updated 12:21 a.m. ET May 18, 2008

BOSTON - It was only fitting that a bloop single won a game filled with bloopers.

Mike Lowell hit a two-run homer and doubled in a pair of runs, and the Boston Red Sox survived a battle of bumbling infielders to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 7-6 on Saturday and complete a sweep of their day-night doubleheader.

The teams’ infielders combined for seven errors in the nightcap — four by the Brewers — the most in a game this season. None was by Boston first baseman Kevin Youkilis, who had the go-ahead single and played his major league record 222nd straight game at first without an error.

“I have no clue,” Boston centerfielder Coco Crisp said, recalling the misplays. “You can come to a game and see many different types of games. You can see a web gem, or you can see a game like today.”

In the opener, Daisuke Matsuzaka held Milwaukee to a pair of unearned runs pitching into the seventh inning, and David Ortiz hit a three-run homer to help the Red Sox beat the Brewers 5-3.

Manny Ramirez, two homers shy of becoming the 24th player in major league history to hit 500, had the second game off after going 1-for-3 during the day.

Boston starter Tim Wakefield gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1-3 innings under the lights, and left with a 5-1 lead. But David Aardsma allowed a pair of inherited runners to score and Craig Hansen gave up three unearned runs to give Milwaukee a 6-5 lead.

The Red Sox answered in their half of the seventh when Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia reached on errors, ending up on second and third after third baseman Bill Hall threw a potential double play ball into right field. David Ortiz’s grounder drove in a run and Youkilis blooped a single to right off Salomon Torres (3-1).

“The Red Sox made a bunch of errors, too, and they’re World Champions,” Milwaukee manager Ned Yost said. “Think they’re learning anything tonight? It happens. You make errors.”

Hansen (1-2) got the win. Mike Timlin pitched the ninth for his first save, at 42 years, 68 days, becoming the oldest to record a save since John Franco did it with the Mets at 42 years, 341 days on Aug. 24, 2003.

“We used every pitcher that was available and we found a way to win,” Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Just like the opener, Boston grabbed the lead in the first inning after the first two batters were retired, going ahead on Lowell’s two-run double.

Jim Rogash / Getty Images The Red Sox's Mike Lowell celebrates his two-run home run with teammates during the second game against the Brewers on Saturday.

His two-run homer, a shot that cleared the seats above the Green Monster, gave the Red Sox a 4-0 lead in the third. They added a run in the fifth without a hit when Ellsbury reached on shortstop Craig Counsell’s fielding error and later scored when Hall bobbled a grounder.

With Matsuzaka (7-0) on the mound in the opener, Boston didn’t need any help from the Brewers’ shoddy defense.

He gave up seven hits over 6 2-3 innings and tied the Angels’ Joe Saunders for the AL lead in wins. Dice-K held the Brewers scoreless until two outs in the seventh, when Rickie Weeks reached on a fielding error and Mike Cameron homered to left.

He’s two wins away from tying Josh Beckett’s 9-0 start last season, not that he’s willing to call himself the staff ace yet.

“I want to keep winning,” Matsuzaka said, smiling briefly to an interpreter. “But I think Boston’s ace is Josh Beckett.”

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Rockies, Marlins bring their own fireworks Freeze frame: Youkilis, Red Sox beat Yanks Rays flush Royals for 5th straight win Zambrano's return paces Cubs past Cardinals Phillies down Mets on walk-off single Dodgers top Giants for 4th straight win La Russa ignoring Edmonds' return to St. Louis Brewers' Yost downplays interest in Sabathia Indians designate Borowski for assignment Braves' Francoeur is sent to minors Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: