OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Johnny Damon hit a leadoff homer in his return to the Red Sox lineup after missing four games with a jammed right pinkie to start Boston’s 7-1 win over the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday night.

Derek Lowe (14-10) won his fifth straight decision and hasn’t lost since a 4-3 defeat at Detroit on Aug. 6. Kevin Millar homered and finished 3-for-3 with a double.

Gabe Kapler added a two-run homer and Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run double for the Red Sox, who stayed 21/2 games back of the first-place Yankees in the AL East after New York beat Tampa Bay 11-2.

The Red Sox lead the wild card and have won 13 of their last 14. They got three more homers after hitting two in their 8-3 victory Monday night, and are getting solid contributions from their entire lineup.

Oakland had its division lead trimmed to 11/2 games over of the Anaheim Angels, who beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-2.

The highly anticipated Red Sox-A’s series finale Wednesday features Oakland ace Tim Hudson against Red Sox star Pedro Martinez.

Boston has taken seven of eight meetings with the A’s this year. The Red Sox eliminated the A’s in five games in the AL division series last season – Oakland’s fourth straight first-round exit.

Lowe didn’t get any 1-2-3 innings, but was effective in 6 1-3 innings. He allowed one run and five hits, struck out one and walked four.

Damon, who played one season for the A’s in 2001, lofted a 1-0 pitch off Mark Redman (10-11) down the right-field line in the first for his 15th homer of the year and a 10-game hitting streak. Kapler connected the next inning with a shot to left.

This game was less tense than the series opener, when the Red Sox beat Barry Zito.

Manny Ramirez was booed lustily each time he came to the plate. Ramirez homered Monday and also was credited with a catch in left field by third-base umpire Brian Knight on a sinking liner by Mark Kotsay in the eighth that replays later showed bounced first.

Fans threw debris on the field from all directions, causing a short delay. Knight had been called up from Triple-A to fill in because Mark Wegner was tending to family business in Florida. Wegner took Knight’s place Tuesday and worked first base.

Redman has only one win in his past four starts and fell to 0-3 against the Red Sox this year – losing 9-6 at Fenway Park on May 26 and again 11-3 on July 7. The left-hander allowed six runs on eight hits in 5 2-3 innings, struck out three and walked one.

Eric Byrnes singled twice to raise his career average against Lowe to .667 (4-for-6).

Mark McLemore returned to Oakland’s lineup after he was scratched late before Monday’s game with sore knees.

Notes: The Red Sox hit their third leadoff homer this year – all by Damon, who has 15 for his career. Damon also has scored a run in 10 straight games. … Boston OF Trot Nixon entered as a pinch-hitter for Damon in the ninth and received a warm ovation from the many Red Sox fans in the stands. He grounded out to first against Justin Lehr and was cheered loudly again. … The A’s recalled LHP Lehr from Triple-A Sacramento to make his second stint with the club this season.