Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer, Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in three runs and Jon Lester pitched a solid six innings to carry the Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Blue Jays yesterday in Boston.
The win gave Boston consecutive victories for the first time this season. The Red Sox began the day 3-10, the worst record in the major leagues, and can win the series against Toronto when Daisuke Matsuzaka faces Ricky Romero in the traditional Patriots Day game today.
Lester (1-1) gave up one run, six hits and three walks while striking out five. He was pulled with two on and no out in the seventh after an error by shortstop Jed Lowrie. Daniel Bard relieved and Juan Rivera lined into a double play before Yunel Escobar struck out.
Bobby Jenks struck out J.P. Arencibia to end the eighth with two runners on base, and Dan Wheeler got the final three outs to secure the win.
Carl Crawford, given the day off Saturday, was back in the Boston lineup. He didn’t hit the ball out of the infield, going 0-for-4 to drop his average to .127.
Indians 4, Orioles 2
In Cleveland, Grady Sizemore homered in his return for Cleveland after major knee surgery, and the Indians handed Baltimore its seventh straight loss.
Carlos Santana and Travis Hafner also homered for the first-place Indians, who have won seven in a row at home and 11 of 13.
Twins 4, Rays 2
In St. Petersburg, Brian Duensing allowed two runs over seven innings, Matt Tolbert had an RBI triple and the Twins stopped a four-game skid.
Before the game, Minnesota manager Ron Gardenhire said Matt Capps would be his team’s new closer, taking over for Joe Nathan, who blew saves Thursday and Saturday.
Rays left fielder Johnny Damon left with a bruise on the tip of his left ring finger. He was hurt while attempting to bunt during the third, and was replaced defensively by Matt Joyce in the fifth.
Angels 4, White Sox 2
In Chicago, Dan Haren (4-0) pitched into the seventh inning for his fourth win of the season, Maicer Izturis had three hits and the Angels completed a three-game sweep. Mark Buehrle (1-1) took the loss as the Chisox lost their fourth straight game.
Mariners 3, Royals 2
In Kansas City, Michael Pineda (2-1) pitched six strong innings and Brendan Ryan had a two-run tiebreaking single as the Mariners snapped a four-game skid.
Athletics 5, Tigers 1
In Oakland, Trevor Cahill (2-0) pitched eight solid innings and Josh Willingham broke out of a slump with a two-run single in the fifth. Brad Penny (0-2) gave up five runs in five-plus innings and took the loss.
