NEW YORK, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- David Wells allowed just one unearned run in 7 1/3 innings and Bernie Williams hit a two-run home run as the New York Yankees defeated the Boston Red Sox, 3-1.
Wells (13-6) has feuded with manager Joe Torre and pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre in recent days over his work ethic. But he likely is back in their good graces after a clutch performance.
Wells shut down the hard-hitting Red Sox, who outscored New York, 20-3, in winning the first two games of the series. He allowed just five hits with a walk and three strikeouts and left with a 2-0 lead.
The Yankees increased their lead over second-place Boston to 2 1/2 games in the American League East. They won the season series against the Red Sox, 10-9.
Jeff Suppan (1-2) kept New York's struggling offense quiet until Williams ended the Yankees' 17-inning scoreless streak with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. Through six innings, the Yankees had only one hit, a single in the fourth by Derek Jeter, who returned to the lineup after missing five games.
Mariano Rivera recorded the final five outs for his 33rd save.
Jeter's throwing error on Johnny Damon's error led to an unearned run for the Red Sox in the eighth as Rivera surrendered a bloop RBI single to Manny Ramirez.
The Yankees got back the run in the bottom half on Nick Johnson's RBI single.
