Red Sox rally in 9th, walk off on Betts’ double

BOSTON — Mookie Betts lined a two-run double off the left-field wall with two outs in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally that lifted the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

Xander Bogaerts hit a solo home run for the American League East-leading Red Sox, who won for the 12th time in 14 games and maintained their 4½-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees.

Kolten Wong had 3 hits, including an RBI single in St. Louis’ 4-run second inning, and Lance Lynn held Boston’s offense down with 6 solid innings before the Red Sox rallied.

It was just the third loss in 11 games for the Cardinals, who were swept in the two-game series, their first visit to Fenway Park since the 2013 World Series.

Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny was ejected by home plate umpire Chris Segal in a wild ninth inning. Trevor Rosenthal gave up Bogaerts’ home run into the Green Monster seats.

Zach Duke (0-1) struck out a batter and walked one before John Brebbia gave up Betts’ hit, with Jackie Bradley Jr. beating a relay home with a headfirst slide for the winning run as catcher Yadier Molina dropped the throw.

Craig Kimbrel (5-0) pitched one hitless inning for the victory.

Lynn allowed 2 runs (1 earned) and 7 hits, walking 3 and striking out 3.

Eduardo Rodriguez gave up 4 runs and 8 hits in 51/3 innings.