If Jon Lester’s strikeout milestone was “pretty cool,” his seven shutout innings for the Red Sox were pretty important.

Lester allowed four hits and Boston, boosted by home runs from Mike Lowell and Victor Martinez, beat the White Sox in Chicago, 6-1.

After losing Friday and Saturday to the White Sox, Boston increased its AL wild-card lead to three games over Texas, which lost to Baltimore 7-0.

Tigers 5, Rays 3

In St. Petersburg, Brandon Inge hit a grand slam in the ninth inning and the Tigers picked apart Tampa Bay’s bullpen for a three-game sweep.

Angels 7, Royals 2

In Kansas City, Joe Saunders won his third straight start and Bobby Abreu drove in three runs. The Angels opened a 5½-game lead over Texas in the AL Central.

Orioles 7, Rangers 0

In Baltimore, Jeremy Guthrie pitched seven innings of six-hit ball and the Orioles earned their second series win since the All-Star break.

A’s 5, Mariners 2

In Oakland, Ichiro’s 2,000th hit was overshadowed by the go-ahead grand slam Scott Hairston hit in the seventh inning.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Astros 4, Phillies 3

In Houston, rookie Bud Norris pitched six efficient innings for his first win in a month and Carlos Lee had a two-run single.

Reds 4, Braves 2 (12 innings)

In Atlanta, Micah Owings walked off the field after getting beaned with the bases loaded in the 12th inning.

Brewers 2, Giants 1 (12 innings)

In Milwaukee, Prince Fielder hit a solo home run with one out in the 12th inning and the Brewers were also helped by turning their first triple play in 10 years.

Nationals 5, Marlins 4

In Washington, Ryan Zimmerman hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to end the Nationals’ eight-game losing streak.

Padres 4, Dodgers 3

In Los Angeles, Kevin Kouzmanoff drove in San Diego’s first three runs.