The Chicago White Sox maintained their narrow lead atop the American League's Central Division with a 5-3 win over Boston on Friday that dropped the Red Sox further off the pace in the East Division. Chicago pitcher Mark Buehrle took a shutout into the eighth inning, tying his season high of eight strikeouts to rebound from successive losses in his previous two starts. The result handed Red Sox starter Jon Lester his first loss in 2-1/2 months, having gone 7-0 in his previous 11 starts. A three-run homer in the eighth inning put Chicago on top, and maintained their half-game lead over Minnesota in the Central. The loss left the Red Sox 3-1/2 games behind East leader Tampa Bay and that little bit more likely to need a wildcard if they are to make the playoffs. Angels 10, Yankees 5: In Anaheim, California, Los Angeles beat New York to stretch the Angels' lead in the West Division to a season-high 13 games. Torii Hunter had four hits with a home run and four RBIs, and Howie Kendrick tied a career high with four hits for Los Angeles. All but one of the Angels starting line-up contributed to the 17-hit outburst. The Yankees fell to 6-1/2 games behind Tampa Bay in the East and three games off current wildcard holder Boston. Twins 4, Royals 1: In Kansas City, Missouri, starter Kevin Slowey limited Kansas City to one run in six innings, steering Minnesota to victory. The Twins took advantage of eight walks, while Slowey did not walk a batter. It was the 16th time in 29 career starts that he has not allowed a walk. Slowey has not allowed a first-inning run in 18 starts, the longest streak by any pitcher since 1999. Joe Mauer drove in two runs for Minnesota. Indians 5, Blue Jays 2: In Toronto, Cleveland rebounded from an extraordinary defeat to beat Toronto. The Indians gave up six runs in the ninth inning to lose to Tampa Bay on Wednesday, but had no such threat Friday thanks to a strong pitching effort led by newly acquired Anthony Reyes. Reyes picked up his first win since being traded from St. Louis to Cleveland, allowing only one run in 6 1-3 innings. Athletics 4, Tigers 2: In Detroit, Oakland snapped a 10-game losing streak by downing Detroit. Rookie reliever Brad Ziegler tied the Athletics' record for consecutive scoreless innings. He pitched the eighth and ninth innings for his first save. He extended his scoreless streak to 37 consecutive innings to tie the record set in 1976. Detroit has lost seven of its past eight. Orioles 9, Rangers 1: In Baltimore, the home side cruised to a victory that inflicted a third straight loss on Texas. Orioles starting pitcher Jeremy Guthrie allowed only one run in seven innings to win his third straight start. Guthrie walked just one and had four strikeouts. The right-hander is 3-0 with a 1.21 ERA in his past three starts. Kevin Millar homered twice for Baltimore _ a two-run homer in the third inning and a solo shot in the fifth. Rays 5, Mariners 3: In Seattle, Tampa Bay stretched its lead atop the East to its biggest in over a month by downing Seattle. Carlos Pena hit his 21st home run and drove in another run, compensating for the absence of injured Evan Longoria, the team's leader in home runs and RBIs. Pena gave the Rays the lead in the second inning with his solo home run. He then singled home the final run of the decisive four
