Red Sox 0 - 1 Blue Jays
Final/11
  for this game

Red Sox pay a visit to Toronto

Sep 5, 2011 - 2:56 PM

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(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox try to avoid falling further behind in the American League East this afternoon when they open a four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

All of the Red Sox' final 23 games will come against teams in their division. They are an American League best 32-17 in such games this season.

Boston, though, dropped two of three to the Texas Rangers over the weekend and has fallen 1 1/2 games back of the New York Yankees in the division. In Sunday's rubber match at Fenway Park, the Red Sox found themselves on the wrong end of an 11-4 decision.

Marco Scutaro hit a two-run single and David Ortiz also knocked in a run for the Red Sox, while John Lackey (12-11) was rocked in the setback for eight hits and six runs with three walks over five-plus frames.

Hoping to get them untracked today, the Red Sox will hand the ball to righty Josh Beckett, who has won his last three starts. Beckett defeated the Yankees on Wednesday, as he allowed five runs (four earned) and six hits in seven innings to improve to 12-5 on the year to go along with a 2.54 ERA.

Beckett beat the Jays the last time he faced them, but is 4-6 lifetime in this matchup with a 6.57 ERA over 15 starts.

Toronto, meanwhile, will counter with right-handed rookie Henderson Alvarez, who picked up his first big league win his last time out. Alvarez scattered three hits over eight scoreless innings to beat the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday. He is 1-2 on the year with a 3.52 ERA.

"He just pitched a phenomenal game," said Blue Jays acting manager Don Wakamatsu. "I think it breathes a little life into the offense. We've been swinging the bats better lately."

He has never faced the Red Sox.

Toronto had its hands full with the New York Yankees over the weekend, as the Jays were swept in the three-game series, falling in Sunday's finale, 9-3. Mark Teahen finished with a pair of hits and drove in a run and Jose Bautista posted a solo homer for the Blue Jays, who have lost eight of 11.

Brett Cecil (4-8) was charged in defeat for five hits and five runs -- four earned -- over six full frames.

The Red Sox have beaten the Jays in eight of 12 matchups this season.






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