BOSTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- Jacoby Ellsbury's run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth provided the winning margin for the Red Sox Tuesday in Boston's 3-2 win over Cleveland.
With the score tied 2-2, Jason Varitek collected a one-out single off Vinnie Pestano (1-1). Jarrod Saltalamacchia came in to run for him and went to second on a Josh Reddick bloop hit to shallow right field.
Ellsbury then came up and lined a 1-0 pitch into center field. The throw from Ezekiel Carrera was offline and Saltalamacchia slid home with the game-winner.
Kevin Youkilis hit a solo homer for the Red Sox, who maintained a half-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East.
Jonathan Papelbon (3-0) earned the win with a scoreless top of the ninth after Boston starter Josh Beckett when six innings, allowing two runs on six hits.
Jason Kipnis and Larry Chisenhall each provided bases-empty homers for the Indians, who fell three games behind first-place Detroit in the AL Central.
