BOSTON, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- CC Sabathia struck out 10 while chalking up his 18th victory Tuesday and the New York Yankees registered a 5-2 win over Boston.
Sabathia (18-7) coughed up 10 hits and issued a pair of walks over six innings, but pitched well when it mattered, inducing the Red Sox to strand nine runners in scoring position.
The Yankees ace recorded his first win over Boston after going 0-4 with a 7.20 ERA against the Red Sox this season.
Cory Wade, Boone Logan and Rafael Soriano combined for two innings of scoreless relief and Mariano Rivera nailed down his 35th save in the ninth for the Yankees.
Eric Chavez delivered run-scoring hits in the second and fourth innings and Robinson Cano went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored in the victory.
Boston's John Lackey (12-10) was touched for five runs (four earned) on seven hits over seven frames.
Carl Crawford clubbed a solo homer for the Red Sox, whose over the second-place Yankees in the American League East was cut to one-half game.
