The Associated Press

BOSTON - Kevin Millar and Orlando Cabrera each drove in two runs, and former Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz made his first career start at second base as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 on Monday night.

In an unusual move by manager Terry Francona to load Boston's lineup with left-handed hitters, Mientkiewicz played second for the second time since coming to the majors in 1998.

The 2001 Gold Glove winner at first base for Minnesota, had played second a total of one inning last season.

Mientkiewicz had a rough introduction, getting plowed over and knocked to the ground by Carlos Delgado's elbow after fielding Frank Catalanotto's second-inning grounder. Delgado broke up a potential double play.

Otherwise, Mientkiewicz handled one other chance flawlessly - starting a double play.

Derek Lowe (11-10) allowed four runs - three earned - in seven innings for the win. Keith Foulke got six outs for his 20th save in 25 chances.

The Red Sox broke a 1-all tie with two runs in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Jason Varitek and an RBI single by Cabrera.

Millar's two-run double made it 5-1 and knocked out starter Justin Miller (1-2) in the fifth. Dave Roberts walked, Manny Ramirez doubled and Ortiz was intentionally walked, loading the bases before Millar hit a liner high off the Green Monster. The Blue Jays capitalized on Cabrera's second error of the game for an unearned run in a three-run seventh that cut it to 5-4. Cabrera was booed when he stumbled on Gabe Gross' grounder for an infield hit in the inning.

Johnny Damon hit a two-run triple and Roberts an RBI double to make it 8-4 in the eighth.

Boston took a 1-0 in the second when Ortiz doubled, advanced on a fielder's choice and scored on Cabrera's sacrifice fly. Toronto tied it in the fourth on Vernon Wells' RBI single after Orlando Hudson singled and stole second.

Athletics 3, Orioles 1

BALTIMORE - Mark Redman pitched eight innings of six-hit ball, and Oakland used a three-run fifth to secure the victory.

Eric Byrnes and Erubiel Durazo both had two hits and an RBI for the A's, who maintained their lead in the AL West with only their second win in six games.

Redman (9-9) allowed one run, struck out two and walked one to improve to 3-1 in his last five starts. The left-hander was 1-4 lifetime against Baltimore, with his lone win coming in a relief appearance in April 2000.

Octavio Dotel worked the ninth inning for his 11th save in 15 opportunities this season.

Rangers 5, Indians 2

ARLINGTON, Texas - Brian Jordan hit a tiebreaking homer in the sixth inning and the Rangers extended their winning streak to four games.

With two outs and none on, Jordan hit the first pitch from C.C. Sabathia (9-7) over the center-field fence for his third home run and a 3-2 lead. Texas won for the sixth time in seven games against Cleveland in this matchup of playoff contenders. Victor Martinez hit his 20th homer for the Indians.

Erasmo Ramirez (4-3), Brian Shouse, Frank Francisco and Francisco Cordero combined to pitch 4 2-3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief. Cordero got three outs for his 36th save in 38 chances.

Braves 5, Padres 4

SAN DIEGO - Chipper Jones hit his 300th career home run and Mike Hampton pitched seven strong innings and drove in a run in the Braves' win.

Jones homered to lead off the third inning and became the fourth player in franchise history to reach 300, joining Hank Aaron (733), Eddie Mathews (493) and Dale Murphy (371).

J.D. Drew and Andruw Jones also homered for the Braves, who won for the ninth time in 12 games. Atlanta has also won 17 of its last 20 road games.

Hampton (9-8) held the Padres to three runs on seven hits in seven-plus innings, winning his seventh straight decision. He struck out three and walked two. John Smoltz got four outs for his 30th save in 32 chances.

Sterling Hitchcock (0-3) allowed four runs on six hits in 6 1-3 innings, his longest outing of the season.

Marlins 4, Dodgers 2

LOS ANGELES - Miguel Cabrera homered and Mike Lowell singled home the go-ahead run against reliever Darren Dreifort (1-4) in the eighth inning, helping the Marlins beat the Dodgers in Paul Lo Duca's return to Los Angeles.

Carl Pavano (13-5) allowed two runs and six hits in 7 1-3 innings, and set a career high for victories. He struck out three and walked two while improving to 5-1 against the Dodgers.

The Marlins played their first game at Chavez Ravine since the July 30 trade in which Los Angeles sent Lo Duca, Juan Encarnacion and Guillermo Mota to Florida for Brad Penny, Hee Seop Choi and minor league pitcher Bill Murphy.

Armando Benitez pitched a scoreless ninth for his 35th save, tying Cincinnati's Danny Graves for the NL lead.