TORONTO, Sept. 8 (UPI) -- A three-run homer by J.P. Arencibia helped stake Toronto to an early lead Thursday and the Blue Jays fought off Boston 7-4.
For the second straight night the Blue Jays prevented the Red Sox from moving closer to the first-place New York Yankees in the American League East. New York has a 2 1/2-game lead over Boston.
Arencibia's homer finished off a four-run second inning and Edwin Encarnacion hit a solo shot in the third to give Toronto a 5-0 advantage.
Boston clawed back into the contest with a three-run seventh that was highlighted by Marco Scutaro's two-run single, but the Blue Jays got a solo homer from Eric Thames in the seventh and an RBI double in the eighth from David Cooper to expand their advantage.
Ricky Romero (14-10) went 6 2/3 innings to earn the victory, allowing three runs on five hits. Romero has won seven of his last nine starts.
Andrew Miller (6-3) was roughed up for five runs on eight hits in five innings to suffer the loss.
