BOSTON — For one night, at least, Jensen Lewis didn't have to watch the Red Sox celebrate again.

Lewis struck out Jed Lowrie with runners on second and third in the ninth inning, preserving the Cleveland Indians' 4-3 win yesterday in their first game in Boston since the Red Sox beat them in the AL championship series last year.

Lewis' solid relief work, rookie Zach Jackson's six effective innings and a bizarre play involving the third base umpire forced the Red Sox to wait at least one more day to clinch their fifth postseason trip in six years.

"It was just kind of reminiscent of last year," Lewis said. "Our feelings are still pretty fresh."

The Indians blew a 3-1 lead in the ALCS last season and lost the seventh game, 11-2.

Boston's Josh Beckett (12-10) struggled with his control, hitting a career-worst three batters, throwing a wild pitch and walking in a run.

The Red Sox, with six games left, fell 2 1/2 games behind AL East leader Tampa Bay, which beat Baltimore 4-2.

Jackson (1-3) allowed two runs and six hits.

"Tons of opportunities," Boston's Jason Bay said. "For some reason, it seemed like it wasn't going to go for us."

With Cleveland ahead 4-2, Boston had runners at first and second with two outs in the sixth.

Jeff Bailey then lined the ball inside third base. Gerry Davis signaled it was fair, but the ball hit him and stopped just beyond the infield dirt. Third baseman Jamey Carroll picked it up, and Bay, who had rounded third, was caught in a rundown and tagged out.

Rays 4, Orioles 2: Jason Bartlett doubled in the tiebreaking run in the seventh inning, and Tampa Bay took another step toward its first AL East title by beating host Baltimore. The victory reduced the Rays' magic number for winning the division crown to four. Akinori Iwamura singled in two runs in the fifth, and Bartlett's pivotal double off Rocky Cherry (0-3) followed an error by second baseman Brian Roberts and a walk to Eric Hinske.

Angels 2, Mariners 1: Ervin Santana and Francisco Rodriguez combined for a five-hitter, Vladimir Guerrero homered and Los Angeles beat host Seattle to set a franchise record for road wins with 48. Santana (16-6) allowed one run and five hits to match his career high for victories. He struck out nine and walked none. Rodriguez got three outs to extend his major league record for saves to 61 and earn his 10th against the Mariners this year.

Athletics 4, Rangers 3: Travis Buck hit an RBI single in the 11th inning and Oakland moved into second in the AL West by beating host Texas. The Rangers forced extra innings when Hank Blalock led off the ninth with a homer. Cliff Pennington led off the Oakland 11th with a double off Luis Mendoza (3-8) and scored on Buck's one-out single.

Royals 6, Tigers 2: David DeJesus went 4 for 4 and Mike Aviles drove in two runs to lead Kansas City to a win over host Detroit. Gil Meche (13-11) won for the third time in four starts, allowing two runs and four hits in six innings.