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Red Sox try for series victory over Blue Jays

Jul 6, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox take aim at a series win this evening when they play the rubber match of their three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park.

After losing the opener, the Red Sox bounced back on Tuesday with a 3-2 win, but it wasn't easy. Leading 3-0 heading into the ninth, Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon surrendered a two-run home run to Jose Bautista. The Jays then put runners on first and second and appeared to tie the game on John McDonald's single, but Darnell McDonald fired a strike to Jason Varitek at home.

The catcher blocked the plate and Edwin Encarnacion's left leg deflected to the side, but his right one appeared to touch the plate before the tag was applied. Nevertheless, home plate umpire Brian Knight signaled out.

"We should still be playing right now," claimed Blue Jays manager John Farrell "It was clear that Edwin did a good job sliding around the plant leg of [Varitek]. His swipe tag missed him by no less than a foot."

Dustin Pedroia belted what turned out to be the game-deciding homer and the Red Sox overcame an injury to Jon Lester. Three Boston relievers didn't miss a beat after Lester was forced to leave after four innings because of a left lat strain, but Papelbon nearly blew it before holding on for his 18th save of the year.

Lester, who didn't allow a hit, hurt a muscle in his upper back on the left side before being replaced by Matt Albers (3-3) to begin the fifth.

"I've never taken myself out of a game unless it was something significant," Lester said. "I'll have it looked at tomorrow and see how I feel. Hopefully we have the All-Star break built in. Hopefully we won't have to do anything drastic around here."

Tonight, the Red Sox will rely on knuckle-balling right-hander Tim Wakefield, who is 4-3 with a 4.82 ERA and is coming off a horrific outing his last time out. Wakefield was shelled by the hapless Houston Astros on Friday for five runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 frames, but was bailed out by his team and received a no-decision in the 7-5 win.

Wakefield, who is three wins shy of 200 for his career, has faced the Blue Jays 56 times (42 starts) and is 17-14 against them with a 3.87 ERA. His 42 starts against Toronto are his most against any team.

Heading to the hill for the Jays tonight will be left-hander Ricky Romero, who is 7-7 with a 2.75 earned run average. Romero did not get a decision on Friday against Philadelphia, as he allowed four runs (two earned) and six hits in 6 1/3 innings. He also walked four batters in his team's 7-6 loss.

Romero lost the last time he faced the Red Sox and is a mere 2-5 lifetime against them with a 7.69 ERA in 10 starts.

Boston has won seven of 11 against the Blue Jays this season.