MLB: N.Y. Yankees 6, Boston 2 (1st game)

NEW YORK, Sept. 25 (UPI) -- A.J. Burnett tossed 7 2/3 effective innings Sunday and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 6-2 in the first game of a key doubleheader.

Burnett (11-11) surrendered a pair of runs on five hits, walking two and fanning six for the American League East champion Yankees.

Jorge Posada smacked a two-run homer as the Yankees added to the woes of the AL wild card-leading Red Sox, who stumbled to their 18th loss in 23 games.

The Game 1 loss, coupled with Tampa Bay's victory over Toronto Sunday, reduced Boston's wild card lead to a mere half-game. Another setback in Sunday's nightcap would eliminate the Red Sox's once-sizable advantage in the wild card chase.

Boston's Tim Wakefield (7-8) lasted four innings, yielding five runs on five hits.

Jacoby Ellsbury socked a pair of solo homers in the loss.