BOSTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- The Boston Red Sox defeated the Detroit Tigers Thursday night, 4-1, behind the strong pitching of Branson Arroyo.
The Red Sox are winners of nine of 10 and set a season high in victories in a month with their 17th win in August. But, the Sox remain 5 1/2 games behind the American League East leading Yankees, who topped the Blue Jays.
Arroyo (7-9) allowed just six hits, a walk and an unearned run while fanning nine in his 7 1/3 innings of work. The righthander has allowed three earned runs or less in 11 of his last 14 starts.
Detroit starter Jason Johnson (8-12) allowed nine hits and three runs, two of them earned, over five innings.
The Red Sox took the early lead as David Ortiz doubled home Johnny Damon in the bottom of the first. The two-bagger was Ortiz' 40th of the season, a career high.
