Bodog Beat

The Red Sox may be learning that the biggest threat to their American League East title hopes isn't the New York Yankees. While the Bronx Bombers have sunk into last place, thanks in part to being swept in Boston last weekend, the Red Sox have discovered Toronto and Baltimore may be more dangerous foes in 2007. The Blue Jays won back-to-back games in Fenway Park and on Wednesday Boston kicked off a series against the Orioles, who had closed to within 1.5 games. They didn't get closer.

Kevin Youkilis (pictured) went 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored as Boston rolled, 6-1, at Camden Yards. David Ortiz was 2-for-3 with an RBI and scored twice. Curt Schilling (3-1) went seven innings, allowing one run and five hits, striking out three and walking two.

Despite the Orioles' fast start in April, the Red Sox were still strong favorites, paying out at -143 on the moneyline (meaning a winning $143 wager would reward bettors with $100).

Miguel Tejada had a solo home run for the Orioles, who had won four straight.

In other American League games on Wednesday:

Cleveland 8, Texas 7: Jhonny Peralta knocked in the winning run with a one-out single in the 11th inning for Cleveland, which paid -210 straight up at home. Indians pitchers struck out 19 batters, the most since July 3, 1968 when Luis Tiant fanned 19 in a complete game.

Kansas City 4, Minnesota 3: Mike Sweeney and David DeJesus each hit a two-run home run to lead visiting Kansas City, which paid out at a solid +135 on the moneyline. Minnesota has lost four straight.

Detroit 6, Chicago 2: Chad Durbin fanned nine batters and scattered three hits over eight innings as the Tigers claimed a road win that paid their backers at +112 straight up. Magglio Ordonez went 3-for-4 with three RBIs for Detroit.

Seattle 2, Oakland 0: Jarrod Washburn threw a three-hitter for the visiting Mariners. Washburn walked two and struck out two in his first shutout since June 22, 2005 against Texas as a member of the Angels. Jose Guillen and Kenji Johjima homered for the Mariners, who have won two straight since their six-game losing streak. The Mariners were a +124 underdog on the moneyline.

LA Angels 9, Tampa Bay 1: Shea Hillenbrand, Gary Matthews and Garret Anderson drove in two runs apiece to pace the Angels in Anaheim. Erick Aybar scored twice and drove in a run for the Angels, who have won five of their last six and paid out at -225 straight up.

The AL game between the Yankees and Blue Jays was postponed because of rain in the Bronx.

For complete MLB lines for Thursday, visit the Bodog Sportsbook.

PHOTO: Kevin Youkilis helped the Red Sox widen their AL East lead over Baltimore. (AI Wire photo)