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MONZA, Italy -- Sebastian Vettel is odds on to extend his big Formuala One lead over Fernando Alonso after qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix in pole position. Vettel already leads Alonso by 46 points and will be confident of moving further clear of his rivals, given that Alonso starts Sundays race from fifth on the grid and Lewis Hamilton -- who is third overall in the title race -- from a lowly 12th. "The car was fantastic, better than what we could expect. We had a strong pace yesterday and we were able to take that into qualifying," Vettel said. "This year were obviously in strong position. Were able to match other cars down the straight and we know that in corners we have a strong car." Five of the past six winners -- including Vettel in 2008 for Toro Rosso and 2011 for Red Bull -- have started from pole, and such is the speed Vettel showed on Saturday and Friday that it appears only a mishap will stop him from securing his sixth win this season. "Weve seen in the past that a lot of things can happen," Vettel said, referring to Sergio Perezs second place last year from 12th on the grid. "Race pace is very important, but today we did our homework." It was Vettels fourth pole of the campaign -- the first since the Canadian GP in June -- and 40th of his career. He shares the front row with Red Bull teammate Mark Webber. "Bit of a surprise to have both cars on the front row in a place where historically weve had bad years," said Vettel, whose 2011 triumph is Red Bulls only podium at Monza. "Hopefully well have a good race tomorrow, too." Webber, who retires from F1 at the end of the season, competes for the last time in Europe. "I said to the boys I was looking for a qualifying PB (personal best)," the Australian said. "It hasnt been the best place for me, so its a nice step toward a good result." Alonso needed a strong performance but finished fifth behind his Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa and Saubers Nico Hulkenberg, who was a surprising third. "I didnt expect it especially after a very difficult Friday," Hulkenberg said. "The guys have done a fantastic job to turn the car around and give me such a competitive car." It was Hamiltons worst qualifying since last years Spanish GP, while Kimi Raikkonen also recorded his poorest qualifying run this year for 11th. Hamilton, last years winner from pole, took the Parabolica turn too wide on the left. After his Mercedes went into the gravel, he was unable to generate any speed. "Thats the worst Ive driven for a long, long time. Im sorry to the team," Hamilton said. "I just didnt drive well." Vettel was in top form as he posted the leading time in Q1 and then Q2, with his team saying "right Sebastian, thats quick enough" over race radio. The German earned the first of his 31 career victories in Monza and won here from pole two years ago. Rain is expected for Sunday and that may be his rivals best hope. Vettel clocked the fastest time in the mornings third and final practice -- ahead of Alonso -- having also been best in Fridays second practice. Frenchman Romain Grosjean, who struggled with the grip in the third practice, locked his front wheels and qualified 13th on a poor afternoon for Lotus. Alonso has also won the race twice -- for Ferrari in 2010 and for McLaren in 2007 -- but was wobbling all over toward the end of Q3 and appeared to berate his team over race radio, although the Spaniard later played down the incident. He has not qualified higher than third all season and will now be up against it on a Monza track regarded as the quickest in F1. Ferrari has given him two races -- here and Singapore in two weeks time -- to close the gap before they abandon their hopes and start focusing on developing next years car. To beat Vettel, and delight the thousands of Ferrari tifosi, he needs to match Rubens Barrichellos win from fifth spot on the grid in 2009. Nike Roshe One Norge . The Reds will host the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight in the opener of a four-game series at Great American Ball Park, and the debut matchup will feature a pair of pitchers whose recent resumes have included a fair number of bases-clearing hits. Air Force 1 07 Norge . 25 against Miami. Hillis left Browns Stadium about two hours before kickoff, a decision that has led to speculation he was upset over ongoing negotiations with the club on a contract extension. http://www.airforce1norge.com/air-force-1-svart-norge.html . The trade deadline is Monday, Mar. 2 at 3pm et/Noon pt. TRADES COMPLETED SINCE OCT. 1, 2014: Feb. 15, 2015 Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: F Olli Jokinen, F Brendan Leipsic, 1st Round Pick (2015) Nashville Predators acquire: D Cody Franson, F Mike Santorelli Feb. Air Force 1 Dame Norge . Signs of a turnaround have emerged in this series at Minnesota. Brian Roberts had three doubles and a triple for the first four-extra-base-hit game of his 14-year career, and the Yankees used their bullpen to preserve a 6-5 win over the Twins on Friday. Nike Air Force 1 Norge Prisjakt . So it was understandable if he was a little shaky early in his return to the Texas Rangers rotation. He spent most of the outing searching for his best stuff, but still managed to shut down the struggling Minnesota Twins offence.BOSTON -- Another strong showing from Jon Lester and a few timely two-out hits led the Boston Red Sox to a much-needed win. Lester worked into the eighth inning and David Ortiz hit a two-run homer as Boston pulled out a 5-2 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday night. Brock Holt hit a two-out, two-run double and Daniel Nava had three hits as the Red Sox won for just the third time in their last 10 games, a dismal stretch that began with a three-game sweep by the Indians last week. "At this point it doesnt matter how many outs there are," Boston manager John Farrell said. "RBIs, runs scored, whether its no outs, two outs, it was just good to get a little breathing room tonight." Lester appreciated it, too. Coming off his shortest start of the season, Lester (7-7) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on eight hits and a walk with four strikeouts in 7 2-3 innings. "Long at-bats, grinding out (Josh) Tomlin all night. David, obviously there in the fourth, big swing puts us up three," said Lester, who won for the third time in four starts. "Unfortunately I go out there and give two right back. But the guys did a good job continuing to battle and put up some runs for me." Koji Uehara pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save. Jason Kipnis had a two-run single for Cleveland, which has lost three straight games after winning nine of its previous 10. Lester faced one batter over the minimum through four innings and allowed just three singles through five, but let Michael Bourn reach safely to start the sixth when he dropped Mike Napolis throw to first. After a double by Michael Brantley, Kipnis cut the deficit to 3-2 with a sharp single that scooted underneath second baseman Dustin Pedroia. But Boston answered in the bottom half, getting the key hits it has lacked so far this season. Tomlin recorded the first two outs before surrendering a triple to Jonathan Herrera. After reliever Nick Hagadone walked Jaackie Bradley Jr.dddddddddddd, Holt delivered a double to left, scoring both runners and restoring the three-run cushion. "Were hitting the ball hard. We were able to get some two-out hits today," said Holt, who has a hit in 11 of his last 12 games. Bradley Jr. then helped protect the lead in the top of the seventh with a spectacular inning-ending double play, making a leaping catch in front of the Green Monster before firing to first in time to double-up Mike Aviles. "Unbelievable play," Lester said. "I dont know if you can throw the ball further in that outfield. That was huge for me." Boston took the lead in the second on Grady Sizemores RBI double and Ortiz made it 3-0 in the fifth with his 15th homer of the year, a shot to straightaway centre off Tomlin. "Early on it was much of the same," Farrell said of stranding baserunners. "We get into a bases-loaded, nobody out situation (in the second) and hit into some tough luck. "David breaks through for us, as weve witnessed many times. Tomlin (4-3) allowed four runs -- three earned -- on nine hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out three and walking two. "One of those games I tried to battle through," Tomlin said. "Made a bad pitch to Ortiz. He made me pay for it. Changed the course of the game after that." NOTES: A moment of silence was held before the game for former Red Sox manager Don Zimmer, who died June 4. ... Cleveland 3B Lonnie Chisenhall, a left-handed batter, was not in the lineup despite hitting .393 with seven homers and 32 RBIs in 53 games this season. ... Boston RHP Clay Buchholz, on the 15-day DL due to a hyperextended right knee, is slated to throw five innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday. ... Boston 3B Will Middlebrooks, on the DL with a fractured right index finger, also is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Pawtucket on Friday. ... Lester threw eight pitches in the first inning, all for strikes. ' ' '