Blue Jays blank Red Sox in rout

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Marcus Stroman was the star of the show, allowing just one hit in seven innings to help the Blue Jays to a shutout victory in the four-game series at Rogers Centre.

The victory - Toronto's third in succession helping them to improve to 54-49 this season - kept the pressure on the American League East Division-leading Baltimore Orioles.

Baltimore (56-45) blanked the Seattle Mariners for a 4-0 win, consolidating their three-game leading in the AL East.

The New York Yankees (53-48) are also three games adrift after downing AL West strugglers the Texas Rangers 4-2.

In other results on Thursday, the AL West-leading Oakland Athletics embarrassed the Houston Astros 13-1.

Jeff Samardzija allowed four hits, while Brandon Moss had his third gram slam of the season in Oakland's resounding win on home soil.

The San Diego Padres were also big winners, routing the Chicago Cubs 13-3.

San Diego were led by Tyson Ross, who had a career-high 11 strike outs.

Elsewhere, the Miami Marlins edged the Atlanta Braves 3-2 in their National League East clash.

The Milwaukee Brewers easily accounted for the New York Mets, emerging 9-1 victors.

Adam Eaton had three hits as the Chicago White Sox prevailed 5-2 over the Minnesota Twins.

The San Francisco Giants were beaten 2-1 by the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Kansas City Royals needed a 14th inning to dispose of the Cleveland Indians 2-1.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Tigers overturned a two-run deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Angels 6-4.

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