Lyle Overbay had two hits and an RBI, and Paul Maholm pitched 5 1/3 strong innings to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night.

The Pirates won their third straight game and denied Jon Lester the chance to become the first 10-game winner in the majors.

Lester (9-4) allowed three runs, eight hits and struck out five in six innings as the Red Sox lost their third straight game.

Boston led 1-0 in the first on an RBI groundout by Kevin Youkilis before the Pirates scored twice in the third on an RBI single by Jose Tabata and a double play grounder by Chase d’Arnaud.

Pittsburgh made it 3-1 in the sixth on an RBI single by Overbay.

Without the designated hitter in play, Boston did not start slugger David Ortiz. He pinch hit in the eighth, and Jose Veras got him to ground out to end the inning with runners on second and third.

Maholm (4-8) allowed six hits and one run, and Joel Hanrahan pitched a perfect ninth for his 21st save.