Boston, MA -- Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Cory Lidle pitched six shutout innings to help the New York Yankees complete a five-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox with a 2-1 victory at Fenway Park. Bobby Abreu drove in a run and Nick Green scored a big insurance run on a wild pitch, as the Yankees extended their lead in the American League East to 6 1/2 games over the Red Sox. It marked the fifth time the Yankees have swept a five-game set from Boston. The others occurred in 1926, 1927, 1943 and 1951. The Yankees bludgeoned their way to wins in the first three games of the set, outscoring Boston 39-20, before taking an 8-5 decision in 10 innings on Sunday night. Monday's game featured the best starting pitching of the series, as Lidle and Boston's David Wells kept the bats quiet for most of the day. Lidle (2-2) scattered three hits among five walks with five strikeouts in his fourth start as a Yankee. He got help from three relievers before Kyle Farnsworth retired the side in order in the ninth for his second save. Wells (2-3), who had won his last two starts, allowed two runs on six hits with a walk and four strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings.

Final Score: Detroit 7, Chicago 1

Detroit, MI (Sports Network) - Sean Casey drove in three runs and Justin Verlander was strong over seven innings as the Detroit Tigers downed the Chicago White Sox, 7-1, in the first of a big four-game series between the two AL Central rivals. Casey finished 3-for-4 while Craig Monroe belted a two-run homer for the Tigers, who snapped a three-game losing streak. The victory also upped Detroit's edge over Chicago for the top spot in the division to 6 1/2. The White Sox's lead over idle Minnesota for the wild card fell to one-half game with the loss. Verlander (15-6) allowed just one on five hits to end a personal two-game losing streak. Verlander's 15 wins on the season are a most by a Tigers rookie since 1977. Neifi Perez made his Tigers' debut after being acquired Sunday from the Cubs for minor league catcher Chris Robinson and finished 0-for-4. Jose Contreras (11-6) continued to struggle on the mound. He was tagged for seven runs on eight hits in five-plus innings and has won just twice since having his personal unbeaten streak of 17 games ended on July 14. Contreras has allowed 14 earned runs over his last two starts (11 2/3 innings).

Final Score: Oakland 12, Toronto 10

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Bobby Kielty's two-run ground-rule double in the sixth inning was the difference maker in Oakland's wild 12-10 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Kielty finished the game 3-for-5 with four runs batted in and Eric Chavez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Jason Kendall added four hits with two runs scored and two RBI. Toronto's Ted Lilly was roughed up for seven runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings of work. He also struck out three and walked a batter. Lilly and manager John Gibbons got into an altercation in the tunnel leading to the clubhouse after Lilly was removed from the game. A television camera later showed Gibbons with a bloody nose. Oakland starter Dan Haren (12-9) recorded the win by pitching 5 2/3 innings, giving up nine runs on 11 hits, while striking out four and walking a pair. Justin Duchscherer notched his fourth save. Brandon League (0-1) took the loss in two innings of relief. League scattered three runs on four hits, walked two and struck out one.

Final Score: Tampa Bay 4, Texas 3

St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - Greg Norton went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and rookie James Shields lasted six innings as Tampa Bay edged Texas, 4-3, in the opener of a four-game set at Tropicana Field. Shields (6-6) gave up three runs on eight hits with seven strikeouts and a walk for the Devil Rays, who had lost 10 of their previous 12 games. Damon Hollins finished 3- for-4 with an RBI and a run scored for Tampa, which beat Texas for the first time this season (1-5). Hank Blalock hit a two-run homer run and finished with three RBI for the Rangers, who had won nine of their last 11 games. Adam Eaton (3-3) gave up all of Tampa's runs on 11 hits through five innings of work, striking out two and walking two.