A throwing error by shortstop Derek Jeter gave the Red Sox a quick lead. Coco Crisp came back from a five-game suspension to score twice, and it was 6-0 by the fifth inning.
Lester (7-3) made his most impressive start since pitching a no-hitter against Kansas City on May 19.
Athletics 3, White Sox 2
In Chicago, Justin Duchscherer pitched seven solid innings and Jack Cust and Donnie Murphy homered as Oakland snapped Chicago's seven-game winning streak.
Javier Vazquez (7-7) took the loss despite pitching his first complete game in nearly a year, allowing four hits and striking out 10.
Royals 10, Orioles 7
In Baltimore, Mark Grudzielanek went 4-for-5 and played a key role in a seven-run sixth inning for Kansas City.
The Royals overcame a four-run deficit and two homers by Aubrey Huff to earn a split of the four-game series.
Tigers 8, Mariners 4
At Seattle, Justin Verlander threw six strong innings and Michael Hollimon hit his first big league home run for Detroit.
Matt Joyce, promoted from Triple-A Toledo on May 5 and recalled Sunday, had two doubles among his career-high four hits. Ivan Rodriguez added three RBIs as the Tigers had 15 hits.
National League
Diamondback 6, Brewers 5
In Phoenix, Conor Jackson's two-run single capped Arizona's six-run ninth inning and the Diamondbacks beat Milwaukee 6-5 on Thursday. Three Brewers pitchers failed to record an out as seven straight Diamondbacks reached base in the ninth.
Dodgers 5, Astros 2
In Houston, Chad Billingsley pitched eight strong innings and Andre Ethier homered for the second straight game to lead Los Angeles. Billingsley (8-7) struck out five and did not allow an earned run to win his fourth straight start.
Giants 8, Cubs 3
In San Francisco, Tim Lincecum increased his NL-leading strikeout total to 122 with eight in six innings and singled in a run and scored for San Francisco.
Rich Aurilia hit a three-run homer in the seventh, his third career pinch-hit homer.
Phillies 4, Braves 1
In Atlanta, Cole Hamels came within one out of his second shutout of the Braves this season, capping the Phillies' second series sweep in Atlanta this year.
Hamels gave up his only run with two outs in the ninth.
Reds 5, Nationals 3
In Cincinnati, Brandon Phillips had three hits and three RBIs and Cincinnati capitalized on a Washington error for its rally.
Mets 11, Cardinals 1
In St. Louis, Jose Reyes' bases-clearing triple keyed New York's six-run third inning that included pitcher Mike Pelfrey's first-ever RBI.
Carlos Delgado had a two-run homer and three RBIs as the Mets pounded Mitchell Boggs.
Rockies 6, Marlins (11 inn.) 5
In Denver, Ryan Spilborghs' two-run single off Kevin Gregg with one out in the 11th inning rallied Colorado.