Backed by a strong starting effort by knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who earned the win, the third-place Blue Jays trail the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games in the division. To get to this point, Toronto has reeled off nine wins over its past 11 games. The last time the Jays were this close to first place was May 7. Boston has lost three in a row and six of nine.
Edwin Encarnacion and Devon Travis led Toronto's attack by hitting two-run homers. Encarnacion staked his team to a 2-0 lead with a rocket to center in the first against David Price. Travis provided insurance by smoking his two-run shot over the Green Monster against Koji Uehara in the eighth.
For the second time in less than a week, Dickey no-hit the Red Sox over his first five innings. David Ortiz ended the bid with a double into the corner in right to open the sixth. Dickey (3-6, 4.21 ERA) allowed two hits, an unearned run and five walks while striking out four in his 6 2/3 innings.
Price settled down nicely after the misfire to Encarnacion, but took the loss, giving up three runs (two earned) over seven innings. The lefty ace is 17-3 lifetime against the Jays.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Another round number for Papi: When Ortiz broke up Dickey's no-hitter to open the sixth, it was his 500th career double with the Red Sox. Ortiz is just the third to reach that milestone with Boston, joining Carl Yastrzemski (646) and Ted Williams (525). Ortiz added another double in the eighth.
The Ed-Wing: Encarnacion gave the Blue Jays an early lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run shot to left-center field. Toronto's veteran designated hitter has now driven in 12 runs over his last nine games, which brings his season total to a team-high 44. Over those same nine games, Encarnacion is batting .333 (11-for-33), which includes a 3-for-10 mark with runners in scoring position.
Ian Browne has covered the Red Sox for MLB.com since 2002. Follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne and Facebook.
Gregor Chisholm has covered the Blue Jays for MLB.com since 2011. Follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB and Facebook, and listen to his podcast.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
HRs back Dickey as Toronto gains on Boston
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