Lackey’s Solid Saturday

Just when the Red Sox needed a starter to slow down the Yankees, John Lackey steps up to pitch 6 2/3 innings of one run ball and the Sox win 6-1 at a packed Fenway.

Lackey threw 103 pitches and had just one strikeout but he allowed just four hits and three walks in picking up his 8th win. Lackey's ERA is now 3.22.

The offense was led by Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz. Ellsbury had three hits and two RBI. Ortiz cranked his 24th home run.

The Sox win, combined with a Tampa Bay loss means a two game lead for Boston in the AL East with 37 games to play.