Red Sox hang on for 6-5 win over Blue Jays

The Boston Red Sox scored three runs in the 10th inning and hung on for a 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

TORONTO – The Boston Red Sox scored three runs in the 10th inning and hung on for a 6-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night to avoid a three-game sweep.

Boston took advantage of an ineffective appearance from reliever David Phelps (0-2), who issued two walks before hitting a batter to bring automatic runner Jackie Bradley Jr., home with the go-ahead run.

Alex Verdugo later tacked on a two-run double off Tim Mayza to help Boston (43-33) win for the eighth time in 10 games.

Matt Strahm (3-2) gave up two runs in the bottom of the 10th before getting George Springer on a flyout with runners in scoring position to complete the victory. Santiago Espinal and Cavan Biggio drove in a run apiece earlier in the frame.

Verdugo also homered and Franchy Cordero had four hits for the Red Sox, who moved a half-game up on third-place Toronto with the victory. Springer hit a solo shot for the Blue Jays (42-33).

After starting a rally with a pinch-hit single in a walkoff victory a night earlier, Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk helped get the offence going again in the series finale.

He drew a leadoff walk from Boston starter Nick Pivetta in the second inning and moved to second on a Raimel Tapia single. Espinal drove in Kirk with the game’s opening run.

Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah retired the first six batters in order before giving up a bunt single to Cordero with the shift on in the third inning.