Blue Jays lose to Sox, drop two back in East

TORONTO — The series finale between the Red Sox and Blue Jays turned into a back-and-forth marathon affair, but in the end, it was Boston that had enough to survive. The reward was a two-game lead in the American League East.

The Red Sox came out on top in a game that felt like it should be taking place in October. There were six home runs hit, 18 pitchers used and six lead changes as Boston that staked its ownership over first place with an 11-8 victory on Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Hanley Ramirez each went deep for the Red Sox, while the bottom three of their order combined to reach base eight times. Travis Shaw was the only member of Boston’s starting nine without a hit as the club scored early and often against Blue Jays starter Aaron Sanchez and most of Toronto’s bullpen.

Right-hander Clay Buchholz left with a no-decision after he allowed six runs on four hits and four walks over just three innings. He was staked to an early 4-1 lead, but gave it all back in a five-run third, which included a grand slam by shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Edwin Encarnacion hit a pair of home runs for the Blue Jays, but it was not enough.

With 20 games to play for both teams, the Red Sox move into frontrunner status for the division crown. These two clubs will not meet again until the final series of the regular season, Oct. 1-3 at Fenway Park. Toronto now finds itself tied with Baltimore for the first AL Wild Card spot after the Orioles pulled out a 3-1 victory over Detroit on Sunday afternoon. The Tigers and Yankees remained two games back of the Blue Jays.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Papi’s latest against Benoit: Of all the big hits both teams delivered, Ortiz’s three-run shot against Joaquin Benoit proved to be the difference. It gave the Red Sox a 10-8 lead in the sixth, and Boston never trailed again. It was Ortiz’s 535th career homer, putting ahead of Jimmie Foxx for 18th on the all-time list, just one behind Mickey Mantle. It was Ortiz’s second career home against Benoit. The other was the game-tying grand slam in Game 2 of the 2013 American League Championship Series.

Hanley answers Encarnacion: When Ramirez came to the plate as the second batter in the fifth inning, the crowd at Rogers Centre …

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