Blue Jays Vs. Red Sox: Boston Blows Out Toronto, 9-1

Well, they didn't get completely well. But after losing the first game of their four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays and falling to 2-10, the Boston Red Sox took the next three games, including Monday morning's contest in a 9-1 blowout.

Boston's Patriots Day heroes were among the club's least likely. In the first inning, new (and perhaps temporary) leadoff man J.D. Drew tripled high off the center-field fence. Dustin Pedroia followed with a walk, but Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero struck out Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis, both swinging. David Ortiz then walked to load the bases, though.

That brought up Jed Lowrie, whose hot start has led to calls for more playing time, and Lowrie drove a single to right field, scoring Drew and Pedroia for the early 2-0 lead. Lowrie singled in the third, in the fifth he launched a two-run homer over the Green Monster for a 5-0 lead, and he made it a four-hit day with another single in the sixth. 

Kevin Youkilis chipped in with a two-run homer in the sixth, and in the seventh Jacoby Ellsbury extended his team lead with his fourth home run of the season.

Meanwhile, Daisuke Matsuzaka entered his third start of the season with two losses and a 12.86 ERA, but pitched seven scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and one walk, with three strikeouts. Dice-K's ERA dropped to 6.53; more to the point, his slot in the rotation now seems safe for a while.

Matsuzaka exited after throwing only 89 pitches. Alfredo Aceves pitched a perfect eighth, but the Jays finally got on the board in the ninth when Yunel Escobar victimized Tim Wakefield for his second home run of the season.

The Red Sox are still just 5-10, and they're still in last place. But the sun was shining over Fenway Park today, and finally there are some rays of hope for a team that was supposed to win 95 games this season.

For more on the Blue Jays and Red Sox, please check out team blogs Bluebird Banter and Over The Monster.