Projo Sox Blog

Paul Byrd, making his first major-league start since the end of last season, pitched six innings of shutout ball while allowing just three hits, and the Red Sox got to Roy Halladay early in a 7-0 win that completed a weekend sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rocco Baldelli, starting in left field in place of the resting Jason Bay, homered and Kevin Youkilis picked up a single, a double and three RBI.

The Red Sox added distance on both of their closest pursuers in the American League wild-card race. The Rays lost in Detroit, 4-3, while the Rangers fell in Minnesota, 5-3, giving the Sox a 3 1/2-game lead over Texas and a 5 1/2-game lead over Tampa Bay, who will host Boston for a three-game series starting Tuesday.

Boston remains six games behind the Yankees in the American League East. New York completed a three-game home sweep of the White Sox with an 8-3 win.

More on this afternoon's game later.

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