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MLB: Boston 5, Philadelphia 2

Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia, who hit an eighth-inning home run to lead the Red Sox to a win over Philadelphia. UPI/John Angelillo
Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia, who hit an eighth-inning home run to lead the Red Sox to a win over Philadelphia. UPI/John Angelillo | License Photo

PHILADELPHIA, June 30 (UPI) -- Dustin Pedroia and Jason Varitek hit back-to-back eighth-inning home runs Thursday to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 5-2 interleague win over Philadelphia.

Phillies starters Cole Hamels was shutting out the Red Sox on two hits after four innings when he had to come out of the game after getting hit by a line drive in his non-pitching hand.

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Drew Sutton and Jacoby Ellsbury delivered RBI singles off Philadelphia reliever Drew Herndon (0-2) to break a scoreless tie in the fifth and Varitek made it 3-0 with a solo home run in the sixth. The home runs by Pedroia and Varitek in the eighth made it 5-0.

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer off Red Sox reliever Bobby Jenks in the ninth, and Jenks then issued a walk to Shane Victorino. Jonathan Papelbon got the last two outs of the ninth for his 15th save.

Jon Lester (10-4) started and went seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and two walks while striking out five for Boston, which avoided what would have been its first sweep at the hands of the Phillies in 11 years.

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