel between Roy Halladay and Jon Lester and giving the Boston Red Sox a 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Halladay (2-4) retired the first two batters in the inning before walking David Ortiz. More»

Phillies, too

(NEWSER) - Jason Bay and Manny Ramirez both proved why they’d been acquired last night. Bay hit a two-run shot to give the Red Sox a lead they never relinquished, sending Anaheim to a 4-1 defeat, while the man he was traded for hit a solo shot in the Dodgers' 7-2 win over the Cubs. But the Dodgers’ real hero was James Loney, who hit a grand slam in the fifth to erase a 2-run Cubs lead. More»

Boston may send Ramirez to Florida

(NEWSER) - Red Sox fans are used to "Manny being Manny," but could they accustom themselves to Manny being a Marlin? Talks about sending Manny Ramirez to Florida have turned serious, but many still doubt that any deal will be made by today's trade deadline, sources tell ESPN. Ramirez, for his part, seems ready to leave Boston. More»

(NEWSER) - Jay Payton hit his fourth career grand slam to back a gritty pitching effort by Daniel Cabrera, and the Baltimore Orioles rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 6-3 Wednesday for a two-game sweep. Solo homers by Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell, and a defensive gem by Manny Ramirez _ yes, Manny Ramirez _ weren't enough to prevent the Red Sox from losing their fourth straight. More»