MLB: Boston 5, N.Y. Yankees 3

BOSTON, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Jason Varitek homered Friday night to help Boston beat the New York Yankees, 5-3.

Johnny Damon scored two runs, and Trot Nixon and David Ortiz each knocked in one run for the Red Sox, who pulled into a first-place tie with the Yankees in the American League East.

Winning pitcher David Wells rose to 15-7. Mike Timlin registered his 13th save.

Derek Jeter hit a two-run homer and Hideki Matsui had three hits and an RBI single for the Yankees, who lost for only the third time in their last 12 games in the opener of a three-game season-ending series.

Losing pitcher Chien-Ming Wang dropped to 8-5.