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Punto leads Red Sox past Blue Jays

Jun 3, 2012 - 12:22 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Nick Punto finished with three hits, including a solo blast, and knocked in two runs as the Red Sox downed the Blue Jays, 7-4, in the second test of a three-game set Saturday at Rogers Centre.

Daniel Nava also plated a pair while Ryan Sweeney and Will Middlebrooks each added an RBI and a run scored for Boston, which has won five of its last six contests.

Felix Doubront (6-2) worked 6 1/3 innings, yielding three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits and a walk with seven strikeouts to earn the victory. Alfredo Aceves tossed a perfect ninth to nail down his 14th save of the season.

"I'm working for this everyday," remarked Doubront. "Every time I go on the mound I try to give my 100 percent, no matter what. That's the main thing."

Kyle Drabek (4-6) absorbed the loss after allowing five runs -- four earned -- on six hits and four walks in 6 2/3 innings. Jose Bautista and Jeff Mathis each clubbed solo shots in the setback as the Blue Jays took their second loss in as many nights.

"I think more than anything, it was the two-out hit that was a little more elusive," remarked Blue Jays manager John Farrell after his team left six runners on base. "It just seemed to be the way today went."

Boston grabbed the lead with four runs in the second -- all with two outs.

Jarrod Saltalamacchia worked a one-out walk and Sweeney singled two batters later to put runners on the corners before Middlebrooks singled over the head of Bautista in right to score Saltalamacchia.

Punto then scorched a double down the right-field line to plate Sweeney before Nava ripped a sinking liner into center that was misplayed by Colby Rasmus as Middlebrooks and Punto crossed home to double the Boston lead.

The Blue Jays got their first hit -- and first run -- with one out in the third as Mathis' third home run of the year made it a 4-1 contest.

In the fourth, Kevin Youkilis launched a leadoff double off the wall in right field, moved to third on a bad throw from Bautista and finally scored on a double-play groundout from Middlebrooks.

Toronto answered in the bottom half as David Cooper reached first when Doubront mishandled a chopper back to the mound and Mathis followed with a bunt single. Kelly Johnson then lifted a blooper into left field and Cooper crossed the plate to bring the Jays within 5-2.

Bautista's leadoff blast in the bottom of the fifth found the Blue Jays down just two runs, but Sweeney's RBI groundout in the eighth restored the Boston lead to three runs.

Toronto got one back in the bottom of the eighth as Edwin Encarnacion singled to start the frame and Brett Lawrie followed two batters later with a single to Sweeney in right. Sweeney double-clutched on his throw to second and the ball slipped out of his hands and rolled through the outfield.

The right fielder chased the ball down, but not before Encarnacion crossed home to make it a 6-4 contest.

Boston got the run back in the ninth when Punto belted a leadoff homer over the wall in right to restore a three-run lead for the visitors.

Game Notes

Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia missed his fifth straight game with a sore thumb...The Blue Jays claimed RHP Chris Schwinden off waivers from the New York Mets and designated RHP Daniel Farquhar for assignment...Both teams were charged with two errors in the game.