NEW YORK (AP) – With drama and flair, the New York Yankees completed another August sweep of the Boston Red Sox and moved into prime position for a September playoff run.

There was a week’s worth of highlights during the Yankees’ 5-0 victory Thursday: a no-hit bid by Chien-Ming Wang into the seventh inning, a pair of big home runs by Robinson Cano off Curt Schilling, a disputed play involving Alex Rodriguez that led to the ejection of Boston manager Terry Francona.

And then in the ninth, Yankees rookie sensation Joba Chamberlain was tossed following a pair of pitches over Kevin Youkilis’ head.

It’s not even Labor Day, and already there was late-season passion between these old foes.

“If that young man is trying to get our attention, he did a very good job,” Francona said.

Edwar Ramirez, another rookie, completed a two-hitter and the Yankees’ first shutout of Boston since Sept. 11, 2005. Following a 2-5 trip to the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit, New York rebounded quickly.

“We need wins. I’d tell you the same thing if we just beat a high-school team three games in a row,” said Derek Jeter, who went 4-for-4. “Now we have to play well against Tampa. Otherwise these games don’t mean anything.”

The Yankees, who outscored the Red Sox 14-6 in the three games and outhit them 30-13, closed within five games of the division leaders and put themselves in position to possibly end the day in the wild-card lead.

New York, which began the day one percentage point behind Seattle, had not finished a day in playoff position since April 10, when the Yankees were 4-3.