The Red Sox’ four-game winning streak is over.
And so is some of the hope that John Lackey might have turned a corner.
The righty gave up seven runs and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings today, paving the way for a 9-7 loss to the Blue Jays at Fenway Park. It was a return to ugliness for Lackey, who was more than solid his last time out in Philadelphia.
Lackey’s ERA ballooned to 7.47 on the year. His WHIP is a hefty 1.63.
Toronto scored one in the first, two in the second and finally chased Lackey with a four-run third. Boston’s bullpen held the Jays’ bats largely at bay, and a four-run fifth put the Sox back in the game. But runs in the seventh and eighth eventually sealed it for Toronto.
Jays closer Frank Francisco struck out the side in the ninth.
Kevin Youkilis left the game in the fourth after being hit by a Brandon Morrow pitch.
Jacoby Ellsbury was a bright spot, batting 4-for-5 with an RBI triple.
Aaron Hill and Travis Snider collected three hits apiece for Toronto.
