Final, Red Sox 10-4: Darnell McDonald just made a spectacular catch over the right field wall to rob a homer. That was pretty athletic and may be all over television.
But aside from that defensive gem, the game was all about offense for the Red Sox. Adrian Gonzalez was on fire, collecting three RBIs and two hits to lead the charge.
For the most part, Jon Lester was solid and was rewarded with a win — fair, considering he's pitched better before and been on the opposite side.
End 8th, Red Sox 10-4: And David Ortiz didn't unload No. 400 in this one, instead striking out swinging.
The Fenway faithful really wanted him to crush the monumental home run at home, but now those odds look tough with a long road trip ahead.
Ortiz is currently tied with Dale Murphy and Andres Galarraga for 399 career home runs.
Mid 8th, Red Sox 10-4: Look at Mark Melancon showcasing his cutter, one that induced two ground outs in the eighth.
In Melancon's last outing, he endured a little hiccup, yielding a run. But he's bounced back by throwing a clean inning and backing up his words.
End 7th, Red Sox 10-4: Toronto reliever Luis Perez replaced Jesse Chavez and filled in fine.
He struck out Kelly Shoppach, got Daniel Nava to fly out and induced a ground out from Dustin Pedroia. It was exactly what he was called on to do for the Jays.
Now, Mark Melancon is coming in to relieve for Lester. Melancon told me recently that this is where he belongs and not in Triple-A.
Mid 7th, Red Sox 10-4: That's seven full innings for Lester. If there's one thing that he's done this season is eat up the innings.
He's only had three outings under six innings this season. Lester is still yielding some hits though, giving up seven hits in this one.
I would think that would be Lester's last frame for the game.
End 6th, Red Sox 10-4: Jesse Chavez enjoyed a 1-2-3 inning for the Blue Jays in that one. Someone had to halt Boston's bats.
That's only the second inning in this game that the Red Sox haven't been able to capitalize with a run. That's a pretty impressive performance.
Also, I want to make note that Ryan Kalish replaced Cody Ross and moved to center field. Darnell McDonald moved to right field.
Mid 6th, Red Sox 10-4: Well, Jon Lester is on track to get the victory, but he's allowed four runs in this one.
This is the second time this season that Lester has surrendered more than one home run in a start. This won't do too much with lowering his ERA — he was at 4.48 coming into the game.
Top 6th, Red Sox 10-4: Edwin Encarnacion unloaded a two-run shot over the Green Monster.
End 5th, Red Sox 10-2: This comparable to the most home runs that David Ortiz has delivered before the All-Star break.
By the way, keep in mind that Ortiz unloaded 29 long balls last season, so he's already on pace to annihilate that total. The guy is really motivated by the one-year deal, huh?
Bottom 5th, Red Sox 10-2: David Ortiz clobbers No. 399 for his career and No. 21 on the season.
Mid 5th, Red Sox 9-2: Omar Vizquel grounded out in this at-bat and is now 0-for-2 in the game.
Before Tuesday's game, the 45-year-old told NESN.com that he was planning on retiring at the conclusion of the 2012 season.
It'll cap the end of a long, 24-year career for Vizquel. He was the epitome of longevity as well as flawless defense.
End 4th, Red Sox 9-2: Mike Aviles has gotten into the offensive mix, chipping in an RBI.
While it was charged to Romero, it was Jesse Chavez who was pitching for the Blue Jays. Romero was a little erratic, but struck out Darnell McDonald and Daniel Nava.
Valentine hopes Nava get's some recognition at the end of year, since the outfielder was a recent callup in May.
"I always think there's an All-Star team that's selected at the end of the year that's the one you really want to be on," Valentine said. "But it's a great honor to do the mid-season one also because it counts more doesn't it I guess you know? You're an All-Star for half a year or you're an All-Star for a whole year.''
Bottom 4th, Red Sox 8-2.: Adrian Gonzalez collected another RBI and is really enjoying his best games in awhile.
Mid 4th, Red Sox 7-2: Earlier in the season, Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine praised Jose Bautista for his success over the past few years.
Valentine said sometimes it takes a guy to find that right batting stance in order to flourish. He pointed to Bautista as an example of that.
After allowing the homer, Lester retired the next three batters on seven pitches.
Top 4th, 7-2 Red Sox: Jose Bautista went yard for a solo shot.
End 3rd, Red Sox 7-1: Ricky Romero has managed to settled down and set down the Red Sox order without any issue there.
He leaned on his curveball, changeup and two-seamer to make quick work of the offense. Romero did so in an efficient way that should help him recover after that long first inning.
Mid 3rd, Red Sox 7-1: Jon Lester continues the cruise. The lefty really wants to atone for his last hiccup.
Also, the Red Sox will start Josh Beckett on Saturday, not Friday any more. That will be to adjust to the six-man rotation. So Franklin Morales and Aaron Cook will start the first pair of games.
End 2nd, Red Sox 7-1: Adrian Gonzalez ripped an RBI single to drive in David Ortiz.
That gives him 42 RBIs so far, a notable improvement considering his struggles heading into this recent home stand.
Heading into this game, Gonzalez had 10 hits in his last seven games. Add in his performance so far and it's pretty good.
Mid 2nd, Red Sox 6-1: It took nine pitches for Jon Lester to retire the side.
After his last start, Lester was frustrated because he believed that he's been pitching well and just hasn't gotten the breaks.
With the run support in this one, he's getting help and he's capitalizing with a strikeout.
End 1st, Red Sox 6-1: Unlike Tuesday, the Red Sox offense didn't wait to start a comeback all late and started punching Toronto right back.
Adrian Gonzalez, who has been red hot this entire home stand, continued that stretch, belting a ball that resulted into a fielding error and two runs.
Dustin Pedroia also didn't show any ill effects with his thumb — since he took a beating in the top of the first inning — and ripped a double.
I believe that's the first time the offense has cycled through the order in the first at home.
Mid 1st, Blue Jays 1-0: Just like Tuesday, the Blue Jays have jumped out to a one-run lead.
Dustin Pedroia sprawled to try to scoop Colby Rasmus' ground ball, but it went past his outstretched arm for an RBI single.
Pedroia also slammed down his hand pretty hard, which is the same hand with the torn adductor muscle in his thumb. Then, he was taken down trying to turn a double play.
Ouch.
1 p.m.: Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Cody Ross, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Mike Aviles, SS
Darnell McDonald, CF
Kelly Shoppach, C
Jon Lester, P
Blue Jays
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Colby Rasmus, CF
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Ben Francisco, DH
Yunel Escobar, SS
Rajai Davis, LF
J.P. Arencibia, C
Omar Vizquel, 2B
Ricky Romero, P
8 a.m. ET: The Red Sox (39-35) have won eight of their last 10 games and are 6-2 on their current home stand.
With one more game left in the nine-game homestand, the Red Sox will look to sweep the Blue Jays and cap their best home stretch to date. In order to do so, the club will have Jon Lester take the mound.
Lester, who is 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA this season, logged a quality start in his last appearance, yielding three runs over seven innings against the Braves. He did, however, suffer the loss while surrendering 10 hits and is looking to improve.
The Sox take on Jays starter Ricky Romero, who is 8-1 with a 4.34 ERA on the year. The Sox may be happy to see Romero, a left-hander, considering the Red Sox own a 16-9 record against southpaw starters this season.
For more details and analysis from Fenway, follow NESN.com's live blog. Tune into NESN's pregame show at 12:30 p.m. First pitch is slated for 1:35 p.m.
