MLB: Boston 7, N.Y. Yankees 0

NEW YORK, July 3 (UPI) -- Jon Lester allowed five hits and struck out eight while going the distance Thursday, carrying the Boston Red Sox to a 7-0 blanking of the New York Yankees.

New York could not manage a run against Lester after scoring 18 the night before against Texas.

The Red Sox, coming off a three-game sweep at the hands of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, got to Andy Pettitte for two runs in each of the first two innings.

Lester (7-3) won his fourth straight decision. He hasn't lost since dropping a decision to Oakland May 25.

Mike Lowell singled in a run in the first and contributed a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Jacoby Ellsbury had a two-run double in the second.

Pettitte (9-6) allowed five runs on nine hits in 4 2/3 innings.

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