Garrett Crochet pitched eight scoreless innings, Carlos Narvaez hit a three-run home run and the visiting Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-1 on Wednesday night.
Crochet (18-5) allowed three hits and no walks while striking out six to lower his ERA to 2.59.
Masataka Yoshida added a solo homer and an RBI double while Trevor Story contributed three hits to help the Red Sox (87-71) to their second straight win to open the three-game series. Romy Gonzalez had two hits and two RBIs.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa homered for Toronto in the ninth against Payton Tolle.
The Blue Jays (90-68) have lost six of their last games. They began the day with a one-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East.
The Red Sox have won four of five as they close in on a postseason berth