Yankees increase lead with win over Red Sox

(Reuters) - The New York Yankees solidified their lead at the top of the American League East with a 10-8 victory over division rivals the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Friday.

Both sides started with in-form pitchers in the first of a four game series but neither Josh Beckett or Hiroki Kuroda could halt an explosive opening where both sides scored five runs in the first inning.

The Yankees took control in the seventh, turning a 7-6 deficit into a 10-7 lead with a four run charge.

The victory was New York's 50th win of the season (50-32), holding onto the best record in the majors after Texas (50-34) fell to Minnesota and kept them out in front in the division.

Red Sox (42-41) stayed mired in fourth, eight-and-a-half games back.

Derek Jeter punched the opening pitch of the night to center field for a single, perhaps signaling the offensive fireworks of the slugfest to come.

The Yankees then went through the entire line up at the plate.

Curtis Granderson singled, Alex Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, while Robinson Cano was walked for a 1-0 lead.

Mark Teixeira drove in two with a single to center, Nick Swisher belted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in another, Raul Ibanez advanced the runner with a base hit before Eric Chavez completed the scoring with a sacrifice fly allowing Teixeira to make it 5-0.