Boston Red Sox - Toronto Blue Jays Preview

As they have done so often this season, the offense of the Red Sox came to the rescue.

Boston's David Ortiz hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning that lifted the Red Sox to an 11-8 win at Toronto on Sunday, opening a two-game lead on the Blue Jays at the top of the American League East division. Sanchez entered the game with the second-lowest ERA in the AL (2.92 ERA), trailing only Detroit rookie Michael Fulmer (2.76 ERA).

The Blue Jays lost two of three games at Tropicana Field Sept. 2-4. "A few years ago, there was another memorable one". He was glad that Ortiz now is on his side. As soon as Ortiz destroyed a pitch over the right-field fence, deep into the stands, I stood straight up and said, "It's a sign". Then, the smile returns a bit, allowing for joy to fill his heart, as Ortiz rounds the bases. "I think (the hotspot) is the start of something, but it will get a little time to heal there". It wasn't that bad (of a pitch).

The win gave the Red Sox a two-game lead over the Blue Jays in the AL East. With runners on first and third, Bradley Jr. launched his 24th homer of the season to give the Red Sox a 4-1 lead.

The Blue Jays are 16-23 in one-run games. The ball did hit in foul territory, which drew the ire of Jays' manager John Gibbons, who was tossed arguing the play. It's all fine and well when general managers and club presidents say they're open, but coaches control ice time and by extension a player's ability to earn money. Maybe it's the start of something, we'll see.

Gonzalez gave up one run, bouncing back nicely from a rough outing against Atlanta in his last start. I feel like that translated into the game. Today was ugly. I'm not going to let (the blister) be an excuse for how I did today. "It's going to come down to the end and it's going to be exciting". It's been something that I've dealt with since I left spring training.

But Clay Buchholz was shelled for six runs, including a grand slam from Troy Tulowitzki, and the Sox blew two early leads until Ortiz turned that around.

It took Melvin Upton Jr. just about no time at all to go from the doghouse to the penthouse. Schultz took over and allowed singles to Pedroia and Bogarts.

Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 25th save of the season, overcoming a leadoff walk to Encarnacion.

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After making three significant misplays on Friday night, Upton incurred the wrath of the Blue Jays faithful as a lightning rod for everything that ailed the team that night.

"We'll be all right", he said. And this was about one guy picking up another. "That team (Jays), is not far from where it wants to be ... but just wait until next year, okay?" "We're somewhat in awe of what David is doing in his final run". Benoit probably can not wait for Ortiz to officially retire. Ortiz pauses for a moment, being the first to see the ball carry over the defense at a rocket's pace.

In the bottom of the first, Buchholz also got two quick outs before Encarnacion unloaded his 38th homer of the year to tie it at 1-1.

Bradley hit a three-run homer in the second to give Boston a 4-1 lead.

San Diego's Wil Myers, a Thomasville native who starred at Wesleyan Christian Academy, went 1 for 3 with a triple, RBI and run scored.

Boston tied it at 6 and chased Aaron Sanchez on a two-out, two-run single by Bogaerts in the fourth, but Toronto answered with Encarnacion's second homer in the bottom half. Buchholz loaded the based with one out and then forced in a run when he walked Russell Martin.

Blue Jays sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion presented retiring Red Sox DH David Ortiz with a winter parka and a leather jacket before his final series in Toronto.

"It's two good teams", said Tulowitzki, still wearing eyeblack in the Blue Jays clubhouse.

Instead, Benoit tried again - and paid for it when Ortiz swatted a three-run homer, putting the Sox ahead to stay.