INQUIRER Sports

BOSTON -- Kevin Youkilis belted a two-run home run and got on base all four times to power the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 win over Cleveland, clinching a playoff spot for the defending league champs.

Dustin Pedroia had a two-run double and scored the winning run for Boston (92-65) which has now reached the Major League Baseball postseason five of the last six years.

They still trail Tampa Bay (94-62) in the American League East Division by three games but have assured themselves of a chance to claim a third World Series crown in five years.

Jonathan Papelbon, the fifth pitcher on in relief of starter Tim Wakefield, came on to strand three runners in the eighth inning and retire the side in the ninth.

He embraced catcher Kevin Cash after the final out and was soon joined on the field in celebration by his teammates.

In a season that saw its share of injuries, roster moves and the exodus of slugging star Manny Ramirez, Youkilis and Pedroia have been the consistent contributors.

Pedroia leads the team in runs, Youkilis in home runs and RBIs and they rank 1-2 in batting average among regulars.

They joined forces on Tuesday to help Boston get the best of likely American League Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee (22-3), who lost for the first time since July 6.

After David Ortiz doubled to lead off the fourth inning in a 0-0 game, Youkilis hammered Lee's pitch over the "Green Monster" fence in left field for his 27th homer. It was his first at home run at in Boston since August 17.