Daisuke Matsuzaka continued his strong conclusion to the regular season Friday with a six-inning effort that helped bring Boston a 6-2 win over Cleveland. After losing six consecutive games, the Red Sox won their second straight while tuning up for next week's opening-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Angels. Matsuzaka (4-6) struggled throughout much of the season with injuries, but he has won four of his last five starts.

CC Sabathia and two relievers combined on a two-hit shutout Saturday, leading the New York Yankees to a 3-0 win over Boston. Sabathia (19-7) gave up only Mike Lowell's lead-off single in the top of the fifth and finished with two walks and eight strikeouts in 96 pitches. With his ninth straight victory,

Jason Bay and Jacoby Ellsbury hit solo homers Sunday, boosting the Boston Red Sox in a 9-3 rout of Baltimore and a three-game sweep. Ellsbury had three hits and three RBI. Bay finished with two hits and three RBI. Mike Lowell hit a two-run single. Victor Martinez had two hits and one RBI, while two

Daisuke Matsuzaka returned to the mound for the first time in three months Tuesday to pitch Boston to a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Matsuzaka (2-5), in his first start since June 19, worked six-plus innings of three-hit, shutout ball for his first victory since June 2.

Kenji Johjima stroked a two-run home run and Russell Branyan had a solo shot Monday in the Seattle Mariners' 6-4 win over the Chicago White Sox. Ken Griffey Jr.