Red Sox Top Cardinals, Avoid Sweep

Kevin Youkilis hit a two-run home run off of Mike Parisi in the bottom of the 13th inning to lift the Boston Red Sox to a 5-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday.

Mike Lowell led off the inning with a single off Parisi (0-3) before Youkilis hit Parisis 3-1 offering over the left-field wall. It was Youkilis's second homer of the game.

The Red Sox avoided being swept in a series at home for the first time since losing two contests to the Blue Jays last April.

The Cardinals had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 13th off Javier Lopez (2-0), but Chris Duncan was thrown out at home plate by Red Sox right fielder J.D. Drew.

The Red Sox had opportunities in the 10th and 11th innings to win the game, but came up empty on both occasions. In the 10th, with Jacoby Ellsbury on third and one out, Kyle McClellan struck out J.D. Drew and got Sean Casey to pop out. In the 11th, the Red Sox loaded the bases with one out against Jason Isringhausen, who struck out Alex Cora and Ellsbury to retire the side.

The Cardinals also had chances in the extra frames, loading the bases with three hits off Hideki Okajima in the 11th. But Craig Hansen struck out Ryan Ludwick to end the threat.

After the Red Sox scored twice in the eighth to take a 3-2 lead, the Cardinals tied the game in the ninth off Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, who blew his fourth save opportunity of the season. After striking out the first two Cardinals he faced, Duncan drew a walk and Adam Kennedy doubled to center to tie the game at 3.

Aaron Miles went 5-for-6 for the Cardinals and was 7-for-11 in the series with his only homer of the season. Despite the loss, the Cardinals won their sixth consecutive road series.

Joel Pineiro, who hasn't won since April 29, gave up two runs and seven hits over seven-plus innings. In his last three starts, Pineiro has allowed only five earned runs over 19 innings.

Lester was nearly as good as Pineiro, allowing nine hits over 7 1-3 innings. It was his 11th straight start in which he has held his opponent to three earned runs or fewer.

Nick Stavinoha, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Memphis prior to the game, made his major league debut and picked up his first hit, a single in the sixth inning.