When Boston Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill (W, 1-0) found himself working out with his former Babe Ruth baseball team while awaiting a call from an MLB franchise this past spring, it's doubtful that he expected to become an ace of sorts down the stretch for his hometown franchise. 

The Milton, Massachusetts native struck out ten Toronto Blue Jays while allowing just three runs on seven hits in seven innings of work Sunday afternoon, leading Boston to a series-clinching 4-3 victory over the AL East leaders, improving their 2015 record against the Blue Jays to 10-9. 

First baseman Travis Shaw went 3-for-4 with two RBIs, shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-5 with two runs, and second baseman Dustin Pedroia chipped in two hits for the Red Sox, who jumped to just six games under .500 with the victory. 

Toronto catcher Dioner Navarro went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run while designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion went 2-for-4 with a run. Starter Mark Buehrle lasted six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits while earning a no-decision. 

With the loss, Toronto's lead in the division was shortened to 3.0 games over the second-place New York Yankees. 

The Blue Jays garnered an early 3-0 lead in the second inning against Hill, as Encarnacion lead off with a single to left which proceeded a one-out two-run home run by Navarro. Center fielder Kevin Pillar and shortstop Ryan Goins then knocked consecutive singles, leading to a two-out RBI single by left fielder Ben Revere following a strikeout by second baseman Cliff Pennington. 

Boston reached the board in the fourth inning, as an infield hit by Bogaerts proceeded a horrific throwing error by Buehrle on a groundout by Ortiz, allowing Bogaerts to score all the way from first to cut the deficit to 3-1. 

The Red Sox tied up the score in the ensuing stanza, as center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. lead off with a single and advanced to second on a fielder's choice hit into by right fielder Mookie Betts. Following a flyout by Pedroia, Bogaerts singled and Ortiz walked to load the bases. 

Shaw responded to the opportunity by smoking a critical, game-tying two-run single to left center, scoring both Bradley Jr. and Bogaerts. 

With Hill dealing on the mound, the game remained knotted at three until the top of the eighth inning. Facing Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil, Boston third baseman Pablo Sandoval reached on an error to lead off the inning. 

Toronto then instituted reliever Mark Lowe, who promptly yielded a one-out single to Red Sox catcher Sandy Leon which transported Sandoval to third. Bradley Jr. then drove an RBI sacrifice fly to center, bringing home the go-ahead run and handing Boston a 4-3 lead. 

Red Sox reliever Noe Ramirez worked a scoreless eighth inning for his second hold of the season while incumbent closer Robbie Ross Jr. allowed just a single hit in the ninth for his fourth save of 2015, sealing the series win for Boston and a 5-4 record on their completed nine-game road trip.