Yankees’ Sabathia is hardly challenged

CC Sabathia didn’t allow a runner past second base while pitching into the eighth inning, and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-0, Saturday for their sixth consecutive win.

Derek Jeter hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning to help the Yankees extend their American League East lead to a season-high 5 1/2 games over the second-place Red Sox.

Jacoby Ellsbury lined a clean single to center field with two out in the sixth for Boston’s first hit against Sabathia (12-7), who improved to 4-1 in his last five starts. The left-hander promptly struck out Dustin Pedroia to end the inning.

Boston’s one bright spot was Clay Buchholz (1-2), who gave up two runs and six hits over six innings.