MLB: NY Yankees 9, Boston 5

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- Alex Rodriguez drove in four runs Friday, two of them with a third-inning homer, pacing the New York Yankees to a 9-5 victory over Boston.

The teams have two games remaining in their weekend series and if the Yankees win both of them, they will claim the American League East title. Even in the unlikely event that Boston overtakes New York for the division crown, the Yankees have already clinched no worse than a wild-card playoff berth.

Boston saw its lead in the AL wild-card race trimmed to seven games over Texas with nine to play.

In addition to his homer, his 28th of the year, Rodriguez drove in a run with a single in the first and had an RBI double in the sixth. The Yankees pounded out 14 hits against five Boston pitchers and won their third straight game.

New York needs two more victories to reach the 100-win mark.

Joba Chamberlain (9-6) got the win, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out five in six innings.

Jon Lester (14-8) took the loss and had to leave the game early when he was hit on the right leg by a line drive from Melky Cabrera in the third inning. Lester gave up five runs on eight hits in 2 1/3.

Boston won the first eight meetings between the teams this year. New York has won seven of the last eight.