Jason Varitek got most of the night off. Then he got the big hit.

After resting for eight innings, Boston’s steady catcher broke a ninth-inning tie Tuesday with a pinch-hit homer that sent the Red Sox to a 5-3 victory in Cleveland and a two-game sweep of their ALCS rematch.

Varitek didn’t start as Kevin Cash caught knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. But the Boston captain came up with one out in the ninth and drove a 1-2 pitch from Jensen Lewis (0-1) the opposite way to left-center for his third career homer as a pinch-hitter.

“We can’t have him catch 162 games,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “I struggle with that. Doesn’t look like ’Tek does.”

The Red Sox, who won three straight over the Indians to advance to the World Series last October, will take a four-game winning streak to New York for a two-game set at Yankee Stadium starting tonight. The rivals just met last weekend, with Boston winning two of three.

Chien-Ming Wang (3-0) is scheduled to start the opener for New York after pitching a two-hitter at Fenway Park last Friday. Clay Buchholz gets the ball for the Red Sox.

The Yankees are coming off a two-game sweep at Tampa Bay. Andy Pettitte allowed three runs over seven innings and Hideki Matsui homered in a 5-3 victory Tuesday night.

“I think it was important that we won these two games,” New York manager Joe Girardi said. “We go home with a 4-4 road trip that didn’t start off too well. We lost the first two, won a couple, then lost two more. Hopefully it carries over.”

Pettitte (2-1) gave up nine hits — seven in the first three innings — struck out five and walked three. The left-hander is 14-2 against Tampa Bay overall, including 8-1 at Tropicana Field. He lost his first start of the season against the Rays on April 5.

Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his fifth save in five opportunities.

“All of my pitches were working for the first time,” Pettitte said. “I’m definitely pleased with where it’s going. Each game has gotten better and better. I’m just real happy that I was able to get to my curveball a lot tonight. My curveball has been nonexistent.”

Edwin Jackson (2-1) gave up five runs and four hits in five innings for Tampa Bay.

At Cleveland, David Aardsma (1-1) got the final out in the eighth and Hideki Okajima worked the ninth for his first save.

Following Varitek’s third homer this season, Boston made it 5-3 on Kevin Youkilis’ RBI single.

Victor Martinez had three hits and two RBIs for the Indians, who have dropped five of six and lost closer Joe Borowski on Tuesday. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained triceps muscle.

Boston rookie Jed Lowrie drove in three runs in his major league debut.

Lowrie’s first major league hit — a two-run single in the seventh — gave the Red Sox a 3-2 lead. When the 23-year-old got to first base he could hardly contain himself.

“I can’t even describe it,” he said. “It’s one of those moments in your life you are always going to remember.”

Lowrie, a natural shortstop who started at third base, is the first Red Sox player to drive in three runs in his major league debut since Merrill Combs, who hit a three-run homer on Sept. 12, 1947.

Tigers 6, Twins 5

At Detroit, Miguel Cabrera hit a two-run homer to cap the Tigers’ second consecutive eighth-inning rally. Magglio Ordonez homered and drove in two runs, and Gary Sheffield and Carlos Guillen also connected. Justin Morneau homered for Minnesota and Joe Mauer drove in two runs.

Angels 7, Rangers 4

At Arlington, Texas, Gary Matthews Jr. snapped out of a slump with a tiebreaking, three-run double, and Los Angeles rallied to hand the Rangers their fifth straight loss. Francisco Rodriguez overcame two walks for his fifth save.

Texas starter Kevin Millwood left after the fifth with a bruised left shin sustained when he was hit by a batted ball in the second.

White Sox 4, Athletics 1

At Chicago, John Danks celebrated his 23rd birthday with his first win in 12 starts, taking a shutout into the eighth inning. Danks (1-1) held Oakland to five singles while striking out four and walking two. Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer and Bobby Jenks got his fifth save.

Mariners 11, Royals 6

At Seattle, Jose Lopez became the 12th major league player to hit three sacrifice flies in a game. Yuniesky Betancourt had three RBIs and the Mariners set a season high for runs, finishing with five sac flies overall to tie a club record.

Blue Jays 11, Orioles 3

At Baltimore, Aaron Hill hit a three-run homer and David Eckstein scored three times to back Shaun Marcum (2-0). Nick Markakis, Adam Jones and Melvin Mora homered for the Orioles, who have lost five of seven following a 6-1 start.