BOSTON - Jacoby Ellsbury hit a three-run homer, Jarrod Saltalamacchia drove in three runs and Jon Lester pitched a solid six innings to carry the Boston Red Sox to an 8-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday.
The win gave Boston consecutive victories for the first time this season. The Red Sox began the day 3-10, the worst record in the major leagues, and can win its first series when Daisuke Matsuzaka faces Ricky Romero in the traditional Patriots Day game Monday.
Lester (1-1) gave up one run, six hits and three walks while striking out five. He was pulled with two on and no out in the seventh after an error by shortstop Jed Lowrie. Daniel Bard relieved and Juan Rivera lined into a double play before Yunel Escobar struck out.
Bobby Jenks struck out J.P. Arencibia to end the eighth with two runners on base, and Dan Wheeler got the final three outs to secure the win.
Arencibia had two hits for the Blue Jays, who have lost seven of their last 10.
