Music: {allcanada} BLUE JAYS AIM TO WRAP UP SERIES WIN OVER RED SOX

Thursday, August 15, 2013

{allcanada} BLUE JAYS AIM TO WRAP UP SERIES WIN OVER RED SOX

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(Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays aim to secure a series win over the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox in the finale of their three-game set at Rogers Centre.

Getting the call for the Blue Jays in the finale will be left-handed veteran Mark Buehrle, who has won his last three decisions. Buehrle moved above .500 on Saturday with a win over Oakland, as he gave up three runs in 5 1/3 frames to improve to 8-7 on the year with a 4.43 ERA.

He is 6-9 lifetime versus the Red Sox with a 4.63 ERA in 22 games (21 starts).

Boston has lost five of nine thus far on their current road trip, but the Tampa Bay Rays have faltered even worse and the Red Sox have been able to keep a three- game advantage over them in the American League East.

However, the Red Sox lost some ground on Wednesday, as Brett Lawrie singled in the winning run in the 10th inning to boost Toronto to a 4-3 win.

Boston's Mike Napoli tied the game with a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, but the Red Sox were not able to capitalize with the bases full later in the frame.

"He's streaking, we know it we have to ride it and he came up big in the moment," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Napoli.

The Red Sox wasted a chance with two men on base in the 10th, and in the bottom half Rajai Davis doubled to center and went to third on a groundout. Following an intentional walk to Edwin Encarnacion, Lawrie hit a hot smash that caromed off the glove of shortstop Stephen Drew and into the outfield.

Davis had three hits and two runs scored for the Blue Jays, who snapped a three-game skid. Encarnacion had a pair of doubles and scored twice.

"He gets on and you can't stop him, really," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Davis. "He's a special guy. He can do a little bit everything."

David Ortiz homered for the Red Sox, who lost for the fourth time in six games. Tampa, meanwhile, managed to put the brakes on a six-game skid of their own and gained a game in the standings.

Going for the Red Sox on Thursday will be right-hander Jake Peavy, who is 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA in two starts with the team. After winning his debut Peavy was roughed up by Kansas City, as he allowed six runs and 10 hits in just five innings.

"I didn't feel good stuff-wise or command-wise," said Peavy, who is 9-4 with a 4.50 ERA overall on the year. "There were a lot of two-strike hits, and my stuff just wasn't sharp at all."

Peavy has faced the Blue Jays five times and is 2-0 against them with a 3.60 ERA.

Boston is 9-6 against the Jays this season, going 5-3 across the border.