Clay Buchholz and four relievers combined to throw a five-hitter Friday in Boston's 3-1 victory over Baltimore. Buchholz (6-3) won his fifth straight decision and helped Boston bounce back from a setback Thursday that ended its seven-game winning streak. The Red Sox inched closer to a playoff spot after beginning the day with a six-game advantage over Texas in the American League wild-card race. Buchholz allowed all five Baltimore hits, walked three and struck out one in six innings.

Boston's Clay Buchholz limited Tampa Bay to a run and five hits in seven innings Sunday, leading a 3-1 Red Sox win in the first game of a doubleheader. The loss was the 10th straight for the Rays. Hideki Okajima hurled a scoreless eighth and closer Jonathan Papelbon did the same in the ninth for his

A three-run double in the seventh by Victor Martinez put Boston in front Wednesday and the Red Sox produced 15 hits in downing Baltimore 7-5. Baltimore took a 4-3 lead going into the bottom of the sixth but the Red Sox then tied it on an RBI single by Dustin Pedroia and took the lead on the bases-loaded double by Martinez. Boston maintained a two-game lead over Texas in the chase for the American League wild-card berth.

Major League Baseball has fined Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon $5,000 for a pacing violation. The fine was levied before Thursday's game at Tampa Bay for taking too long to begin innings during Tuesday night's 8-4 Boston win, when he hurled a two-inning save. Papelbon told the Boston Herald he has been fined seven times this season, amounting to more than $10,000. Game pace, pace of game, or something like that, he told the newspaper.

Jason Bay's two hits and two RBI Thursday led the Boston Red Sox to a 6-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Both RBI came on his two-out, first-inning double. Later, Kevin Youkilis had three hits and one RBI and Victor Martinez had two hits and one RBI.