Red Sox Get a Bit Closer to East Title, 7-1

Bruce Hurst pitched a five-hitter, and Rich Gedman and Marty Barrett delivered two-run singles in a six-run third inning Thursday night, helping the Boston Red Sox edge closer to a division title with a 7-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

Boston, which has won 12 straight home games, extended its advantage over second-place Toronto and New York, both idle, to 10 1/2 games with 15 to play.

Hurst (12-7) struck out 11 in scoring his fifth victory in his last six games. He has struck out at least 10 batters five times this season. Pete Vuckovich (1-3) took the loss.

Wade Boggs, the league’s leading hitter at .352, extended his hitting streak to 20 games with an infield hit in the fifth inning and added a double in eighth.