Lester, Varitek lead Red Sox over Phils

Jon Lester tossed two-hit ball for seven shutout innings and Jason Varitek homered twice yesterday as the visiting Boston Red Sox avoided a three-game sweep by beating the Philadelphia Phillies, 5-2.

Lester (10-4) struck out Raul Ibañez with two runners on with his 120th pitch to end a threat in the seventh. Dustin Pedroia and Varitek hit back-to-back homers in the eighth to make it 5-0. "He was pretty powerful today," Varitek said of Lester. "He held on and kept us in the game. He's the story today."

The three-game series was hyped as a potential World Series preview. If it is, don't look for much offense in October: The Phillies outscored the Red Sox 9-6.

The Phillies got a scare when Cole Hamels was forced to leave soon after being struck on the glove hand by Adrian Gonzalez's line drive in the fourth. The Phillies said X-rays were negative and that Hamels will make his next start.

The Red Sox's Kevin Youkilis was out with a sore left foot after fouling a ball off it Wednesday. X-rays were negative. The Red Sox designated outfielder Mike Cameron for assignment.

Cubs 5, Giants 2: Pinch hitter Geovany Soto's walk-off three-run homer capped a four-run rally with two outs in the 13th for Chicago. Pablo Sandoval homered in the top of the 13th for the Giants and Darwin Barney's RBI single tied the score in the bottom half. Aramis Ramirez's homer off Brian Wilson with one out in the ninth tied it at 1.

Marlins 5, Athletics 4: Chris Volstad allowed one unearned run in seven innings and John Buck hit a two-run double for visiting Florida.

White Sox 6, Rockies 4: Juan Pierre laced a tiebreaking two-run single in the 10th inning for visiting Chicago. The Rockies acquired veteran second baseman Mark Ellis and cash from the Athletics for minor-league righthander Bruce Billings and a player to be named.

Cardinals 9, Orioles 6: Lance Berkman homered twice as St. Louis completed a three-game sweep at Camden Yards.

Astros 7, Rangers 0: Jason Michaels had a homer and three RBIs and Wandy Rodriguez (6-4) and three relievers combined on a four-hitter as Houston snapped an eight-game home losing streak.

Pirates 6, Blue Jays 2: Jeff Karstens (6-4) allowed two runs and five hits in seven innings and was 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA in six June starts. The Pirates won an interleague road series for the first time since 2003.-- AP