BOSTON — Brad Penny scattered five hits over 6 1-3 innings to help the Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Friday night and snap a season-high five-game losing streak.

The slump, combined with the New York Yankees’ winning streak, turned Boston’s 2 1/2-game lead in the AL East at the All-Star break into a 2 1/2-game deficit.

Penny (7-4) allowed just one unearned run, striking out four and walking none for his first victory since June 17. Jonathan Papelbon pitched the ninth, earning his 25th save in 27 tries despite putting runners on first and third with nobody out and then loading the bases for Luke Scott with one out.

Scott struck out on three pitches, then Melvin Mora whiffed on a full count to end the game.

Brad Bergesen (6-5) gave up three runs on nine hits and three walks, striking out five in six innings as Baltimore lost to Boston for the 10th time in 11 games. Nolan Reimold had three hits and a walk and scored the Orioles’ only run as they fell to 1-15 on the road against division opponents this season — 2-26 dating to 2008.



Padres 6, Nationals 2

WASHINGTON — Rookie Mat Latos pitched into the sixth inning to notch his first career victory, light-hitting Luis Rodriguez homered and matched a career high with three RBIs and the San Diego Padres snapped their five-game skid with a win over the Washington Nationals.

Latos (1-1), who lost in his major league debut July 18, allowed two runs and five hits over 5 2-3 innings. He walked two and struck out five.

Cristian Guzman and Ryan Zimmerman homered for the Nationals, who have lost 13 of 16 and have the majors’ worst record at 28-68. Washington committed four errors for the third time this season.



Yankees 8, Athletics 3

NEW YORK — Joba Chamberlain pitched into the eighth inning and allowed two hits, Derek Jeter and Johnny Damon provided the offense and the New York Yankees beat the Oakland Athletics for their eighth straight win.

Chamberlain (6-2) was dominant for the second straight start, giving up a run in the first.

Damon drove in three runs, Jeter had two RBIs and Jorge Posada hit a solo homer for the Yankees, who are 21-5 over the last month to seize control of the AL East. Oakland has lost eight straight to New York and 17 of 26 overall.



Cubs 8, Reds 5

CHICAGO — Aramis Ramirez homered, doubled twice, singled and drove in three runs to lead Chicago over Cincinnati.

Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker and Derrek Lee also homered for the Cubs, who have won eight of their last 11 games.

The Reds dropped their sixth straight road game despite starting pitcher Aaron Harang’s first career home run.

Ramirez’s leadoff homer in the sixth put the Cubs ahead 4-3 and aided starter Randy Wells (6-4), who is 6-0 when receiving at least four runs of support. The rookie allowed seven hits in six innings.



Tigers 5, White Sox 1

DETROIT — Justin Verlander got out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the ninth inning to finish off Detroit’s victory over Chicago.

Verlander allowed three hits through eight innings in what would be the sixth complete game of his career. The first three batters of the ninth all lined clean singles. Gordon Beckham grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and Verlander retired DeWayne Wise to end the game.

Verlander was twice clocked at 100 mph during Wise’s at-bat, the last coming on his 125th pitch.

Verlander (11-5) walked four batters in the first five innings.



Rays 4, Blue Jays 2 (10)

TORONTO — Evan Longoria hit a two-run double in the 10th inning and the Tampa Bay Rays spoiled what could have been Roy Halladay’s final start with Toronto, beating the Blue Jays.

Halladay, the most sought-after player available on the trade market, pitched nine innings, then the Rays scored against Scott Downs (1-2).

Halladay allowed two runs, one earned, and four hits. He struck out 10, the eighth 10-strikeout game of his career.



Holliday goes from A’s to Cards

PHILADELPHIA — Matt Holliday wanted to join his new team quickly, so he hopped on a train with his wife and two sons and got to the ballpark in plenty of time.

Holliday was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals from the Oakland Athletics on Friday for a package of prospects. The three-time All-Star outfielder gives the Cardinals a big bat for their pennant drive and provides protection in the lineup for slugger Albert Pujols.

“Getting from New York to Philly on a Friday afternoon can be tough,” Holliday said. “I’m extremely excited to be back in the National League, to be back in a pennant race. This is a great team, a great organization.”

Holliday made it to Citizens Bank Park early enough for manager Tony La Russa to pencil him into the lineup in left field and bat him cleanup behind Pujols for Friday night’s game against the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies.

“It’s a heck of a move for our club,” La Russa said. “There are guys who are going to lose at-bats, but they’re excited because he improves our club. We’ll be tough to pitch to.”