Back in saddle, Price effective in win

TORONTO — David Price pitched 51⁄3 innings to win his first start since being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run homer and the Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5-2 on Saturday.

Price (3-4) skipped Wednesday’s start against the Yankees after experiencing numbness during a bullpen session last weekend.

Making his first start in nine days, the left-hander allowed two runs on five hits. He walked three and struck out six for his first victory since April 17. Price threw 93 pitches, including 55 strikes.

Andrew Benintendi went 3for-5 with two RBIs and Mookie Betts had three hits for the Red Sox, who have won 14 of their last 17 north of the border.

Justin Smoak hit a solo home run for the Blue Jays, who have lost seven of 10 at home.

Price came in 0-3 in his previous three outings but avoided the first four-start skid of his career. He struck out four straight batters over the second and third innings.

Price improved to 18-3 against the Blue Jays in his career. He’s 12-1 in 17 starts at Rogers Centre, including 8-0 in 11 starts as a visitor. Price made six home starts for the Blue Jays in 2015 after being acquired from the Tigers at the trade deadline.

Price left one batter after Smoak’s leadoff shot in the sixth. The home run was Smoak’s first since April 30.

Carson Smith got two outs, Hector Velazquez and Joe Kelly each worked one inning and Craig Kimbrel finished for his 11th save in 13 chances.

Red Sox outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. went 0-for-4 after sitting out the previous three games. He’s 5-for-54 with no extra-base hits and 26 strikeouts in his last 17 games.