(Sports Network) - The Boston Red Sox broke a six-game hex against the Toronto
Blue Jays Friday night. This afternoon, Clay Buchholz tries to improve on his
impressive mark at the Rogers Centre in the second contest of a three-game
series.
The Red Sox right-hander, who has struggled to an 0-3 mark over his last four
starts, is 8-4 in 14 games (13 starts) versus the Blue Jays. That includes
coming within one out of a complete game on Sept. 9 in a 4-3 loss. Boston has
won eight of his last 11 starts against Toronto. He also has a 6-2 mark with a
1.72 ERA in eight games at the Rogers Centre.
If the Red Sox lose today they'll clinch their first non-winning season since
1997.
Carlos Villanueva, who is 1-5 over his last eight starts, counters for the
Blue Jays. The righty matched up against Buchholz on Sept. 9 at Fenway Park
and pitched six innings in a no-decision. He's 2-1 in eight games (3 starts)
against Boston.
Ryan Lavarnway hit a three-run home run and drove in four in Boston's 8-5
triumph last night. The Red Sox scored three times in the final inning.
Mauro Gomez added two hits, two RBI and scored three times for the Red Sox,
who won for just the third time in their last nine. Daniel Nava also
contributed a pair of hits and drove in two runs.
"That's what we needed tonight, so I'm glad I could provide it," Lavarnway
said.
Chris Carpenter (1-0) recorded the final two outs of the eighth for his first
major league win, and Andrew Bailey shut the door in the ninth for his third
save.
Adam Lind and Brett Lawrie both totaled two hits and an RBI for the Jays,
losers in three of their last four since a four-game win streak.
Darren Oliver (3-3) was charged with the go-ahead run in one-plus relief
innings.
Blue Jays starter Aaron Laffey allowed four hits and three runs over 3 2/3
innings.
"I lost it there for a little bit," Laffey said. "I was just not getting the
job done."
Toronto, which has lost seven of its last nine home games overall, holds a
10-6 lead in the season series.
The Sports Network