MLB: Boston 9, Kansas City 2

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Jacoby Ellsbury and Jason Bay both had two RBI during a six-run fifth Wednesday that vaulted the Boston Red Sox to a 9-2 win over Kansas City.

David Ortiz added a three-run homer in the ninth to help bring the Red Sox closer to the American League's wild-card playoff berth. Boston opened the night owning a seven-game lead over Texas in the wild-card chase.

Kansas City had a 2-0 lead before the Red Sox sent 10 men to the plate in the fifth. Ellsbury tripled in two runs in the inning and Bay had a two-run single.

Luke Hochevar (7-11) stayed in for the entire inning, giving up six runs on seven hits to take the loss.

The win went to Josh Beckett (16-6), who allowed two runs on 12 hits in six innings.

Boston's Victor Martinez went 1-for-5 and extended his hitting streak to a career-best 22 games.

Terry Francona won his 560th game as manager of the Red Sox. That ties him for second in franchise history with Mike Higgins. Joe Cronin holds the Boston record with 1,071 victories.