GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (70-68) at BOSTON (84-55)

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Adams ran for G Zaun.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, R ADAMS ON FIRST, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 4
BOSTON 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: J McDonald (.249, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - SCORING UPDATE
TWO-RUN HOME RUN BY VERNON WELLS (16) TO CENTER WITH 1 OUT
IN THE 9TH OFF HIDEKI OKAJIMA SCORED RUSS ADAMS.
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4

DUE UP FOR TORONTO: M STAIRS (.310, 1-FOR-4, RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 2 6 11 0
BOSTON 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 4 9 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - JEREMY ACCARDO
BOS - HIDEKI OKAJIMA

DUE UP FOR BOSTON: J ELLSBURY (.441, 1-FOR-3, SF, RBI)
D ORTIZ (.318, 2-FOR-3, BB)
M LOWELL (.330, 1-FOR-3, BB)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">TORONTO (6) VS BOSTON (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
V Wells cf 5 2 3 2 0 0 0 .254
M Stairs lf 5 1 1 1 0 0 1 .309
A Rios rf 5 0 2 1 0 1 0 .310
F Thomas dh 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .271
T Glaus 3b 4 1 2 1 0 0 3 .263
L Overbay 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .245
A Hill 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .269
G Zaun c 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 .240
R Adams pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .214
J McDonald ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .249

Totals 36 6 11 6 1 4 11

BATTING: 2B - A Rios (37, C Schilling); G Zaun (21, C Schilling). HR - T Glaus
(20, 8th inning off M Delcarmen 0 on, 1 Out), V Wells (16, 9th inning off H
Okajima 1 on, 1 Out). S - J McDonald. RBI - M Stairs (56), A Rios (74), F
Thomas (82), T Glaus (62), V Wells 2 (76). 2-out RBI - M Stairs, A Rios, F
Thomas. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - G Zaun 2, T Glaus 1, J
McDonald 1. GIDP - M Stairs. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Stairs (D Ortiz at 2nd base). DP: 1 (L
Overbay-J McDonald).


BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Lugo ss 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .239
J Ellsbury lf 3 1 1 1 0 0 3 .441
D Ortiz dh 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 .318
M Lowell 3b 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .330
J Drew rf 4 0 0 1 0 1 4 .254
K Youkilis 1b 3 1 0 0 0 2 5 .288
J Varitek c 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 .262
C Crisp cf 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .266
A Cora 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 .245

Totals 29 4 9 4 5 4 21

BATTING: 2B - J Ellsbury (3, S Marcum); C Crisp (25, B Wolfe). HR - J Varitek
(13, 6th inning off B Wolfe 1 on, 2 Out). S - C Crisp. SF - J Ellsbury. RBI - J
Drew (49), J Ellsbury (7), J Varitek 2 (60). 2-out RBI - J Varitek 2. Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - A Cora 1, D Ortiz 1, K Youkilis 3. Team LOB -
9.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A Cora-J Lugo-K Youkilis).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 000 030 012 -- 6
BOSTON - 100 012 00 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
S Marcum 5 5 2 2 3 2 0 3.74
B Wolfe 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 2.02
B League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6.75
S Downs 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.47
C Janssen 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 2.28
J Accardo 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.34

BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
C Schilling 6 8 3 3 1 2 0 4.04
B Corey 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
M Delcarmen 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.60
H Okajima 1 1 2 2 0 1 1 1.79

B League pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP - C Janssen. HBP - K Youkilis (by B Wolfe); G Zaun (by H Okajima).
Pitches-strikes: S Marcum 89-53; B Wolfe 21-14; B League 4-0; S Downs 5-5; C
Janssen 22-13; J Accardo 5-4; C Schilling 90-63; B Corey 8-7; M Delcarmen 14-8;
H Okajima 16-10. Ground balls-fly balls: S Marcum 5-6; B Wolfe 1-2; B League
0-0; S Downs 0-1; C Janssen 0-1; J Accardo 2-0; C Schilling 7-9; B Corey 3-0; M
Delcarmen 1-1; H Okajima 1-1. Batters faced: S Marcum 21; B Wolfe 6; B League
1; S Downs 2; C Janssen 5; J Accardo 2; C Schilling 27; B Corey 3; M Delcarmen
4; H Okajima 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Kerwin Danley. 1B--Doug Eddings. 2B--Mike Everitt. 3B--Dana
Demuth.

Weather: 63 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 12 mph, in from right.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: C Thigpen catching.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 6
BOSTON 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR BOSTON: J Ellsbury (.441, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL AT BOSTON - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: R Johnson in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 6
BOSTON 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR BOSTON: J Ellsbury (.441, 1-FOR-3, RBI)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 2 6 11 0
BOSTON 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 4 9 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, BRIAN WOLFE (6TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (7TH), SCOTT
DOWNS (7TH), CASEY JANSSEN (7TH), JEREMY ACCARDO (8TH) AND
GREGG ZAUN, CURTIS THIGPEN (9TH)

BOS - CURT SCHILLING, BRYAN COREY (7TH), MANNY
DELCARMEN (8TH), HIDEKI OKAJIMA (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK

HOME RUNS: TOR - TROY GLAUS (20) OFF MANNY DELCARMEN IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
VERNON WELLS (16) OFF HIDEKI OKAJIMA IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

BOS - JASON VARITEK (13) OFF BRIAN WOLFE IN THE 6TH, 1 ON</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">AL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
TORONTO 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 2 6 11 0
BOSTON 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0 0 4 9 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: TOR - SHAUN MARCUM, BRIAN WOLFE (6TH), BRANDON LEAGUE (7TH), SCOTT
DOWNS (7TH), CASEY JANSSEN (7TH), JEREMY ACCARDO (8TH) AND
GREGG ZAUN, CURTIS THIGPEN (9TH)

BOS - CURT SCHILLING, BRYAN COREY (7TH), MANNY
DELCARMEN (8TH), HIDEKI OKAJIMA (9TH) AND JASON VARITEK


WP - JEREMY ACCARDO (4-3)
LP - HIDEKI OKAJIMA (3-2)
SAVE - NONE

HOME RUNS: TOR - TROY GLAUS (20) OFF MANNY DELCARMEN IN THE 8TH, 0 ON
VERNON WELLS (16) OFF HIDEKI OKAJIMA IN THE 9TH, 1 ON

BOS - JASON VARITEK (13) OFF BRIAN WOLFE IN THE 6TH, 1 ON


TIME: 3:26 ATT: 37,106

PROBABLES: BOS - TIM WAKEFIELD (16-10, 4.16)
BAL - GARRETT OLSON (1-3, 7.22)

PROBABLES: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (9-8, 4.00)
TAM - EDWIN JACKSON (4-13, 5.78)</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">TORONTO (6) VS BOSTON (4) - FINAL

TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
V Wells cf 5 2 3 2 0 0 0 .254
M Stairs lf 5 1 1 1 0 0 1 .309
C Thigpen c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .227
A Rios rf 5 0 2 1 0 1 0 .310
F Thomas dh 4 0 2 1 0 0 0 .271
T Glaus 3b 4 1 2 1 0 0 3 .263
L Overbay 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .245
A Hill 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 2 .269
G Zaun c 2 1 1 0 1 1 2 .240
R Adams pr 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .214
R Johnson lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J McDonald ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 .249

Totals 36 6 11 6 1 4 11

BATTING: 2B - A Rios (37, C Schilling); G Zaun (21, C Schilling). HR - T Glaus
(20, 8th inning off M Delcarmen 0 on, 1 Out), V Wells (16, 9th inning off H
Okajima 1 on, 1 Out). S - J McDonald. RBI - M Stairs (56), A Rios (74), F
Thomas (82), T Glaus (62), V Wells 2 (76). 2-out RBI - M Stairs, A Rios, F
Thomas. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - G Zaun 2, T Glaus 1, J
McDonald 1. GIDP - M Stairs. Team LOB - 6.

FIELDING: Outfield assists - M Stairs (D Ortiz at 2nd base). DP: 1 (L
Overbay-J McDonald).


BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Lugo ss 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 .239
J Ellsbury lf 4 1 1 1 0 0 3 .429
D Ortiz dh 4 0 2 0 1 0 2 .317
M Lowell 3b 4 0 1 0 1 0 0 .329
J Drew rf 4 0 0 1 0 1 4 .254
K Youkilis 1b 3 1 0 0 0 2 5 .288
J Varitek c 2 2 2 2 2 0 0 .262
C Crisp cf 3 0 2 0 0 0 1 .266
A Cora 2b 4 0 0 0 0 1 5 .245

Totals 32 4 9 4 5 4 21

BATTING: 2B - J Ellsbury (3, S Marcum); C Crisp (25, B Wolfe). HR - J Varitek
(13, 6th inning off B Wolfe 1 on, 2 Out). S - C Crisp. SF - J Ellsbury. RBI - J
Drew (49), J Ellsbury (7), J Varitek 2 (60). 2-out RBI - J Varitek 2. Runners
left in scoring position, 2 out - A Cora 1, D Ortiz 1, K Youkilis 3. Team LOB -
9.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (A Cora-J Lugo-K Youkilis).


----------------------------------------------------
TORONTO - 000 030 012 -- 6
BOSTON - 100 012 000 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
S Marcum 5 5 2 2 3 2 0 3.74
B Wolfe (B, 2) 1 2 2 2 0 0 1 2.02
B League 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 6.75
S Downs 1/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.47
C Janssen 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 2.28
J Accardo (W, 4-3) 1 2/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.30

BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era
C Schilling 6 8 3 3 1 2 0 4.04
B Corey (H, 1) 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00
M Delcarmen (B, 1) 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.60
H Okajima (L, 3-2) 1 1 2 2 0 1 1 1.79

B League pitched to 1 batter in the 7th.

WP - C Janssen. HBP - K Youkilis (by B Wolfe); G Zaun (by H Okajima).
Pitches-strikes: S Marcum 89-53; B Wolfe 21-14; B League 4-0; S Downs 5-5; C
Janssen 22-13; J Accardo 18-12; C Schilling 90-63; B Corey 8-7; M Delcarmen
14-8; H Okajima 16-10. Ground balls-fly balls: S Marcum 5-6; B Wolfe 1-2; B
League 0-0; S Downs 0-1; C Janssen 0-1; J Accardo 3-2; C Schilling 7-9; B Corey
3-0; M Delcarmen 1-1; H Okajima 1-1. Batters faced: S Marcum 21; B Wolfe 6; B
League 1; S Downs 2; C Janssen 5; J Accardo 5; C Schilling 27; B Corey 3; M
Delcarmen 4; H Okajima 5.

UMPIRES: HP--Kerwin Danley. 1B--Doug Eddings. 2B--Mike Everitt. 3B--Dana
Demuth.

T--3:26. Att--37,106.
Weather: 63 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 12 mph, in
from right.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
AL
TORONTO 6
BOSTON 4 FINAL</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (6) AT BOSTON (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOSTON 1ST: J Lugo grounded out to second. J Ellsbury doubled to left.
D Ortiz walked. M Lowell singled to center, J Ellsbury to third, D Ortiz to
second. J Drew grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Ellsbury scored,
M Lowell out at second, D Ortiz to third. K Youkilis struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, BOSTON 1.

TORONTO 5TH: A Hill flied out to right. G Zaun walked. J McDonald popped
out to shortstop. V Wells singled to center, G Zaun to second. M Stairs
singled to left, G Zaun scored, V Wells to second. A Rios singled to right,
V Wells scored, M Stairs to second. F Thomas singled to left, M Stairs scored,
A Rios to third. T Glaus lined out to left. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3,
BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 5TH: J Varitek walked. C Crisp reached on bunt single to third,
J Varitek to second. A Cora struck out bunting foul. J Lugo singled to left,
J Varitek to third, C Crisp to second. J Ellsbury hit sacrifice fly to center,
J Varitek scored. D Ortiz fouled out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 3, BOSTON 2.

BOSTON 6TH: B Wolfe relieved S Marcum. M Lowell popped out to second.
J Drew grounded out to first. K Youkilis hit by pitch. J Varitek homered to
right, K Youkilis scored. C Crisp doubled to center. A Cora flied out to
right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3, BOSTON 4.

TORONTO 8TH: M Delcarmen relieved B Corey. F Thomas grounded out to third.
T Glaus homered to left. L Overbay flied out to left. A Hill struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 4, BOSTON 4.

TORONTO 9TH: H Okajima relieved M Delcarmen. G Zaun hit by pitch. R Adams
ran for G Zaun. J McDonald sacrificed to pitcher, R Adams to second. V Wells
homered to center, R Adams scored. M Stairs fouled out to catcher. A Rios
struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4.</div>

 

AL: TORONTO at BOSTON

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TORONTO (6) AT BOSTON (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Toronto Starting Lineups -- V Wells CF, M Stairs LF, A Rios RF, F Thomas DH,
T Glaus 3B, L Overbay 1B, A Hill 2B, G Zaun C, J McDonald SS, S Marcum RHP.

Boston Starting Lineups -- J Lugo SS, J Ellsbury LF, D Ortiz DH, M Lowell 3B,
J Drew RF, K Youkilis 1B, J Varitek C, C Crisp CF, A Cora 2B, C Schilling RHP.

Umpires -- Kerwin Danley (HP), Doug Eddings (1B), Mike Everitt (2B),
Dana Demuth (3B).

Gametime Weather: 63 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind in from right at 12 mph.


TORONTO 1ST: V Wells grounded out to shortstop. M Stairs flied out to
left. A Rios popped out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
BOSTON 0.

BOSTON 1ST: J Lugo grounded out to second. J Ellsbury doubled to left.
D Ortiz walked. M Lowell singled to center, J Ellsbury to third, D Ortiz to
second. J Drew grounded into fielder's choice to second, J Ellsbury scored,
M Lowell out at second, D Ortiz to third. K Youkilis struck out swinging.
(1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, BOSTON 1.

TORONTO 2ND: F Thomas singled to left. T Glaus singled to left, F Thomas
to second. L Overbay grounded out to second, F Thomas to third, T Glaus to
second. A Hill popped out to second. G Zaun struck out looking. (0 Runs,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 2ND: J Varitek walked. C Crisp sacrificed to catcher, J Varitek to
second. A Cora lined into double play, first to shortstop, J Varitek doubled
off second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0, BOSTON 1.

TORONTO 3RD: J McDonald grounded out to pitcher. V Wells flied out to
center. M Stairs grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 3RD: J Lugo flied out to center. J Ellsbury grounded out to second.
D Ortiz singled to left, D Ortiz out stretching at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 0, BOSTON 1.

TORONTO 4TH: A Rios doubled to left. F Thomas grounded out to shortstop,
A Rios to third. T Glaus grounded into fielder's choice to third, A Rios out at
home. L Overbay struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 4TH: M Lowell flied out to left. J Drew popped out to shortstop.
K Youkilis grounded out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 0,
BOSTON 1.

TORONTO 5TH: A Hill flied out to right. G Zaun walked. J McDonald popped
out to shortstop. V Wells singled to center, G Zaun to second. M Stairs
singled to left, G Zaun scored, V Wells to second. A Rios singled to right,
V Wells scored, M Stairs to second. F Thomas singled to left, M Stairs scored,
A Rios to third. T Glaus lined out to left. (3 Runs, 4 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3,
BOSTON 1.

BOSTON 5TH: J Varitek walked. C Crisp reached on bunt single to third,
J Varitek to second. A Cora struck out bunting foul. J Lugo singled to left,
J Varitek to third, C Crisp to second. J Ellsbury hit sacrifice fly to center,
J Varitek scored. D Ortiz fouled out to third. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors)
TORONTO 3, BOSTON 2.

TORONTO 6TH: L Overbay flied out to left. A Hill fouled out to catcher.
G Zaun doubled to center. J McDonald grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) TORONTO 3, BOSTON 2.

BOSTON 6TH: B Wolfe relieved S Marcum. M Lowell popped out to second.
J Drew grounded out to first. K Youkilis hit by pitch. J Varitek homered to
right, K Youkilis scored. C Crisp doubled to center. A Cora flied out to
right. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3, BOSTON 4.

TORONTO 7TH: B Corey relieved C Schilling. V Wells singled to right.
M Stairs grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, V Wells out at
second. A Rios grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3,
BOSTON 4.

BOSTON 7TH: B League relieved B Wolfe. J Lugo walked. S Downs relieved
B League. J Ellsbury fouled out to third. D Ortiz singled to center, J Lugo to
second. C Janssen relieved S Downs. J Lugo to third, D Ortiz to second on wild
pitch by C Janssen. M Lowell walked. J Drew struck out swinging. K Youkilis
struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 3, BOSTON 4.

TORONTO 8TH: M Delcarmen relieved B Corey. F Thomas grounded out to third.
T Glaus homered to left. L Overbay flied out to left. A Hill struck out
swinging. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 4, BOSTON 4.

BOSTON 8TH: J Varitek reached on infield single to catcher. C Crisp bunt
popped out foul to catcher. J Accardo relieved C Janssen. A Cora grounded into
fielder's choice to shortstop, J Varitek out at second. J Lugo grounded out to
shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 4, BOSTON 4.

TORONTO 9TH: H Okajima relieved M Delcarmen. G Zaun hit by pitch. R Adams
ran for G Zaun. J McDonald sacrificed to pitcher, R Adams to second. V Wells
homered to center, R Adams scored. M Stairs fouled out to catcher. A Rios
struck out swinging. (2 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4.

BOSTON 9TH: C Thigpen catching. R Johnson in left field. J Ellsbury flied
out to center. D Ortiz grounded out to third. M Lowell fouled out to first.
(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4.</div>

 

Wells homers to lift Blue Jays past Red Sox

<h3>TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4</h3>By Mike Salk
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


BOSTON (Ticker) -- Vernon Wells has struggled for much of the 2007season, but the Boston Red Sox always seem to bring out the bestin the Toronto Blue Jays' slugger.


Wells homered in the top of the ninth inning to snap a tie andlead the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory over the Red Sox onWednesday.


Troy Glaus homered and Frank Thomas and Alex Rios each drove ina run and clubbed a pair of hits for Toronto, which avoided asweep with the victory.


Wells signed a seven-year, $126 million contract extension withthe Blue Jays in December, but entered Wednesday's contest withjust a .250 batting average and 15 homers, down from .303 and 32last season. With his two-run blast off reliever HidekiOkajima (3-2), Wells now has 23 career homers off Boston, tyingfor his most against any team.


Okajima was one of the most effective relievers in the majorsthrough July, carrying an ERA of just 0.92. He had allowed justfive earned runs through the first four months of the 2007campaign. Since August 1, the Japanese lefthander has allowedeight earned runs in 14 games.


Closer Jeremy Accardo (4-3) was the fifth man out of the bullpenfor the Blue Jays after starter Shaun Marcum was pulled afterjust five frames. Accardo picked up the win with 1 2/3 inningsof perfect relief.


After failing to drive the ball out of the infield with a man onthird in the fourth, Glaus reminded the Red Sox that he stillhas some power left as he hammered the first pitch he saw fromManny Delcarmen over the "Green Monster" in left field to tiethe game, 4-4, in seventh.


Boston starter Curt Schilling was effective through fourinnings, but things unraveled quickly with two outs in thefifth. With Gregg Zaun aboard after a walk, Vernon Wellssingled to left-center and Matt Stairs pounded a single to left,scoring Zaun on a close play at the plate. Red Sox catcherJason Varitek blocked the plate as the relay came in fromshortstop Julio Lugo, but was high on the tag.


A pair of singles from Rios and Thomas then netted a pair ofruns, giving Toronto a 3-1 lead.


Boston got one back in the ensuing inning. Coco Crisp buntedfor a hit with Varitek already on first. After a failed buntattempt by Alex Cora and a single from Lugo, rookie JacobyEllsbury took a changeup away to center for an RBI sacrificefly. Marcum was very effective in his five innings, but waspulled after just 89 pitches. His first replacement, BrianWolfe, was not quite as successful. He hit Kevin Youkilis witha pitch with two outs and then gave up a two-run homer toVaritek, giving the Red Sox a 4-3 advantage.


After Brandon League and Scott Downs combined to load the basesin the seventh, Casey Janssen came on to strike out both JD Drewand Youkilis. The Fenway Park crowd voiced its displeasurewith the $70 million right fielder with a chorus of boos andjeers.

 

Wells homers to lift Blue Jays past Red Sox

<h3>TORONTO 6, BOSTON 4</h3>By Mike Salk
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


BOSTON (Ticker) - Vernon Wells has struggled for much of theseason, but the Boston Red Sox always seem to bring out the bestin the Toronto Blue Jays' slugger.


Wells homered in the top of the ninth inning to snap a tie andlead the Blue Jays to a 6-4 victory over the Red Sox onWednesday.


Troy Glaus homered and Frank Thomas and Alex Rios each drove ina run and clubbed a pair of hits for Toronto, which avoided asweep with the victory.


Wells signed a seven-year, $126 million contract extension withthe Blue Jays in December, but entered Wednesday's contest withjust a .250 batting average and 15 home runs, down from .303 and32 last season.


With his two-run blast off reliever Hideki Okajima (3-2), Wellsnow has 23 career homers against Boston, tying with Baltimorefor his most against any team.


"I think it's just the atmosphere," Wells said of his success atFenway Park. "It's fun to play here. The fans are great.Along with New York, they're the two best places to play and youwant to perform - and it's just a matter of doing it each andevery night. It's easy to play here because the fans are intothe game and it's a lot of fun."


Okajima was one of the most effective relievers in the majorsthrough July, carrying an ERA of just 0.92. He had allowed justfive earned runs through the first four months of the 2007campaign. Since August 1, the Japanese lefthander has allowedeight earned runs in 14 games.


"I don't think you go through a whole year and never give upruns," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said of Okajima. "He'sthrowing the ball very well."


In terms of calling a game for Okajima, catcher Jason Varitekhas a unique perspective.


"We use all of his pitches and we use both side of the plate,"Varitek said. "But you make mistakes and (tonight) he made amistake."


Closer Jeremy Accardo (4-3) was the fifth man out of the bullpenfor the Blue Jays after starter Shaun Marcum was pulled afterjust five frames. Accardo picked up the win with 1 2/3 inningsof perfect relief.


After failing to drive the ball out of the infield with a man onthird in the fourth, Glaus reminded the Red Sox that he stillhas some power left as he hammered the first pitch he saw fromManny Delcarmen over the "Green Monster" in left field to tiethe game, 4-4, in seventh.


Boston starter Curt Schilling was effective through fourinnings, but things unraveled quickly with two outs in thefifth.


With Gregg Zaun aboard after a walk, Wells singled toleft-center and Matt Stairs pounded a single to left, scoringZaun on a close play at the plate. Red Sox catcher Varitekblocked the plate as the relay came in from shortstop JulioLugo, but was high on the tag.


A pair of singles from Rios and Thomas then netted a pair ofruns, giving Toronto a 3-1 lead.


Boston got one back in the ensuing inning. Coco Crisp buntedfor a hit with Varitek already on first. After a failed buntattempt by Alex Cora and a single from Lugo, rookie JacobyEllsbury took a changeup away to center for an RBI sacrificefly.


"I didn't do the job, but you've got to turn the page," Corasaid. "I don't think one play caused (the outcome) of thegame."


While Cora may be right, the inability of both he and Crisp tomove runners along with bunts was in sharp contrast to Toronto'sJohn McDonald, who executed a perfect sacrifice in the ninth.

"That was big," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "Crisp issuch a good bunter too and we caught a break there. But gamescome down to fundamentals and they were big in this game. Youdon't always see that in ballparks like this."


Marcum was very effective in his five innings, but was pulledafter just 89 pitches. His first replacement, Brian Wolfe, wasnot quite as successful. He hit Kevin Youkilis with a pitchwith two outs and then gave up a two-run homer to Varitek,giving the Red Sox a 4-3 advantage.


After Brandon League and Scott Downs combined to load the basesin the seventh, Casey Janssen came on to strike out both J.D.Drew and Youkilis. The Fenway Park crowd voiced its displeasurewith the $70 million right fielder with a chorus of boos andjeers.