BOSTON — Robinson Cano and Andy Pettitte are doing it again, rounding into form as the New York Yankees gear up for another playoff run.

Cano homered and drove in three runs, Pettitte gave the Yankees another strong start and New York beat the Boston Red Sox, 10-3, yesterday for its season-best eighth straight win.

The Yankees closed within one game of second-place Boston in the AL East and remained unbeaten since the All-Star break. Tampa Bay beat Kansas City, 5-3, to move two games ahead of the Red Sox.

"It's important to stay in the present," Alex Rodriguez said. "We don't want to look too far ahead and too far behind. "

Cano, who hit just .219 in his first 54 games, is batting .514 (18 for 35) since the All-Star break. He's batting .341 after the break over the past three seasons.

"The All-Star break came at a good time for this team," Johnny Damon said. "Robinson was able to gather his thoughts. He was swinging the bat well. He's a big reason we're on the streak we're on now."

Pettitte (12-7) allowed one earned run and struck out seven over six innings to continue a brilliant run by New York starters. They've allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 of their past 16 games.

"Our pitching has been really good all year," manager Joe Girardi said. "That's what's kept us afloat. And now we're starting to hit better. We're starting to score runs. It's a good combination to have."

Newly acquired Xavier Nady started in left field in his first game with New York, and reliever Damaso Marte struck out David Ortiz in a key spot. The Yankees finalized their deal with Pittsburgh yesterday, acquiring Nady and Marte for four minor leaguers.

Rodriguez was drilled on the left arm by Red Sox reliever Craig Hansen in the eighth and fans cheered. Rodriguez stayed in the game before being replaced at third base in the bottom half by Wilson Betemit.

"No," Rodriguez said, when asked if he thought the pitch was intentional. "That's all, guys."

Pettitte improved to 110-44 with a 3.51 ERA in his career after the break, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"I was able to make some big pitches when I needed to today," said Pettitte, who earned career win No. 213. "I was very fortunate I was able to get a win and keep this rolling. We're on a roll now."

RAYS 5, ROYALS 3

Carl Crawford's tiebreaking, two-run triple with two outs in the eighth inning sent visiting Tampa Bay over Kansas City.

Crawford, who had his seventh career two-triple game and second of the season, drove Horacio Ramirez's pitch to right-center in the eighth, scoring Akinori Iwamura and B.J. Upton to give the Rays a 4-2 lead.

RANGERS 9, ATHLETICS 4

Josh Hamilton hit a three-run homer to increase his major league-leading RBI total to 103, and visiting Texas beat All-Star pitcher Justin Duchscherer (10-7).

Chris Davis hit a solo homer and doubled in a run, Marlon Byrd added a solo shot and Jarrod Saltalamacchia had a two-run double for the Rangers.

BLUE JAYS 8, MARINERS 3

Alex Rios homered twice, David Purcey earned his first major league win and host Toronto handed Seattle its seventh consecutive defeat.

Purcey (1-1), who made two spot starts for Toronto earlier this season, gave up three runs and seven hits in six innings.

TWINS 11, INDIANS 4

Brian Buscher hit a three-run homer and had a career-high five RBIs to help visiting Minnesota end a five-game losing streak.

Fausto Carmona's return to Cleveland's rotation was a rocky one. The right-hander, who missed two months with a strained left hip, allowed nine runs in 2 1/3 innings, including six in the first.

WHITE SOX 7, TIGERS 6

Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye hit back-to-back homers in the third inning and drove in two runs each and visiting Chicago held off Detroit.

John Danks (8-4) allowed five runs — four earned — and seven hits in six innings to improve to 5-0 in his last 11 starts.

ANGELS 11, ORIOLES 6

Torii Hunter homered twice, had five RBIs and scored four runs to carry visiting Los Angeles over Baltimore.

Hunter went 3 for 3 with two walks. He hit a two-run single in the first inning, a solo homer in third and a two-run shot in the ninth. It was his third two-homer game of the season and the 11th of his career.