Terry Francona's unusual tweak to Boston's lineup left the Red Sox wondering if their manager had made a mistake.

Former Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz started at second base for the first time in his career in Boston's 8-4 victory over Toronto on Monday night.

"There was definitely a double-take when we looked at the lineup," first baseman Kevin Millar said.

Francona made the move in order to load Boston's lineup with left-handed hitters, and also because of an injury to third baseman Kevin Youkilis.

It had the Red Sox players joking about what other lineup changes Francona might have in store, with Millar suggesting some unusual spots for himself, star outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Curt Schilling.

"I think Manny's catching, Schilling's playing left and I'm pitching tomorrow," Millar said.

Mientkiewicz played second for the second time since coming to the majors in 1998. The 2001 Gold Glove winner at first base for Minnesota, had played second for a total of one inning - last season.

Mientkiewicz found himself right in the middle of things in the second when he was knocked to the ground by Carlos Delgado's elbow after fielding Frank Catalanotto's grounder. Delgado broke up a potential double play.

At Baltimore, Mark Redman (9-9) pitched eight innings of six-hit ball, and Oakland used a three-run fifth inning to win.

At Arlington, Texas, Brian Jordan hit a tiebreaking homer off C.C. Sabathia (9-7) in the sixth and the Rangers extended their winning streak to four games.Erasmo Ramirez (4-3), Brian Shouse, Frank Francisco and Francisco Cordero combined to pitch 4innings of one-hit, scoreless relief.BC-BBN--NL Rdp, Bjt,0893Ward, Pujols, Jones put up big numbers in NLAP PhotosBy The Associated PressDaryle Ward, Albert Pujols and Chipper Jones had big nights at the plate at the expense of National League pitchers.Ward drove in six runs and fell a single short of the cycle for the second time this season in the Pittsburgh Pirates' 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.He went 3-for-6 in his first game off the disabled list, but struck out with the bases loaded in the 10th - failing in a bid to join Babe Herman of the 1931 Brooklyn Dodgers as the only players to hit for the cycle twice in a season."It was a lot harder than the last time," said Ward, who had the cycle and six RBIs on May 26 in St. Louis.

Albert Pujols homered for the fifth time in four games and tied his career high with five RBIs, St. Louis to a win over Cincinnati.Pujols hit a three-run homer in the eighth - his major league-leading 37th of the season - and had two doubles. He also scored his major league-leading 100th and 101st runs, giving him 100 or more in each of his first four major league seasons.

Chipper Jones hit his 300th career homer to Atlanta to a 5-4 win in San Diego. With his fifth homer in four games, Jones became the fourth player to reach 300 with the Braves - joining Hank Aaron, Eddie Mathews and Dale Murphy."Everyone knows how good of a hitter he is," winning pitcher Mike Hampton said. "He's our guy, he's our horse."

At Los Angeles, Miguel Cabrera homered and Mike Lowell singled home the go-ahead run against reliever Darren Dreifort (1-4) in the eighth inning in Paul Lo Duca's return.Carl Pavano (13-5) allowed two runs and six hits in 7innings, and set a career high for victories.

At San Francisco, pinch-hitter Ricky Ledee hit a tiebreaking single in the eighth and the Giants took over the NL wild-card lead with their fifth straight victory.