BOSTON — The Yankees' best offensive game in more than two years began with another leadoff hit for Derek Jeter. It ended with four runs in the ninth inning.

Slugging from start to finish, New York beat the Boston Red Sox by a seemingly comfortable 20-11 margin last night. But with the short Green Monster in left field and the Red Sox mounting comeback after comeback, the Yankees were relieved to take the opener of the three-game series.

"That was an uncomfortable 20 to whatever it was game," Jeter said, "because you get a couple of guys on base (and) you pepper that wall and it could be a whole new game."

Yankees manager Joe Girardi wasn't taking anything for granted, even after Hideki Matsui homered twice and drove in a career-high seven runs, Alex Rodriguez went 4 for 4 and Jeter went 3 for 6, actually lowering his batting average over an 11-game stretch to .543 (25 for 46). New York also led 12-1 after 4 1/2 innings.

But Jason Varitek and Mike Lowell homered in Boston's four-run ninth.

"When we ended the ninth," Girardi said, "I felt pretty good."

New York's 20 runs and 23 hits were its most since it had 21 runs and 25 hits against Tampa Bay on July 22, 2007. The 20 runs also were the most allowed by the Red Sox since the Yankees scored 22 on June 19, 2000, at Fenway Park.

The Yankees' latest offensive outburst extended their winning streak to three and gave them a 7 1/2-game lead over Boston in the AL East.

TWINS 5, ROYALS 4

Orlando Cabrera hit a run-scoring triple in the top of the 10th inning after a rare blown save by Joe Nathan, who allowed a solo homer homer to pinch-hitter Brayan Pena in the ninth, helping Minnesota rally past Kansas City.

ORIOLES 5, WHITE SOX 1

Brian Roberts hit a solo homer in the third inning, then connected on a go-ahead, two-run homer in the eighth, and Jeremy Guthrie (8-12) allowed a one run on six hits in seven innings as visiting Baltimore beat Chicago.

RAYS 5, RANGERS 3

Scott Kazmir (8-7) gave up three runs and five hits over 7 1/3 innings to win his fourth straight start at home, and Ben Zobrist and Carlos Pena hit homers on consecutive pitches in the bottom of the fifth inning as Tampa Bay beat Texas.

BLUE JAYS 5, ANGELS 4

Aaron Hill and Vernon Wells hit solo homers, Marc Rzepczynski (2-3) allowed one run and three hits in a career-high 6 1/3 innings to win for the first time in six starts as host Toronto beat Los Angeles and stopped a five-game skid.

MARINERS 9, INDIANS 4

Bill Hall drove in two runs in his first game for Seattle after being acquired from Milwaukee on Wednesday, Jose Lopez hit a two-run homer and Russell Branyan and Josh Wilson had solo shots in a victory over host Cleveland.

TIGERS 3, ATHLETICS 2

Ryan Raburn homered in his first two at-bats, Clete Thomas also drove in a run, and Edwin Jackson (10-5) allowed two runs on six hits over six innings as visiting Detroit beat Oakland for its sixth victory in eight games.