Yankees beat Red Sox 5-2

BOSTON - The New York Yankees inched within half a game of Boston in the American League East division standings with a 5-2 win over the Red Sox on Tuesday.

New York starter C.C. Sabathia finally got a win over Boston at his fifth attempt this season, striking out 10 in six innings as the Yankees marginally improved a poor record this season against the Red Sox, who have won 10 of 13 clashes between the arch rivals.

Sabathia (18-7) threw a season-high 128 pitches, allowing two runs.

New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez is likely to miss the entire series against the Boston Red Sox this week because of a sprained left thumb.

“It hurts just sitting on the sidelines, just watching. It’s one of my favorite places to play,” Rodriguez told the team’s Web site (newyork.yankees.mlb.com).

AP, Reuters