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Ellsbury, Saltalamacchia power BoSox to second straight win

Apr 18, 2011 - 6:09 AM Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run second inning as Boston downed Toronto, 8-1, in the third installment of a four-game set at Fenway Park.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia added two hits and also drove in three for the Red Sox, who have taken the last two meetings and will try for the series victory on Monday morning in the club's annual Patriots' Day contest.

Jon Lester (1-1) worked six-plus innings to pick up the win, yielding six hits and one run while fanning five for Boston, which won two in a row for the first time all season and upped its record to 4-10.

"Once it all comes together (for us), it's scary. We proved that today," said Saltalamacchia. "But every single day we've got to go out there and do the same thing."

Jesse Litsch (1-1) was tagged in the loss for seven hits and six runs -- four earned -- over six full frames for the Blue Jays, who won 7-6 in Friday's series opener.

After the Jays pushed across a run in the top of the second, Boston responded with four in the home half and never looked back.

Jed Lowrie and J.D. Drew stroked consecutive one-out singles, then Saltalamacchia's base hit plated Lowrie. Ellsbury followed with a blast to right and it was 4-1.

Two more runs came home in the sixth for the Sox, thanks to a two-out rally. David Ortiz singled, then Lowrie reached on a Jayson Nix fielding error and Drew walked prior to Saltalamacchia's two-run base hit. Drew, though, was thrown out trying to score to end the frame.

In the eighth, Boston loaded the sacks with none away thanks to a double from Adrian Gonzalez, Youkilis being hit by a Shawn Camp offering and a walk to Ortiz. Jays second baseman Adam Lind mishandled a Lowrie grounder, causing two runs to come in.

Camp retired the next two batters and Jason Frasor fanned Ellsbury to prevent further damage.

Dan Wheeler closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth.

Toronto picked up its lone run in the second. Aaron Hill worked a leadoff walk, and J.P. Arencibia singled before Travis Snider hit into a double play. Juan Rivera then walked, and on a double steal Hill was able to come home but Rivera was thrown out at second.

"Lester was his usual self and it was tough to generate multiple baserunners or a chance to tack on any runs," said Toronto manager John Farrell.

Game Notes

Boston has won five of its last eight home games against Toronto...Lester's last victory came on September 25 in the Bronx...He was 0-2 with two no-decisions since then...The Red Sox expect to send Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound to face Ricky Romero of the Blue Jays in an 11:05 a.m. (et) start in the series finale.