Final: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 1 - Boston's bullpen shuts down Blue Jays, Narvaez and Lowe combine for 4 RBI's

The Red Sox win game one of their series in Toronto defeating the Blue Jays 4-1.

With only a half-game lead in the AL wild card standings, the Red Sox needed a victory, and Boston's bullpen played a key role in getting the win today.

The Red Sox scored the first run of the game in the second inning. Masataka Yoshida lead off the inning with a double, and Nathaniel Lowe sent Yoshida home with an RBI base hit.

Boston's initial lead didn't last for long. In the fourth inning, Lucas Giolito allowed a base hit and double to start the inning, and Andres Gimenez recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice play to tie the game for Toronto.

Despite allowing one earned run, Giolito was taken out of the game after pitching 4.2 innings. The righty allowed only three hits, but he also walked four batters. In each of his innings, a runner was able to make it on base.

In the sixth inning, the Red Sox scored three runs against Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman. Romy Gonzalez lead the charge with a double, followed by a Ceddanne Rafaela base hit which put runners in the corners. Lowe then hit Boston's third consecutive hit of the inning, driving in another RBI to give Boston the lead back.

And with two outs in the inning, Carlos Narvaez drove in two more runs with an RBI double, turning the game into a 4-1 lead for the Red Sox.

Boston's bullpen shutdown the Blue Jays the rest of the game. Justin Wilson, who took over for Giolito in the fifth inning, pitched 1.1 innings and was credited for the win.

Following Wilson, Garrett Whitlock and Justin Slaten pitched back-to-back 1-2-3 innings in the seventh and eighth, and Aroldis Chapman picked up his 32nd save of the year.

This was an extremely efficient game from the bullpen, and the Red Sox helped support quality pitching by recording nine hits. Despite the walks and unnecessary errors made by Trevor Story, the Red Sox didn't let these mistakes get the better of them in the field. 

An overall great way to start a do-or-die stretch of baseball to end the season.

The Red Sox continue their series tomorrow at 7:07 p.m. with Garrett Crochet on the mound.

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WHO: Red Sox (85-71) vs Blue Jays (90-66)
WHEN: 7:07 p.m.
WHERE: Rogers Centre, Toronto
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0), (3-7)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Lucas Giolito (10-4, 3.46 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.38 ERA)
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LIVE BOX

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Trevor Story (R) SS
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Masataka Yoshida (L) DH
Romy Gonzalez (R) 2B
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Carlos Narváez (R) C

SP Lucas Giolito

BLUE JAYS

George Springer (R) DH
Daulton Varsho (L) CF
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Addison Barger (L) 3B
Alejandro Kirk (R) C
Nathan Lukes (L) RF
Davis Schneider (R) LF
Andrés Giménez (L) SS
Ernie Clement (R) 2B

SP Kevin Gausman

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox look to keep their place in the AL wild card standings as they start an important three-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Wilyer Abreu will play for the first time since Aug. 17.

Ali Sanchez will remain in the Red Sox organization after being DFA'd.

MLB's 11-man competition committee approved the use of the automated ball/strike system.