Sports: Red Sox end four-game losing streak with 6-5 victory over Blue Jays
Vazquez’s four hits lead Red Sox to victory over Jays, snapping four game losing streak
Toronto — Christian Vazquez had four hits, including a two-run home run, Eduardo Nunez added a solo shot and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Monday night, snapping a four-game skid.
Boston also overcame the latest stellar defensive play from Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar, who dived to make a sensational catch on the warning track and take a hit away from Mookie Betts in the sixth. The crowd of 35,630 gave Pillar a standing ovation.
Vazquez singled in the second and fifth innings, homered in the seventh and doubled in the eighth to help the AL East-leading Red Sox avoid their first five-game losing streak of the season.
Since July 29, Vazquez is batting .439 (25 for 57) with eight extra-base hits.
Boston leads the second-place Yankees by 3 1/2 games after New York lost 6-2 against Cleveland. The Yankees and Red Sox begin a fourgame series in New York on Thursday.
Toronto lost for the eighth time in 10 games and dropped to 1-6 at home against the Red Sox. They've been outscored 47-22 in those games. The Blue Jays are 3-8 overall against the Red Sox.
Drew Pomeranz (14-4) allowed three runs in six innings to win his
eighth straight decision, extending his career-long stretch.
Addison Reed and Brandon Workman each worked one inning of relief and Craig Kimbrel pitched around Justin Smoak's two-out, two-run homer in the ninth to earn for his 30th save in 34 chances.
Pomeranz entered with an 11.1-inning scoreless streak but couldn't add to it against Toronto, surrendering a two-run double to Kendrys Morales in the first.
Batting seventh in the order for the first time this season, Red Sox designated hitter Hanley Ramirez doubled in the second on a ball that outfielder Steve Pearce appeared to lose in the lights. Ramirez later scored on a throwing error by catcher Raffy Lopez.
Nunez tied it at 2 with a leadoff shot off Marcus Stroman in the third. Ryan Goins restored Toronto's lead with an RBI single in the fourth.
Ramirez singled off Danny Barnes (2-5) to begin the seventh and Vazquez followed by homering on an 0-2 pitch.
Boston tacked on two more in the inning. Mitch Moreland hit an RBI single off Aaron Loup, and Xander Bogaerts drew a bases-loaded walk against Ryan Tepera.
Ramirez came in 1-for-15 with eight strikeouts in his past four games but finished 2-for-4, his first multihit game since Aug. 22.
Trainer's room
Red Sox: 2B Dustin Pedroia (left knee) ran on the field and is expected to run the bases Wednesday . ... Manager John Farrell said OF Jackie Bradley Jr. (left thumb) is on track to return Saturday against the New York Yankees.
Up next
Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale (14-6, 2.88) has not allowed a run in 15 IP against Toronto this season, recording 24 strikeouts and just two walks. He gave up seven runs in three innings against Cleveland in his previous start.