Red Sox Handle Yankees

It took a victory over the New York Yankees to convince former All-Star closer Derek Lowe that he belongs as a starter for the Boston Red Sox, even though he came within six outs of a no-hitter two weeks ago.

“This is probably the best game I’ve pitched,” Lowe said after a 4-3 victory over the Yankees on Monday at Boston. “It was a test for me.”

Lowe, who began the game 2-5 with a 7.34 earned-run average in his career against the Yankees, struck out a career-high nine, gave up one run and two hits and one walk in seven innings.

He improved to 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in three starts this season.

The Red Sox took three of four from the four-time defending AL champions and finished their series leading the East by half a game over New York.

Yankee starter Andy Pettitte (1-1) left after three innings because of a tender left elbow, which has bothered him since the start of spring training. Pettitte said he felt the pain on a fastball to Tony Clark in the third inning.

“I finally felt like I was ready to let go. I guess I wasn’t,” Pettitte said. “I let one go, and I’m back to where I was.”

Manager Joe Torre said he was “very concerned.” Pettitte said he plans to throw lightly today and doesn’t plan on having tests.

Seattle 13, Texas 11--Mark McLemore atoned for a ninth-inning error with a two-run single in the 10th at Arlington, Texas, to extend the Mariner winning streak to eight.

McLemore’s hit against Dan Miceli (0-2) came after the reliever loaded the bases on two walks and a single.

Seattle, which overcame home runs by Alex Rodriguez and Carl Everett to sweep the four-game series, has won all eight games on the road. Last year, the Mariners set an AL record with 59 road victories.

Texas, which outhit Seattle, 16-15, had tied the score, 11-11, in the ninth after McLemore dropped Kevin Mench’s liner to left for a two-base error. Mench took third on Hank Blalock’s sacrifice and scored on pinch-hitter Mike Lamb’s sacrifice fly.

Former Angel Shigetoshi Hasegawa got his first save.

Chicago 13, Baltimore 4--Paul Konerko hit a three-run homer and matched his career high with five runs batted in at Chicago.

Jon Garland (1-1) gave up only two infield hits in the first six innings and didn’t look like the pitcher who had an 8.68 ERA in his previous two starts.

Garland gave up three runs and five hits in seven innings.

Jason Johnson (0-3) lost his ninth consecutive decision.