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Red Sox hope to salvage series behind Lester

Jul 27, 2008 - 2:43 PM NY Yankees (58-45) at Boston (60-45) 8:05 pm EDT

BOSTON (Ticker) -- The Boston Red Sox will hope to avoid a costly series sweep Sunday when they send Jon Lester to the mound against the arch rival New York Yankees.

The Yankees have been on fire of late, winning eight straight games since the All-Star break while averaging over six runs.

After taking the series opener with a 1-0 shutout on Friday, New York broke out the offense in a 10-3 drubbing on Saturday. Robinson Cano homered and drove in three to lead the attack while Andy Pettitte tossed six strong innings to earn the win.

Cano has been the offensive catalyst during the streak, hitting at a .514 (18-for-35) clip with three homers and 10 RBI.

The Red Sox, meanwhile, have dropped five of eight since the break and are now just one game ahead of the Yankees for second place in the AL East and 1 1/2 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays (60-42).

Lester (8-3, 3.20 ERA) may be the best candidate on the Boston staff to salvage the series with the way he is pitching. The 24-year-old lefthander has emerged as one of the more dominant pitchers in the American League this season, compiling a 7-1 record with a 2.50 ERA while striking out 71 and allowing just four homers in his last 100 innings - spanning 15 starts.

Lester has also had his way with the Yankees, pitching a five-hit shutout against them on July 3 at Yankee Stadium.

New York is scheduled to send Sidney Ponson (6-1, 4.02) to the mound. The hefty righthander has been solid since being picked up by the Yankees, going 2-0 and holding opponents to three runs or less in three of four starts since joining the team.

In 20 career starts against the Red Sox, Ponson is 3-11 with a 6.61 ERA.