BOSTON -- The Red Sox' domination of the Orioles continued last night in a 4-3 victory at Fenway Park.

Boston improved to 14-2 against the Birds this year, including a 7-0 log at home, with the final two games of the season remaining, as the Sox pulled into a tie with Toronto for second place in the American League East.

Mike Lowell was the offensive star, slamming a two-run double in the first and contributing a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Wily Mo Pena delivered the other run with a single in the fifth.

Julian Tavarez, meanwhile, extended his string of successful starts after being summoned out of desperation to join the rotation on Aug. 31. The right-hander lasted only five innings in this, his sixth start, but limited Baltimore to two runs, including a solo homer to by ex-Soxer Kevin Millar in a two-run third.

Tavarez, who was 2-4 with a 4.71 earned-run average out of the bullpen, finished the year 3-0 with a 4.01 E.R.A. as a starter, and the Red Sox went 5-1 in his starts.

It took five relievers to work the final four innings, with Mike Timlin notching his ninth save.

The intense Tavarez, not realizing time had been called, even provided a little comic relief in the third, rushing off the mound toward second base with the bases loaded and two outs when Dave Roberts strayed from the bag and looked toward center.

Tavarez dived for the surprised Roberts, who got back to the bag safely as the pitcher sprawled toward him.

"That's why they call me yo-yo. They think I'm crazy," said Tavarez, who was upset that rookie shortstop Dustin Pedroia was talking to Roberts and didn't see that Tavarez wanted to put on a pickoff play before trying to do it himself.

"We all got a kick out of that," said manager Terry Francona.

2007 opener in K.C.

The Sox' 2007 schedule was released yesterday, though without the times of games, which still have to be finalized.

Boston will open the season in Kansas City on April 2. The Sox will play three in Kansas City and three in Texas before returning home April 10 for Opening Day at Fenway Park against Seattle.

Around the bases

Jonathan Papelbon (subluxation of right shoulder) is scheduled to face five hitters today to test his shoulder before going home for the offseason . . . Manny Ramirez was on the bench again. Francona said he was certain Ramirez wanted to play, noting he had been at the ballpark at 10:30 yesterday morning working out, but the manager didn't seem to see the wisdom of playing him, given the fact that Ramirez had had only one pinch-hitting appearance since Sept. 9 . . . The Red Sox have moved a Class-A franchise from Wilmington of the Carolina League to Lancaster of the California League, signing a two-year deal with the JetHawks . . . Miguel Tejada's single to center in the second inning was his 212th hit of the season, establishing an Orioles record, eclipsing the 211 hits by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1983 . . . Of Millar's 15 home runs, 4 have been hit against his ex-teammates, including one last night . . . Lowell slammed his 47th double (third in the A.L.) and grounded into his 22nd double play (seventh in the A.L.) . . . Jason Varitek struck out seven straight times (all swinging) over a three-game span before slapping a single through the right side in the fifth. He was called out on strikes in his next at-bat . . . Life without Manny hitting behind him -- David Ortiz walked three times last night, his second straight three-walk game, boosting his league-leading total to 117 . . . The sellout crowd of 36,269 boosted Boston's total to a record-setting 2,858,346, topping the previous high of 2,847,898, established last year. Boston has set attendance records in each of the last seven years, a major-league record for consecutive increases.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340