A-Rod homer wins it for Yankees

The New York Yankees moved 4 1/2 games clear at the top of the American League East courtesy of a 2-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

Alex Rodriguez smashed a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the 15th off Junichi Tazawa to break the stalemate and secure a memorable win.

The Los Angeles Angels remain atop the AL West despite an 11-6 drubbing at the hands of the Texas Rangers.

A six-run first inning set the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers on course for a 10-8 victory over the Minnesota Twins.

Kelly Shoppach's two-run homer lifted the Cleveland Indians to a 6-2 triumph at the Chicago White Sox while Cliff Pennington had three hits as the Oakland Athletics overcame the Kansas City Royals 9-4.

The Baltimore Orioles rallied for a 7-5 victory at the Toronto Blue Jays, while the Seattle Mariners were 7-6 winners against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In the National League, the Colorado Rockies had a three-run first inning against the Chicago Cubs and Chris Iannetta sealed matters with a homer in the fourth en route to a 6-2 triumph.

Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa went deep as the St Louis Cardinals, the NL Central leaders, edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-4.

Jason Michaels hit two homers, including a three-run sixth-inning shot, and Miguel Tejada also connected in a 6-3 victory for the Houston Astros against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Nick Johnson and Cody Ross homered in the first and second innings respectively, both off Joe Blanton, as the Florida Marlins snapped a three-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory against the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

Elijah Dukes drove in three runs as the Washington Nationals battled back to secure a sixth straight victory, 7-6 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Finally, the San Diego Padres enjoyed a 6-2 stroll against the New York Mets, the Cincinnati Reds were 10-5 winners at the San Francisco Giants and the Atlanta Braves beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-5 in 12 innings.