Martinez homers, has 3 RBIs as Red Sox beat Jays

TORONTO — J.D. Martinez and the Boston Red Sox wrapped up their longest road trip of the season so far the same way they’ve finished off almost every series: with a win.

Martinez homered and had three RBIs, Mookie Betts had two hits and made a sensational diving catch, and the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Sunday.

Boston is 12-1 in series finales this season, winning its past six. The Red Sox went 6-4 on a trip to Texas and AL East rivals New York and Toronto.

“Overall, I think we had a really good road trip,” Martinez said.

Boston also assured it will keep at least a share of the best record in the majors with the Yankees.

“To come out of a road trip like that is definitely something to be proud of,” said reliever Joe Kelly, who needed four pitches to record his second save in three opportunities.

Boston, which has already had two three-city trips, plays 13 of its next 16 and 19 of its next 26 at Fenway Park.

“It’s nice to go home, play in front of our own fans and sleep in our own beds,” Martinez said.

Martinez’s 10th homer was a two-run shot in the first inning off right-hander Joe Biagini (0-2). John Axford came on to face Martinez in the fifth, and Martinez greeted him with an RBI single, scoring Betts.

Betts, who had two singles and two stolen bases, ended the fourth by sliding into foul territory down the right-field line to catch Richard Urena’s sinking liner.

“He’s becoming a force, not only the field but in the clubhouse, in the dugout,” manager Alex Cora said. “He’s becoming a leader. It’s fun to watch. On a daily basis you’re expecting something great and he’ll do it.”

Russell Martin had three hits for the Blue Jays, who lost for the eighth time in 11 home games. Toronto is 11-11 at Rogers Centre.

The Blue Jays chased left-hander Drew Pomeranz during a three-run fifth. Justin Smoak hit a two-run double and Yangervis Solarte walked before Hector Velazquez replaced Pomeranz. One out later, Martin added an RBI single to get Toronto within 4-3.

Pomeranz allowed three runs and five hits in fourplus innings, failing to complete six innings for the first time in three starts.

“Nothing felt good coming out of my hand,” Pomeranz said.

Velazquez (5-0) worked two scoreless innings. Matt Barnes and Heath Hembree each pitched one inning, and Kelly finished.

“They did an outstanding job,” said Cora, who was without closer Craig Kimbrel and setup man Carson Smith, both of whom needed a day off.

Solarte singled off Barnes in the seventh and tried to score from first on Martin’s two-out double, but was thrown out at home plate to end the inning. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts fielded the throw from left fielder Andrew Benintendi and fired it to catcher Christian Vazquez, who tagged Solarte to preserve Boston’s narrow lead.

“Pretty solid,” Cora said. “Under control. Nobody panicked.”

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said he had no problem with third-base coach Luis Rivera’s decision to send Solarte.

“When the team’s struggling, you try to score some runs,” Gibbons said. “Those kind of things happen.”

Making his third start of the season and pitching in place of the injured Marcus Stroman, Biagini allowed four runs and four hits in 42⁄3 innings.

Tom Szczerbowski / Getty Images Brock Holt, right, of the Boston Red Sox is caught stealing third base in the ninth inning as Josh Donaldson of the Toronto Blue Jays tags him out at Rogers Centre on Sunday in Toronto.