Coming off of an arduous process after undergoing a torn ACL, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman (W, 2-0) needed a dose of encouragement. 

Since returning to the mound last Saturday, Stroman has received just that, earning a crucial victory over the second-place New York Yankees last weekend before shutting down the Boston Red Sox in a stellar showing Friday night, leading the first-place Blue Jays to a 6-1 victory over their AL East rival. 

Stroman lasted seven innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out three for Toronto, who earned their third consecutive win with the impressive performance. 

First baseman Justin Smoak went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, shortstop Ryan Goins chipped in a 2-for-4, one RBI, one run performance, and third baseman Josh Donaldson went 2-for-4 for the Blue Jays, who roughed up Red Sox starter Rick Porcello (L, 8-13) for six runs (five earned) on eight hits over six innings, striking out only four times against the K-machine. 

Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (2-for-4) was the only Red Sox batter to garner multiple base hits, although only two batters went without a base knock. Second baseman Josh Rutledge accounted for Boston's lone RBI, going 1-for-3 on the night. 

The contest began as a pitcher's duel, remaining scoreless until the third inning, when Toronto center fielder Kevin Pillar doubled to lead off the stanza and scored on an RBI groundout by left fielder Ben Revere. 

The Blue Jays added to their tally in the ensuing inning, with right fielder Jose Bautista and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion reaching on an error by Boston third baseman Brock Holt to begin the rally. Smoak then laced a two-RBI double to deep center, breaking the game open. Two batters later, Goins knocked an RBI triple to deep right, increasing the Toronto lead to a commanding 4-0. 

An RBI infield hit by Rutledge plated Boston's first run in the top of the fifth, however, Stroman was untouchable after that, facing just six batters over his final two innings of work. 

The Blue Jays were able to push their advantage to 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning against Porcello, as Smoak, catcher Russell Martin, and Goins loaded the bases with none out after hitting consecutive singles. After a forceout at home to record the first out, a wild pitch by Porcello brought home Martin. 

Second baseman Cliff Pennington then knocked an RBI sacrifice fly to left, scoring Goins. 

With the victory and the Yankees' 5-1 defeat at the hands of the New York Mets, Toronto's lead for first place in the AL East grew to 4.5 games. The 85-62 Blue Jays will trot knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (10-11, 4.08 ERA) to the mound to face the Red Sox' Wade Miley (11-10, 4.41 ERA) Saturday afternoon at 4:07 PM EST.