MLB: Boston 4, Toronto 1

BOSTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Josh Beckett tossed seven innings of one-run ball and Jed Lowrie smacked a two-run homer for the Red Sox Saturday in Boston's 4-1 win over Toronto.

Beckett (2-1), who shut the New York Yankees out over eight innings in his previous start for the struggling Red Sox, held the Blue Jays to three hits, walking two and striking out nine.

Daniel Bard hurled a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon notched his second save with a 1-2-3 ninth as the Red Sox avoided a fourth straight loss and improved to an American League-worst 3-10.

Lowrie finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored while Adrian Gonzalez and Kevin Youkilis each added a hit and an RBI for Boston.

Jo-Jo Reyes (0-2) lasted only three innings for Toronto, coughing up four runs on seven hits.

Travis Snider drove in the Blue Jays' only run.