AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 TORONTO 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 x 6 7 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: BOS - CLAY BUCHHOLZ, MANNY DELCARMEN (5TH), BRYAN COREY (7TH), JAVIER LOPEZ (7TH), MIKE TIMLIN (8TH), JONATHAN PAPELBON (8TH) AND JASON VARITEK TOR - JESSE LITSCH, CASEY JANSSEN (7TH), SCOTT DOWNS (8TH), JEREMY ACCARDO (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN HOME RUNS: BOS - J.D. DREW (9) OFF JESSE LITSCH IN THE 5TH, 0 ON TOR - RUSS ADAMS (2) OFF JONATHAN PAPELBON IN THE 8TH, 3 ON</div>
AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">AL FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BOSTON 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 1 TORONTO 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 x 6 7 0 (FINAL) BATTERIES: BOS - CLAY BUCHHOLZ, MANNY DELCARMEN (5TH), BRYAN COREY (7TH), JAVIER LOPEZ (7TH), MIKE TIMLIN (8TH), JONATHAN PAPELBON (8TH) AND JASON VARITEK TOR - JESSE LITSCH, CASEY JANSSEN (7TH), SCOTT DOWNS (8TH), JEREMY ACCARDO (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN WP - JESSE LITSCH (6-9) LP - CLAY BUCHHOLZ (3-1) SAVE - JEREMY ACCARDO (28) HOME RUNS: BOS - J.D. DREW (9) OFF JESSE LITSCH IN THE 5TH, 0 ON TOR - RUSS ADAMS (2) OFF JONATHAN PAPELBON IN THE 8TH, 3 ON TIME: 2:53 ATT: 34,927 PROBABLES: TOR - ROY HALLADAY (15-7, 3.82) NYY - CHIEN-MING WANG (18-7, 3.82) PROBABLES: BOS - JOSH BECKETT (19-6, 3.20) TAM - SCOTT KAZMIR (13-8, 3.54)</div>
AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">BOSTON (1) VS TORONTO (6) - FINAL BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Ellsbury cf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .366 D Pedroia 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .318 D Ortiz dh 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .319 M Lowell 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .327 J Drew rf 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 .261 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 .252 E Hinske 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .216 B Kielty lf 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .244 J Lugo ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .240 Totals 29 1 3 1 4 4 10 BATTING: HR - J Drew (9, 5th inning off J Litsch 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Drew (53). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Lowell 1, J Lugo 2. GIDP - M Lowell. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - J Ellsbury (8, 2nd base off J Accardo/G Zaun). FIELDING: E - C Buchholz (1, throw). Outfield assists - B Kielty (R Adams at 3rd base). TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg V Wells cf 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .245 M Stairs 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .295 L Overbay 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242 A Rios rf 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 .297 F Thomas dh 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .272 C Thigpen pr-dh 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .203 A Hill 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .278 G Zaun c 3 2 1 0 1 0 2 .248 A Lind lf 4 1 1 0 0 2 5 .227 R Johnson lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .245 R Adams 3b 4 1 2 5 0 1 0 .333 R Olmedo ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .194 Totals 29 6 7 5 5 9 14 BATTING: 2B - G Zaun (23, C Buchholz). HR - R Adams (2, 8th inning off J Papelbon 3 on, 2 Out). S - A Hill. RBI - R Adams 5 (9). 2-out RBI - R Adams 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Rios 1. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - A Rios (16, 2nd base off M Timlin/J Varitek). FIELDING: DP: 1 (R Olmedo-A Hill-M Stairs). ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON - 000 010 000 -- 1 TORONTO - 000 020 04x -- 6 ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era C Buchholz (L, 3-1) 4 2/3 5 2 1 2 5 0 1.59 M Delcarmen 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.27 B Corey 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 J Lopez 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.03 M Timlin 1/3 0 3 3 2 0 0 3.66 J Papelbon 2/3 1 1 1 0 2 1 1.96 TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era J Litsch (W, 6-9) 6 2/3 2 1 1 4 1 1 4.16 C Janssen (H, 24) 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.44 S Downs (H, 25) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.28 J Accardo (S, 28) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 2.27 IBB - G Zaun (by M Timlin). HBP - B Kielty (by J Litsch); A Rios (by M Timlin). Pitches-strikes: C Buchholz 68-46; M Delcarmen 20-14; B Corey 13-7; J Lopez 1-1; M Timlin 16-5; J Papelbon 16-11; J Litsch 95-57; C Janssen 11-7; S Downs 2-2; J Accardo 13-11. Ground balls-fly balls: C Buchholz 4-4; M Delcarmen 1-2; B Corey 1-0; J Lopez 1-0; M Timlin 1-0; J Papelbon 0-0; J Litsch 11-8; C Janssen 1-1; S Downs 0-1; J Accardo 0-1. Batters faced: C Buchholz 20; M Delcarmen 5; B Corey 3; J Lopez 1; M Timlin 4; J Papelbon 3; J Litsch 26; C Janssen 3; S Downs 1; J Accardo 4. UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--Scott Barry. 2B--C.B. Bucknor. 3B--Joe West. T--2:53. Att--34,927. Weather: 77 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, out to center.</div>
AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON (1) AT TORONTO (6) - HOW THEY SCORED ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON 5TH: J Drew homered to right. J Varitek grounded out to first. E Hinske grounded out to first. B Kielty walked. J Lugo flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 5TH: G Zaun doubled to deep right. A Lind singled to center, G Zaun to third. R Adams reached on infield single to second, G Zaun scored, A Lind to second. R Olmedo reached on infield single to pitcher, A Lind to third, R Adams to second, A Lind scored, R Adams to second, R Olmedo to second on throwing error by pitcher C Buchholz.R Adams thrown out at third attempting to advance on play. V Wells walked. M Stairs struck out swinging. M Delcarmen relieved C Buchholz. A Rios flied out to left. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. TORONTO 8TH: M Timlin relieved J Lopez. A Rios hit by pitch. A Rios stole second. F Thomas walked. C Thigpen ran for F Thomas. A Hill sacrificed to pitcher, A Rios to third, C Thigpen to second. G Zaun intentionally walked. J Papelbon relieved M Timlin. A Lind struck out swinging. R Adams homered to right, A Rios, C Thigpen and G Zaun scored. R Olmedo struck out swinging. (4 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 6.</div>
AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BOSTON (1) AT TORONTO (6) - EVENT LOG ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Boston Starting Lineups -- J Ellsbury CF, D Pedroia 2B, D Ortiz DH, M Lowell 3B, J Drew RF, J Varitek C, E Hinske 1B, B Kielty LF, J Lugo SS, C Buchholz RHP. Toronto Starting Lineups -- V Wells CF, M Stairs 1B, A Rios RF, F Thomas DH, A Hill 2B, G Zaun C, A Lind LF, R Adams 3B, R Olmedo SS, J Litsch RHP. Umpires -- Ed Hickox (HP), Scott Barry (1B), C.B. Bucknor (2B), Joe West (3B). Gametime Weather: 77 degrees, Clear, wind out to center at 12 mph. BOSTON 1ST: J Ellsbury walked. D Pedroia lined out to right. D Ortiz walked, J Ellsbury to second. M Lowell grounded into double play, second to shortstop to first, D Ortiz out at second.(0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 1ST: V Wells popped out to first. M Stairs struck out swinging. A Rios grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. BOSTON 2ND: J Drew grounded out to third. J Varitek struck out swinging. E Hinske grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 2ND: F Thomas walked. A Hill flied out to left. G Zaun flied out to left. A Lind struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. BOSTON 3RD: B Kielty grounded out to second. J Lugo flied out to right. J Ellsbury grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 3RD: R Adams lined out to left. R Olmedo grounded out to second. V Wells grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. BOSTON 4TH: D Pedroia grounded out to shortstop. D Ortiz popped out to shortstop. M Lowell flied out to left. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 4TH: M Stairs struck out swinging. A Rios grounded out to shortstop. F Thomas singled to center. A Hill struck out looking. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 0, TORONTO 0. BOSTON 5TH: J Drew homered to right. J Varitek grounded out to first. E Hinske grounded out to first. B Kielty walked. J Lugo flied out to left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 0. TORONTO 5TH: G Zaun doubled to deep right. A Lind singled to center, G Zaun to third. R Adams reached on infield single to second, G Zaun scored, A Lind to second. R Olmedo reached on infield single to pitcher, A Lind to third, R Adams to second, A Lind scored, R Adams to second, R Olmedo to second on throwing error by pitcher C Buchholz.R Adams thrown out at third attempting to advance on play. V Wells walked. M Stairs struck out swinging. M Delcarmen relieved C Buchholz. A Rios flied out to left. (2 Runs, 4 Hits, 1 Error) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. BOSTON 6TH: J Ellsbury grounded out to second. D Pedroia lined out to center. D Ortiz flied out to right. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. TORONTO 6TH: F Thomas struck out swinging. A Hill reached on infield single to third. G Zaun fouled out to third. A Lind grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. BOSTON 7TH: M Lowell fouled out to first. J Drew grounded out to second. J Varitek walked. E Hinske singled to center, J Varitek to second. B Kielty hit by pitch, J Varitek to third, E Hinske to second. C Janssen relieved J Litsch. J Lugo grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. TORONTO 7TH: B Corey relieved M Delcarmen. R Adams struck out swinging. R Olmedo grounded out to shortstop. V Wells walked. J Lopez relieved B Corey. M Stairs grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. BOSTON 8TH: L Overbay at first base. J Ellsbury reached on infield single to first. D Pedroia flied out to right. S Downs relieved C Janssen. D Ortiz flied out to right. J Accardo relieved S Downs. J Ellsbury stole second. M Lowell struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 2. TORONTO 8TH: M Timlin relieved J Lopez. A Rios hit by pitch. A Rios stole second. F Thomas walked. C Thigpen ran for F Thomas. A Hill sacrificed to pitcher, A Rios to third, C Thigpen to second. G Zaun intentionally walked. J Papelbon relieved M Timlin. A Lind struck out swinging. R Adams homered to right, A Rios, C Thigpen and G Zaun scored. R Olmedo struck out swinging. (4 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 6. BOSTON 9TH: R Johnson in left field. J Drew struck out swinging. J Varitek struck out swinging. E Hinske fouled out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) BOSTON 1, TORONTO 6.</div>
Litsch outpitches Buchholz as Blue Jays sweep Red Sox <h3>TORONTO 6, BOSTON 1</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- Clay Buchholz grabbed the pregameheadlines, but Jesse Litsch proved to be the dominant starter onWednesday. Litsch pitched 6 2/3 solid innings to lead the Toronto Blue Jaysto a 6-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Russ Adams put the game out of reach with the first grand slamof his career in the eighth inning for the Blue Jays, whocompleted a sweep of the three-game series with the Red Sox andmoved two games over .500 at 77-75. Litsch (6-9) allowed just one run and two hits while walkingfour and striking out one to snap a three-start losing streakand beat the Red Sox for the second time this season. The22-year-old righthander upstaged his counterpart by keeping theball down, recording 11 outs on the ground and not allowing ahit until J.D. Drew led off the fifth with his ninth homer ofthe season. Buchholz (3-1), who became just the third pitcher in majorleague history to hurl a no-hitter in one of his first twostarts when he stymied the Baltimore Orioles on September 1,managed to hold Toronto hitless for the first 3 2/3 frames inthis one before Frank Thomas singled. The 23-year-old righthander was making a spot start as Bostonattempts to line up its rotation for the postseason, givingDaisuke Matsuzaka a few extra days off. He was sharp until the fifth, when he allowed four consecutivehits to begin the frame. Gregg Zaun doubled to deep right tolead off the inning and Adam Lind moved him to third with asingle up the middle. Adams followed by grounding an infield single to second base,just barely beating Buchholz to the bag to plate Zaun from thirdand even the game at 1-1. Ray Olmedo followed with a dribblerdown the third base line, which Buchholz fielded. The youngster then attempted to cut down the lead runner bybackhanding a throw to third, but the ball sailed past the bagand down the left field line, allowing Lind to score thego-ahead run. Buchholz was pulled after walking Vernon Wells and striking outMatt Stairs. He was charged with two runs - one earned - andfive hits while walking two and striking out five. Boston's bullpen was victimized for the second night in a row asMike Timlin loaded the bases with two walks - one intentional -and a hit batsman before closer Jonathan Papelbon came on andallowed Adams' grand slam on a 95 mile-per-hour fastball. With the loss, the Red Sox (90-63) saw their lead in theAmerican League East Division over the New York Yankees (88-64)reduced to 1 1/2 games. New York posted a 2-1 victory overBaltimore on Wednesday.
AL: BOSTON at TORONTO <div class="pre">BOSTON (1) VS TORONTO (6) - FINAL BOSTON ab r h rbi bb so lob avg J Ellsbury cf 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 .366 D Pedroia 2b 4 0 0 0 0 0 2 .318 D Ortiz dh 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 .319 M Lowell 3b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .327 J Drew rf 4 1 1 1 0 1 0 .261 J Varitek c 3 0 0 0 1 2 0 .252 E Hinske 1b 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .216 B Kielty lf 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 .244 J Lugo ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 4 .240 Totals 29 1 3 1 4 4 10 BATTING: HR - J Drew (9, 5th inning off J Litsch 0 on, 0 Out). RBI - J Drew (53). Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - M Lowell 1, J Lugo 2. GIDP - M Lowell. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - J Ellsbury (8, 2nd base off J Accardo/G Zaun). FIELDING: E - C Buchholz (1, throw). Outfield assists - B Kielty (R Adams at 3rd base). TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg V Wells cf 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 .245 M Stairs 1b 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 .295 L Overbay 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .242 A Rios rf 3 1 0 0 0 0 2 .297 F Thomas dh 2 0 1 0 2 1 0 .272 C Thigpen pr-dh 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 .203 A Hill 2b 3 0 1 0 0 1 2 .278 G Zaun c 3 2 1 0 1 0 2 .248 A Lind lf 4 1 1 0 0 2 5 .227 R Johnson lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .245 R Adams 3b 4 1 2 5 0 1 0 .333 R Olmedo ss 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .194 Totals 29 6 7 5 5 9 14 BATTING: 2B - G Zaun (23, C Buchholz). HR - R Adams (2, 8th inning off J Papelbon 3 on, 2 Out). S - A Hill. RBI - R Adams 5 (9). 2-out RBI - R Adams 4. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A Rios 1. Team LOB - 6. BASERUNNING: SB - A Rios (16, 2nd base off M Timlin/J Varitek). FIELDING: DP: 1 (A Hill-R Olmedo-M Stairs). ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON - 000 010 000 -- 1 TORONTO - 000 020 04x -- 6 ---------------------------------------------------- BOSTON ip h r er bb so hr era C Buchholz (L, 3-1) 4 2/3 5 2 1 2 5 0 1.59 M Delcarmen 1 1/3 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.27 B Corey 2/3 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 J Lopez 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.03 M Timlin 1/3 0 3 3 2 0 0 3.66 J Papelbon 2/3 1 1 1 0 2 1 1.96 TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era J Litsch (W, 6-9) 6 2/3 2 1 1 4 1 1 4.16 C Janssen (H, 24) 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.44 S Downs (H, 25) 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.28 J Accardo (S, 28) 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 3 0 2.27 IBB - G Zaun (by M Timlin). HBP - B Kielty (by J Litsch); A Rios (by M Timlin). Pitches-strikes: C Buchholz 68-46; M Delcarmen 20-14; B Corey 13-7; J Lopez 1-1; M Timlin 16-5; J Papelbon 16-11; J Litsch 95-57; C Janssen 11-7; S Downs 2-2; J Accardo 13-11. Ground balls-fly balls: C Buchholz 4-4; M Delcarmen 1-2; B Corey 1-0; J Lopez 1-0; M Timlin 1-0; J Papelbon 0-0; J Litsch 11-8; C Janssen 1-1; S Downs 0-1; J Accardo 0-1. Batters faced: C Buchholz 20; M Delcarmen 5; B Corey 3; J Lopez 1; M Timlin 4; J Papelbon 3; J Litsch 26; C Janssen 3; S Downs 1; J Accardo 4. UMPIRES: HP--Ed Hickox. 1B--Scott Barry. 2B--C.B. Bucknor. 3B--Joe West. T--2:53. Att--34,927. Weather: 77 degrees, clear. Wind: 12 mph, out to center.</div>
Litsch outpitches Buchholz as Blue Jays sweep Red Sox <h3>TORONTO 6, BOSTON 1</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- Clay Buchholz grabbed the pregameheadlines, but Jesse Litsch proved to be the dominant starter onWednesday. Litsch pitched 6 2/3 solid innings to lead the Toronto Blue Jaysto a 6-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Russ Adams put the game out of reach with the first grand slamof his career in the eighth inning for the Blue Jays, whocompleted a sweep of the three-game series with the Red Sox andmoved two games over .500 at 77-75. "We played very good," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "This team has a lot of heart and a lot of character. We don't win every game, but it'snot for lack of effort." Litsch (6-9) allowed just one run and two hits while walkingfour and striking out one to snap a three-start losing streakand beat the Red Sox for the second time this season. The22-year-old righthander upstaged his counterpart by keeping theball down, recording 11 outs on the ground and not allowing ahit until J.D. Drew led off the fifth with his ninth homer ofthe season. "It's great to go out and sweep these guys," Litsch said. "My big pitches were my changeup and my two-seamer. We're trying to end the season on a goodnote and I wanted to go out and have a good outing, which I did." Buchholz (3-1), who became just the third pitcher in majorleague history to hurl a no-hitter in one of his first twostarts when he stymied the Baltimore Orioles on September 1,managed to hold Toronto hitless for the first 3 2/3 frames inthis one before Frank Thomas singled. The 23-year-old righthander was making a spot start as Bostonattempts to line up its rotation for the postseason, givingDaisuke Matsuzaka a few extra days off. "I felt fine," said Buchholz, who suffered his first career loss. "I thought I was going to go out there and be a little rusty, but right off the batI felt good with the fastball, command and secondary pitches." He was sharp until the fifth, when he allowed four consecutivehits to begin the frame. Gregg Zaun doubled to deep right tolead off the inning and Adam Lind moved him to third with asingle up the middle. Adams followed by grounding an infield single to second base,just barely beating Buchholz to the bag to plate Zaun from thirdand even the game at 1-1. Ray Olmedo followed with a dribblerdown the third base line, which Buchholz fielded. The youngster then attempted to cut down the lead runner bybackhanding a throw to third, but the ball sailed past the bagand down the left field line, allowing Lind to score thego-ahead run. "He just tried to make a play that wasn't there," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "Obviously the more he pitches and competes the better he's goingto feel in his surroundings." "It was just a mental lapse, I guess," Buchholz said. "I didn't think I had a play at first so I tried to go to third. I think I would have had (Lind)if I wouldn't have double-clutched (the throw)." Buchholz was pulled after walking Vernon Wells and striking outMatt Stairs. He was charged with two runs - one earned - andfive hits while walking two and striking out five. Boston's bullpen was victimized for the second night in a row asMike Timlin loaded the bases with two walks - one intentional -and a hit batsman before closer Jonathan Papelbon came on andallowed Adams ' grand slam on a 95 mile-per-hour fastball. "Tonight I blew the game," Timlin said. "It was my fault for putting (Papelbon) in that situation - he never should have been there." "I've got to be able to bail my team out in that situation," Papelbon said. "(Adams) was just sitting on a heater and I can't walk the guy. It's just one of those situations where somebody's got to give in and unfortunately it was me." Adams matched his career high with five RBI in the game. "It was a good pitch to hit," Adams said. "Papelbon's got to throw a strike, and that's his strength. Fortunately I got the bat-head to one." With the loss, the Red Sox (90-63) saw their lead in theAmerican League East Division over the New York Yankees (88-64)reduced to 1 1/2 games. New York posted a 2-1 victory overBaltimore on Wednesday.
Litsch outpitches Buchholz as Blue Jays sweep Red Sox <h3>TORONTO 6, BOSTON 1</h3>TORONTO (Ticker) -- Clay Buchholz grabbed the pregameheadlines, but Jesse Litsch proved to be the dominant starter onWednesday. Litsch pitched 6 2/3 solid innings to lead the Toronto Blue Jaysto a 6-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Russ Adams put the game out of reach with the first grand slamof his career in the eighth inning for the Blue Jays, whocompleted a sweep of the three-game series with the Red Sox andmoved two games over .500 at 77-75. "We played very good," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "Thisteam has a lot of heart and a lot of character. We don't winevery game, but it's not for lack of effort." Litsch (6-9) allowed just one run and two hits while walkingfour and striking out one to snap a three-start losing streakand beat the Red Sox for the second time this season. The22-year-old righthander upstaged his counterpart by keeping theball down, recording 11 outs on the ground and not allowing ahit until J.D. Drew led off the fifth with his ninth homer ofthe season. "It's great to go out and sweep these guys," Litsch said. "Mybig pitches were my changeup and my two-seamer. We're trying toend the season on a good note and I wanted to go out and have agood outing, which I did." Buchholz (3-1), who became just the third pitcher in majorleague history to hurl a no-hitter in one of his first twostarts when he stymied the Baltimore Orioles on September 1,managed to hold Toronto hitless for the first 3 2/3 frames inthis one before Frank Thomas singled. The 23-year-old righthander was making a spot start as Bostonattempts to line up its rotation for the postseason, givingDaisuke Matsuzaka a few extra days off. "I felt fine," said Buchholz, who suffered his first careerloss. "I thought I was going to go out there and be a littlerusty, but right off the bat I felt good with the fastball,command and secondary pitches." He was sharp until the fifth, when he allowed four consecutivehits to begin the frame. Gregg Zaun doubled to deep right tolead off the inning and Adam Lind moved him to third with asingle up the middle. Adams followed by grounding an infield single to second base,just barely beating Buchholz to the bag to plate Zaun from thirdand even the game at 1-1. Ray Olmedo followed with a dribblerdown the third base line, which Buchholz fielded. The youngster then attempted to cut down the lead runner bybackhanding a throw to third, but the ball sailed past the bagand down the left field line, allowing Lind to score thego-ahead run. "He just tried to make a play that wasn't there," Boston managerTerry Francona said. "Obviously the more he pitches andcompetes the better he's going to feel in his surroundings." "It was just a mental lapse, I guess," Buchholz said. "I didn'tthink I had a play at first so I tried to go to third. I think Iwould have had (Lind) if I wouldn't have double-clutched (the throw)." Buchholz was pulled after walking Vernon Wells and striking outMatt Stairs. He was charged with two runs - one earned - andfive hits while walking two and striking out five. Boston's bullpen was victimized for the second night in a row asMike Timlin loaded the bases with two walks - one intentional -and a hit batsman before closer Jonathan Papelbon came on andallowed Adams ' grand slam on a 95 mile-per-hour fastball. "Tonight I blew the game," Timlin said. "It was my fault forputting (Papelbon) in that situation - he never should have beenthere." "I've got to be able to bail my team out in that situation,"Papelbon said. "(Adams) was just sitting on a heater and I can'twalk the guy. It's just one of those situations wheresomebody's got to give in and unfortunately it was me." Adams matched his career high with five RBI in the game. "It was a good pitch to hit," Adams said. "Papelbon's got tothrow a strike, and that's his strength. Fortunately I got thebat-head to one." With the loss, the Red Sox (90-63) saw their lead in theAmerican League East Division over the New York Yankees (88-64)reduced to 1 1/2 games. New York posted a 2-1 victory overBaltimore on Wednesday.
