Jason Bay set a Boston record with his 11th straight homer with runners on base as the Red Sox won 5-1 on Thursday to complete a three-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League. The three wins have moved Boston within half a game of Toronto atop the AL East Division. Bay hit his 13th homer of the year, a two-run shot in a three-run first inning, and Boston led 5-0 before Toronto got a run in the seventh. The Blue Jays began the series with the most runs in the majors but totaled just five against the Red Sox in suffering their first three-game losing streak of the season. Pitcher Jon Lester rebounded from two bad starts as Boston moved to a 15-2 record in its past 17 home games. Tigers 4, Rangers 3: In Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning and Detroit won its sixth straight game, defeating Texas. The Tigers have beaten the Rangers 11 times in a row at Comerica Park. Texas arrived in Detroit this week with an eight-game winning streak, but managed only seven runs in three straight losses. Twins 20, White Sox 1: In Chicago, Joe Mauer hit a grand slam, two doubles and drove in six runs as Minnesota routed Chicago, matching the heaviest defeat in White Sox history. Minnesota ended a six-game losing streak and made the White Sox pine even more for Jake Peavy, the San Diego pitcher who turned down a move to Chicago on Thursday, choosing to stay with the Padres. Mauer's second career grand slam capped a six-run sixth inning. Elsewhere in the American League it was: Yankees 7, Orioles 4; Angels 3, Mariners 0; Indians 8, Royals 3; Rays 6, Athletics 5. Cards stifle Cubs again Pitcher Adam Wainwright came within one out of St. Louis' second complete game in a three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs, as the Cardinals won 3-1 on Thursday in the National League. St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols hit a first-inning homer that knocked out a letter on and electronic advertisement in left field. Wainwright allowed five hits in 8 2-3 innings, striking out seven with one walk. The Cubs, limited to two runs in the series, have lost four in a row and also have dropped five of six to the Cardinals. Brewers 4, Astros 3: In Houston, Prince Fielder drove in two runs with a single to help Milwaukee overcome Houston. Corey Hart had an RBI double in a three-run seventh for the Brewers, who maintained a two-game lead in the NL Central. The Astros blew a 3-0 lead after manager Cecil Cooper and first baseman Lance Berkman were ejected for arguing a close call at home plate. Elsewhere it was: Phillies 12, Reds 5; Padres 3, Giants 2; Rockies 9, Braves 0; Diamondbacks 4, Marlins 3; Nationals 5, Pirates 4.
