Blue Jays 13 - 10 Red Sox
Final
  for this game

Soaring Jays migrate to Fenway Park

Jun 12, 2015 - 2:32 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The red-hot Toronto Blue Jays enter Fenway Park on Friday night to begin a three-game set with the American League East-rival Boston Red Sox.

Toronto is riding an eight-game win streak as the team now sits one game above .500 (31-30) and three behind the division-leading New York Yankees. The Blue Jays had the day off Thursday, which followed a 7-2 victory over Miami to wrap up a perfect homestand.

The offense blasted four home runs in Wednesday's victory, while rookie Scott Copeland pitched seven innings of one-run ball in his first big league start. The Blue Jays have scored at least five runs in six of their last seven games.

"This lineup is unbelievable from top to bottom," said Jays first baseman Justin Smoak, who supplied one of those four homers. "You just try to get on base for the guy behind you, and we're able to get those big hits. It shows when you win ballgames."

Boston swept Oakland at home last weekend, but then went on the road and got swept at Baltimore this week.

The team is coming off Thursday's 6-5 setback to the Orioles. Red Sox pitchers gave up three home runs in that one, although David Ortiz also hit his 473rd career homer in the loss.

"Against right-handers, (Ortiz) is having a strong year," manager John Farrell said. "Today was another day in that production so far."

Joe Kelly will take the hill for Boston on Friday. The right-hander has faced Toronto twice already this season and has not fared well, giving up 11 runs in 11 2/3 innings.

But he is coming off a solid outing against Oakland last weekend, as he earned his first win since all the way back to his season debut to save his spot in the starting rotation. Kelly tossed six innings against the A's and allowed just one earned run on four hits while striking out six and walking two.

"Whether it's the last couple of starts or even going back to when he first arrived here last year, Joe's got the ability to rise to an occasion inside of a game," Farrell said.

Drew Hutchison gets the nod for Toronto. In two previous starts against Boston this season, the right-hander has allowed seven runs across nine innings. Like Kelly, Hutchison is also coming off a solid outing in his last start as he worked 6 1/3 innings against Houston and yielded only one run on six hits to go with five strikeouts and a walk.

Boston and Toronto have split six meetings so far this season.






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