Andy LaRoche's grand slam lifted the Pawtucket Red Sox to within a game of the International League North Division lead with a 9-7 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees Tuesday night.

LaRoche's grand slam gave the Red Sox a 9-0 lead in the fourth inning.

J.C. Linares went 4-for-5 and scored twice for Pawtucket.

The Yankees rallied for five runs in the fifth against winning pitcher Billy Buckner (5-6).

Corban Joseph drove in three runs while Kevin Russo and Kosuke Fukudome each had two hits for the Yankees.

John Maine (5-5) took the loss. Lee Hyde pitched two scoreless innings and Kelvin Perez three in relief.

The five-game series continues Wednesday with a 5:35 doubleheader. Daisuke Matsuzaka will work for Pawtucket against Ramon Ortiz in the first game.