TORONTO -- With fourth place in the American League East at stake, the Red Sox' offense awoke from its slumber Friday night, sending the Red Sox to an 8-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
The eight runs were the most scored by the Red Sox since Aug. 26 and delivered them just their third win in the month of September.
The victory also snapped a six-game losing streak against Toronto, which clings to a one-game lead over the Sox in the netherworld of the division.
Mauro Gomez slammed a two-run triple in the ninth inning to snap a 5-5 tie. Ryan Lavarnway, who had smashed a three-run homer earlier, delivered Gomez with a sacrifice fly.
Daniel Nava accounted for the rest of the scoring with a two-run single in the sixth.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who had a brutal third inning that saw him hit a batter, walk three others and toss two wild pitches, was in line for his second win of the year before Vicente Padilla and Chris Carpenter allowed the Jays to even the score at 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth.
Andrew Bailey pitched the ninth inning and posted the save.