Kotsay's double in 8th lifts Red Sox past Tribe

Pinch-hitter Jeff Bailey tripled and scored on Mark Kotsay's double to break an eighth-inning tie last night, leading the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the Cleveland Indians.

One game after the Red Sox clinched a playoff berth and celebrated into the night, they jumped on Fausto Carmona for four runs in the first inning, chasing him from the game in his shortest outing in more than a year. But the Indians came back to tie it 4-all in the fifth against Boston starter Paul Byrd.

David Aardsma (4-2) earned the victory with 1 2-3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out one. Rafael Perez (4-4) gave up a run on two hits and an intentional walk in one inning.

Perez was the fourth Indians pitcher, taking over to start the eighth and striking out Kevin Youkilis before Bailey lined the first pitch he saw high off the Green Monster near center field for a standup triple. Kotsay, also swinging at the first pitch, lined one down the first-base line and into the corner for an RBI double.

Manny Delcarmen pitched the ninth for his second save.

Carmona pitched Games 2 and 6 against the Red Sox in the playoffs last year and gave up a total of 11 runs in six innings. In all, he was charged with four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one.

Red Sox outfielder J.D. Drew returned to the lineup for the first time in a month but played just three innings before leaving the game for a pinch runner. Drew went on the disabled list on Aug. 18 with a strained lower back and was nearing a return earlier this month when he left the team because of a death in the family.