MLB: Boston 8, Oakland 3

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 7 (UPI) -- David Ortiz drove in half of Boston's runs Monday in an 8-3 win over the Oakland Athletics.

Boston, which has won 18 of its last 20 games, remained 2 1/2 games behind the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East.

Ortiz and Manny Ramirez hit solo home runs in the fourth inning and Ortiz slammed a three-run double in the ninth.

Mark Kotsay homered twice for the Athletics.

Red Sox starter Bronson Arroyo (8-9) got the win, giving up three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.