Ernie Clement’s RBI lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox 5-3; Toronto stays in playoff chase

Ceddanne Rafaela hit a sacrifice fly in the third inning and led off the fifth with a solo home run as Boston (64-55) lost its fourth straight. Wilyer Abreu had a solo shot in the fourth.

Patrick Sandoval (1-1) allowed four runs — two earned — on eight hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out four. Tyron Guerrero and Seth Martinez came out of the visitors’ bullpen.

TAKEAWAYS

Red Sox: Catcher Adley Rutschman was activated off the 10-day injured list less than an hour before the opening pitch to make his Boston debut. Rutschman hasn’t played since July 18, when he was still a member of the Baltimore Orioles, because of left wrist inflammation. The Red Sox traded three of their top prospects to get the switch-hitting Rutschman from Baltimore at the trade deadline. He went 0-for-3, including the game-ending groundout, with two walks.

Blue Jays: Cease jokingly told Toronto manager John Schneider that he could throw 130 pitches in the start to give the Blue Jays beleaguered bullpen a rest. He threw 104 over his five innings, forcing Schneider to once again put the ball into the hands of Toronto’s overused relievers.

KEY MOMENT

Clement hit a ground ball to Boston second baseman Nick Sogard who threw to shortstop Andruw Monasterio, forcing out Alejandro Kirk. Springer scored from third for Toronto’s first lead of the game.

KEY STAT

Toronto’s relievers combined for 39 1/3 innings of work over the previous eight days heading into Tuesday’s game when they accounted for four more innings.

UP NEXT

Jose Soriano (9-6) takes the mound for Toronto in the third game of the four-game set with Boston.

Ranger Suarez (4-3) gets the start for the Red Sox.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 11, 2026.

John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Ernie Clement’s RBI lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox 5-3; Toronto stays in playoff chase

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