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Red Sox edge closer to ending 11-year title drought

Sep 26, 2007 - 12:59 PM Oakland (75-83) at Boston (93-64) 5:00 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- Just days ago, talk of an epic collapse by the Boston Red Sox was rampant. On Wednesday, as they wrap up a two-game set with the Oakland Athletics, the end is in sight.

Spurred by the return of Manny Ramirez, the Red Sox reduced their magic number for winning the American League East to three with Tuesday's 7-3 victory over the A's.

Ramirez, who had not played since since August 28 due to a strained left oblique, went 1-for-2 with a walk in his return.

With five games remaining, Boston holds a three-game lead in the over the New York Yankees (90-67) in the division, but trails the Cleveland Indians (93-63) by a half-game for the best record in the majors.

In an effort to push the Red Sox closer to their first division title since 1995, they will call upon Jon Lester (4-0, 4.45 ERA), who will look to extend his 10-game unbeaten streak. He has faced the A's only one other time, yielding one run over five frames last season.

The lefthander has registered consecutive no-decisions, including his last outing on September 18 when he allowed one run and three hits over 6 2/3 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.

Joe Blanton (14-10, 3.84) gets the start for the A's. Blanton took the loss on Friday yielding four runs and 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings in a 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

The loss ended Blanton's three-start winning streak and the four runs allowed were the most he has permitted in a game since August 25.

Over his career, the righthander is 2-1 in four lifetime starts against the Red Sox with a 2.60 ERA.