Hot Rays top Red Sox; Youkilis hurts ankle

Jeff Niemann pitched six strong innings and Tampa Bay's bullpen shut down Boston for the second day in a row, leading the surging Rays to a 3-2 victory over the visiting Red Sox last night.

Niemann (7-2) limited the Red Sox to four hits and an unearned run. Carl Crawford hit a solo homer for the Rays.

The victory was the fourth straight for the Rays, who have won six of seven to move ahead of Boston into second place in the AL East.

Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis was removed in the fourth inning because of pain in his right ankle. X-rays were negative, and he said there's a chance he may play in tonight's series finale.

"I wish I could tell you what happened. Just basically out in the field and felt like I had a cramp in my ankle, which is the most strange thing ever," Youkilis said. "Somehow I irritated the capsule, so my ankle locked up. I'll be good to go tomorrow."

Tigers 7, Orioles 5

Johnny Damon followed his 2,500th hit with a game-winning, two-run homer in the 11th inning for the host Tigers.

Braves 6, Phillies 3

Matt Diaz hit a tiebreaking double in the 11th and Eric Hinske added a two-run homer for the NL East-leading Braves, who moved five games in front of the host Phillies.

Nationals 6, Padres 5

Ryan Zimmerman's second homer of the game, a shot to centerfield off Luke Gregerson leading off the bottom of the ninth, lifted the Nationals.

Giants 6, Brewers 1

Madison Bumgarner (1-2) allowed three hits in eight shutout innings to get his first career victory for the visiting Giants. - AP