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Romero solid as Blue Jays down Red Sox

Apr 12, 2012 - 4:36 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Ricky Romero outdueled Jon Lester, while Rajai Davis had an RBI triple and scored two runs as the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Boston Red Sox, 3-1, on Wednesday.

Romero (1-0), who retired 17 consecutive Red Sox hitters at one point, gave up a run on three hits and two walks while fanning five in 8 1/3 innings.

"When he's on, he's on," said Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz. "He wasn't making that many mistakes and he went through every hitter. When things get like that, it's tough to hit."

Sergio Santos recorded the final two outs in the ninth for his first save after blowing his first opportunity for one against Boston on Monday.

Jose Bautista was 0-for-3 and didn't register a hit in the series (0-for-11).

Lester (0-1) was the hard-luck loser after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six in his seventh career complete game.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell called the game a "classic duel" between Romero and Lester.

"We were able to manufacture three runs," said Farrell. "But Ricky was the story here. It was a really good lineup he went against."

Jacoby Ellsbury drove in the lone run for the Red Sox, who have lost five of their first six games to begin 2012 after a 2-10 start last season.

The Red Sox opened the scoring with a run in the visitor's third. Cody Ross and Mike Aviles began the frame with back-to-back singles and Kelly Shoppach followed with a sacrifice bunt. Ellsbury slapped an opposite field single to left field, which brought home Aviles.

Toronto, though, answered with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take the lead. After Eric Thames singled to start the inning, J.P. Arencibia struck out swinging.

Davis then lined a triple down the right-field line to plate Thames and Davis came home on Yunel Escobar's sacrifice fly to right field.

The Jays added an insurance run in the eighth as Davis showcased his blazing speed. He reached first with a two-out walk and then stole second, even though Lester had him picked off at first base. Davis then came flying around third and scored on Escobar's single up the middle.

Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia led off the top of the ninth with back-to-back walks. Adrian Gonzalez then moved them both over with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Santos came on for Romero and struck out Kevin Youkilis before getting Ortiz to ground out to Escobar at shortstop to end the game.

Game Notes

Davis had six triples in 2011...Romero moved to 5-6 in his career against the Red Sox...Lester's last complete game came against San Francisco on June 27, 2010...The Red Sox will head to Boston for their home opener Friday to kickstart a four-game series against Tampa Bay.