The Red Sox can afford to forget that Jonathan Papelbon blew a three-run lead and cost Clay Buchholz a well-earned win.
These days, nothing before the bottom of the ninth matters in Boston.
For the second straight day, the Red Sox rallied against a depleted Detroit bullpen for a walk-off win, beating the Tigers 4-3 yesterday at Fenway Park when pitcher Robbie Weinhardt threw away Marco Scutaro’s bunt and allowed the winning run to score.
“It’s not the way we wanted to win,” Eric Patterson said. “But we got it done. It doesn’t matter.”
Papelbon got the victory despite giving up Miguel Cabrera’s two-run double and a game-tying single by Jhonny Peralta in the ninth.
Angels 4, Rangers 1
In Anaheim, Jered Weaver outpitched Cliff Lee with seven sharp innings in a matchup of the AL’s strikeout and ERA leaders, respectively, and the Angels took the rubber game over the Rangers.
White Sox 4, A’s 1
In Chicago, Gavin Floyd carried a perfect game into the sixth inning in another outstanding outing, leading the White Sox.
Twins 4, Mariners 0
In Minneapolis, Francisco Liriano matched a season high with 11 strikeouts, Jason Kubel snapped out of a slump with a three-run double and the streaking Twins won their eighth straight.
Indians 5, Blue Jays 4
In Toronto, Asdrubal Cabrera hit a two-run homer, Jason Donald added a solo shot and the Indians beat the Blue Jays.
Royals 5, Orioles 4
In Kansas City, Alex Gordon homered to lead the Royals over the Orioles.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Reds 2, Braves 1
In Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips hit a tying triple with two out in the fifth inning and scored the tiebreaking run on Alex Gonzalez’s error, helping the Reds beat the Braves.
Phillies 6, Nationals 4 (11)
In Washington, Placido Polanco and Jayson Werth each drove in a run in the 11th inning, helping the Phillies avoid a sweep. Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard left the game with a sprained left ankle.
Rockies 8, Cubs 7
In Denver, the Rockies escaped with a win over the Cubs when Dexter Fowler made a leaping catch against the outfield wall to quell a three-run rally in the ninth. Cubs starter Carlos Silva left in the first with an abnormal heart rate and was to spend the night in the hospital.
Giants 2, Dodgers 0
In San Francisco, Matt Cain hurled 7 2/3 shutout innings to outduel the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and Edgar Renteria hit a two-run triple to send the Giants to a sweep of the rivalry series.
Cardinals 9, Pirates 1
In St. Louis, Albert Pujols hit a two-run homer and Adam Wainwright (15-6) stayed unbeaten at home for the Cardinals.
Padres 5, Marlins 4
In San Diego, Jerry Hairston Jr. hit a two-run double with two outs in the sixth inning to chase Florida ace Josh Johnson (10-4), and the Padres avoided a three-game sweep.
Astros 5, Brewers 2
In Houston, pinch-hitter Jason Michaels connected for a grand slam in the seventh inning and the Astros completed a sweep.
