Red Sox struggle vs. knuckleballer Dickey

BOSTON — The defending American League East champion Blue Jays now have the Red Sox in their sights after Friday night’s 5-2 victory in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park.

The game ended dramatically, with Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna striking out Xander Bogaerts on a 99-mph fastball. Bogaerts represented the tying run, and the strikeout ended his 26-game hitting streak.

Backed by a strong starting effort by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who earned the win, the third-place Blue Jays trail the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games in the division. To get to this point, Toronto has reeled off nine wins over its past 11 games. The last time the Jays were this close to first place was May 7. Boston has lost three in a row and six of nine.

Edwin Encarnacion and Devon Travis led Toronto’s attack by hitting two-run homers. Encarnacion staked his team to a 2-0 lead with a rocket to center in …

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