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Happ wins 18th for Jays

The Red Sox scored four times with two outs in the ninth inning to pull off an 8-7 comeback victory over the Rangers.

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Melvin Upton Jr’s two-run homer helped the Toronto Blue Jays move within one game of Boston at the top of the American League East with a 3-2 win over the Red Sox.

Travis is 5-for-9 against him and Jose Bautista (2-for-22) has struggled versus Odorizzi, who is 1-0 with a 2.35 ERA in four starts against Toronto in 2016.Liriano is back on the mound as a starter for the first time since August 26 after two relief appearances as he looks for his second win since being acquired from Pittsburgh. Aaron Sanchez was surprisingly awful today and could not back up his hitting, as he only lasted 3.2 innings, allowing six earned runs to score.

“He was due”, Porcello said, smiling. What, 20 games left?

“I know the very best teams I ever managed were teams that handled themselves in the clubhouse; that handled themselves in the clubhouse and also kept me away from being the manager”, he explained.

When Erin Kerr went online to buy Boston Red Sox tickets during a family trip to MA last month, her 8-year-old daughter Ella lobbied hard for seats in the outfield.

“We’ll be all right”, he said. Everything might just come down to the wire if the six teams keep hanging in there. “He’s pitching with average velocity but his location is tremendous”. Of course I was going to accept the ticket and represent Red Sox Nation that night.

“I mean, Toronto is a very nice to play baseball and a lovely city”, said Ortiz, draped in his trademark gold chain and sunglasses inside the visitors’ clubhouse Sunday evening. “That’s first and foremost”.

Buchholz is 6-10 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.364 WHIP in 33 games (17 starts).

The Red Sox scored once the seventh when Danny Barnes walked Holt before allowing Leon’s double. Pedroia capped the rally with a two-run single off Ryan Tepera.

Robbie Ross Jr. initially went back out for the 6th inning, but when he gave up a leadoff single Farrell chose to go with Brad Ziegler.

– Speaking of tight wild-card races, the Giants and Cardinals took control of the two National League wild card spots with wins.

The Blue Jays lost two of three games at Tropicana Field Sept. 2-4.

J.A. Happ bounced back versus Boston in Saturday afternoon’s much-needed victory but gave up three runs in only 2 2/3 innings tossed in his previous outing at Tampa Bay.

“They just wanted to talk some things out”, Gibbons said. “He lives on the edges and he was just missing”. The rookie is 3-1 with a 1.99 ERA in five career starts. Manager Dave Roberts replaced the oft-injured Hill after 89 pitches, saying there were signs of the return of a blister that has landed him on the disabled list twice this season. “I was hoping he was going to do it again and he did”.

Blue Jays fans gave Ortiz a standing ovation as he returned to the dugout in the eighth inning, his final regular-season at bat in Toronto before his planned retirement in the upcoming off-season. It was his 41st career home run at Rogers Centre, his highest total at any road stadium. “I’ve seen enough of him”, Gibbons joked about Ortiz.

This wasn’t the way the Blue Jays wanted to control Aaron Sanchez’s innings.

Upton got the Blue Jays on the board first, crushing a pitch from Rodriguez to drive in Martin for a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Betts easily strolled into second base with a double and Ortiz hustled around the bases to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Boston recalled LHP Henry Owens from Triple-A Pawtucket.

NOTES: Toronto C Russell Martin (left knee) returned to the lineup Saturday after resting his sore knee Friday. Pinch-hitter Travis Shaw stuck out to end the inning.

“It’s hard to say”, Gibbons said.

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He is 1-1 with a 4.38 ERA in six outings (four starts) since he was acquired in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates on August 1.

1) David Ortiz enjoyed his reunion with Joaquin Benoit