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Blue Jays Beat Sox, End Nine-Game Skid

What’s the easiest way to end a season-killing nine-game losing streak? Catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield on a really bad night. Friday, Wakefield took the mound against the Jays in Toronto, and put together a decent outing through four innings. His pretty good night turned pretty bad in the fifth inning, and in a matter of minutes, a 2-1 lead became a 6-2 deficit.

The Sox bats did what they could to keep up, but just could not break Toronto starter Casey Janssen. They knocked around 11 hits and drew two walks against Janssen, but managed to only score three runs in a 6-3 loss, snapping Toronto’s nine-game skid.

Sox Stud of the Game

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF: Following an 0-fer to snap his 22-game hitting streak, Ellsbury picked up right where he left off on Friday and began a new streak. Jacoby went 2-5 with an RBI double in the second inning and an RBI single in the fourth.

Sox Dud of the Game

David Ortiz, DH: Papi has appeared as the “dud” far more than any other player this season, and Friday night was no different for the former slugger. Ortiz was the only Sox player without a hit, going 0-4 and leaving four men on base. Hey, at least he didn’t strike out.

Game Notes

W: Casey Jannsen (1-1)
L: Tim Wakefield (6-3)
S: Scott Downs (6)

• The Blue Jays scored five runs in the fifth inning on three doubles and a single.
• J.D. Drew homered in the seventh to help the Sox inch closer, but it was not enough.
• At the bottom of the order, Julio Lugo finished 2-3 with a walk to raise his average to .276. C’mon, Papi, Lugo is hitting nearly 100 points higher than you are!
• Wake’s final line: 4.2 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 5 K

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: David Ortiz, J.D. Drew, Jacoby Ellsbury, Julio Lugo, Red Sox, Tim Wakefield, Toronto Blue Jays