Lieber’s sharp outing lets Yankees bounce back on Boston

NEW YORK — Jon Lieber stopped the charging Boston Red Sox in what could turn out to be a key game in the American League East race.

Lieber no-hit the Red Sox until David Ortiz’s two-out home run in the seventh inning, and the New York Yankees beat up on Derek Lowe in a 14-4 win Saturday that restored their division lead to 3 1/2 games.

With the Yankees still thinking about Boston’s 3-2, ninth-inning comeback victory against Mariano Rivera on Friday, Derek Jeter walked opening each of the first two innings and Alex Rodriguez followed with hits both times. New York went on to build a 9-0 lead through the second.

Jorge Posada hit a two-run single in a five-run first and later hit a solo homer, Rodriguez hit a three-run homer and Bernie Williams had a homer and three RBIs to lead the Yanks.

Lowe was knocked out in the second, his shortest start since July 3, 1997, leaving after Rodriguez hit a hard shot that bruised the pitcher’s right leg. By the eighth, giddy fans started reminding Boston of its bitter history, chanting “1918!” — the last year the Red Sox won the World Series title.

With a victory, Boston would have closed within 1 1/2 games of the Yankees for the first time since June 2. Instead, New York can boost its lead to 4 1/2 games today, when Mike Mussina pitches against Pedro Martinez. The teams play three more times at Fenway Park next weekend.