Buchholz continues mastery of Jays, Red Sox take series opener

Toronto, ON, Canada (AHN Sports) – Clay Buchholz won his sixth start at Rogers Centre as he went a season-high eight innings, and the Boston Red Sox got back on track with a 7-2 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night in the opener of a three-game set.

It was the first win in four starts overall for Buchholz (5-2), who gave up two runs, both on solo homers, and six hits in eight innings.

Buchholz, who became the first opposing pitcher to win six straight road starts against the Blue Jays, walked two and struck out seven, also a season high.

Buchholz moved to 6-2 with a 1.72 ERA in eight career starts in Toronto.

David Ortiz led the run support for Buchholz by belting his 13th homer of the season, and sixth in a contest started by Buchholz.

Ortiz, who also drove in a pair, has ripped 30 long balls in 95 career games at Rogers Centre, his most home runs in any park other than Fenway.

Adrian Gonzalez and Daniel Nava combined for seven hits in support of Buchholz’s strong outing. Gonzalez went 3-for-5, while Nava hit three doubles for the victors.

Yunel Escobar and David Cooper homered off Buchholz, as Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez (3-5) took the loss for the host Jays, who were coming off a three-game sweep of the Orioles.

Alvarez yielded four runs on eight hits over 6 1-3 innings.

With the victory, the Red Sox tied the Blue Jays at 27-25, good for fourth in the AL East. The two clubs are three games behind first-place Tampa Bay.

Meanwhile, Kyle Drabek (4-5, 4.55 ERA) will attempt to bounce back as he takes the mound for Toronto Saturday in the second test of this three-game series.

Drabek will try to redeem himself after getting shelled in his last outing against the mighty bats of the Texas Rangers.

Boston will counter with Felix Doubront (5-2, 3.86 ERA), who comes in winning three of his last four contests.

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