Lawrie, Encarnacion lift Jays past Red Sox
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Brett Lawrie drove in three runs, Edwin Encarnacion belted a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox, 7-3, in the middle test of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
J.P. Arencibia launched a tiebreaking solo home run in the seventh inning for the Blue Jays, who had snapped a three-game losing streak with Friday's 6-1 win.
Carlos Villanueva (5-0) pitched 6 1/3 innings for Toronto. He limited the Red Sox to four hits, three of which came in the second. Jarrod Saltalamacchia's three-run homer was the right-hander's lone blemish.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
"It was kind of a test, keeping the game within reach," said Villanueva. "Our guys came through, J.P. and Eddie, in a big way."
Aaron Cook (2-3) gave up five runs -- three earned -- on four hits over 6 1/3 innings to absorb the loss.
After Arencibia hit a leadoff blast over the Green Monster, Yunel Escobar reached on an error with one out in the seventh. Rajai Davis drew a two-out walk, prompting Boston manager Bobby Valentine to take the ball from Franklin Morales and bring in Matt Albers.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Escobar and Davis executed a double steal before both men scored on a single by Lawrie.
The Blue Jays tacked on another run in the ninth on a fielder's choice.
Saltalamacchia opened the scoring by snapping a personal 0-for-14 skid. Adrian Gonzalez singled to lead off the second and Cody Ross followed with a double before the Boston catcher sent Villanueva's offering over the right field wall for his 18th home run of the season.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Toronto loaded the bases with no outs in the next frame on a double, an error and a single. Cook, though, managed to limit the damage to one run on Lawrie's sacrifice fly.
The Blue Jays tied the game in the sixth when Colby Rasmus drew a two-out walk and Encarnacion crushed a home run over the Green Monster.
"You can't walk guys before you give up home runs," admitted Cook. "That at- bat I just kind of lost command a little bit and I was trying to get back into it with Encarnacion coming up next and just left one that kind of leaked back a little bit."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}
Game Notes
The Red Sox honored recently-retired catcher and former team captain Jason Varitek in a pre-game ceremony...Villanueva had thrown 12 scoreless innings in his two previous July starts...Encarnacion matched a career high with his 26th home run of the year...Left-hander J.A. Happ, acquired in a 10-player trade with the Houston Astros on Friday, made his Toronto debut, recording the final two outs in the seventh...The Blue Jays placed relief pitcher Jason Frasor on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 17, with right forearm tightness.