MLB: Boston 3, Toronto 2

BOSTON, July 5 (UPI) -- Boston left fielder Darnell McDonald threw out Edwin Encarnacion at the plate to end the game Tuesday and preserve Boston's 3-2 victory over Toronto.

Leading 3-0 going into the ninth, the Red Sox had to fight off a determined Toronto comeback and barely hung on to notch their fifth win in six contests.

Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon allowed a leadoff single to Corey Patterson and Jose Bautista followed by blasting a pitch into the right field stands for his major league-leading 28th homer, cutting the deficit to 3-2.

One out later, Encarnacion singled and went to second on J.P. Arencibia's two-out walk. John McDonald then lined a hit to left, where McDonald picked it up and fired home to catcher Jason Varitek.

The receiver blocked the sliding Encarnacion for the game-ending out.

Papelbon ended with his 18th save while Matt Albers (3-3) earned the victory in relief of starter Jon Lester.

Lester left the game after four shutout innings with a strained shoulder muscle.

Dustin Pedroia socked a solo homer while Varitek and J.D. Drew added RBI for Boston.

The Blue Jays' Brett Cecil (1-4) hurled a complete-game loss, surrendering three earned runs on seven hits.