BOSTON – Its only May. May means its still early in the big league baseball season. Teams still have more than 100 games to play. Nothing will be sorted out in the next few weeks, let alone the next couple of days. Still, there are benchmark series and often times those come when a club squares off against a divisional rival. In this case, its the Blue Jays trying to emerge from the drudgery and disappointment of 2013 taking on last years surprising world champions, the Boston Red Sox, in their old, fabled barn called Fenway Park. Toronto opened the three-game series with a 7-4 victory, a win built on slugging offence and just enough pitching to keep a big early lead from evaporating. Closer Casey Janssen picked up his fourth save but not without bringing up David Ortiz as the tying run with two on and nobody out in the ninth inning. Not without Ortiz smacking a 2-1 pitch to Providence, Rhode Island, which landed foul and gave Janssen another life and a 2-2 count. He struck out Ortiz on the next pitch. "They won the World Series last year and if we want to be for real weve got to beat these teams," said Janssen. "Were not scared of them or anything like that. We respect them but we want to beat them. The distance we can separate ourselves from them and any other team in our division is important for us, May or September or whenever it is." The Blue Jays won for the 10th time in 15 games. Boston lost its fourth in a row and sixth in its last seven. The win improved Toronto to 24-22. The loss dropped the Red Sox to 20-24. Starter J.A. Happ eked out five innings for the win. It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance, with Happ dominant through the first three innings on the strength of six strikeouts. He started to show signs of coming apart in the fourth, walking two and allowing an infield single to load the bases with one out. Only a Brett Lawrie diving snag of a Xander Bogaerts line drive and the doubling off of Mike Napoli at third saved Happ serious trouble and preserved what was, at the time, a 3-0 Blue Jays lead. Happ was gone two hitters into the sixth after allowing two runs on three doubles in the fifth and a two-run home run to Jonny Gomes an inning later. "I think you look around and you guys get the idea that its pretty casual in here," said J.A. Happ. "But when its time to play I think everybody gets themselves ready and were ready to play. Were ready to play and so I think its always good to try to jump out and get that first one in the series and well see what we can do the rest of the games here." Manager John Gibbons navigated his way through his bullpen, using five relievers to get the final 12 outs. With Drew Hutchison and Mark Buehrle scheduled to pitch on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, taking the first game gives Toronto a strong shot to win the series. "I dont know if its bigger than any … but you need to play good," said Gibbons. "Anytime youre playing your division youve got to play good but weve been playing pretty good baseball recently. I mean, were not even June yet but you want to keep moving forward, not go backwards. So whatever that means." Toronto had 10 hits on the night, eight of which went for extra bases and four of those were home runs. Edwin Encarnacion had his third multi-home run game of the year and has 10 on the season. Erik Kratz and Melky Cabrera also went deep. Cabreras home run, off of Pesky Pole in right field, was one of his four hits on the night, bringing his major league-leading total to 62. Saturdays start Its down to Todd Redmond and Liam Hendriks for Saturdays start against Oakland, which is the first time the Blue Jays will require a fifth starter since Dustin McGowan was removed from the rotation. Manager John Gibbons expects to make a formal announcement as early as Wednesday. Marcus Stroman factors into this equation, eventually. "Were going to build him back up," said Gibbons. "Well see, couple turns, how were doing." Stroman took the loss in Buffalos 3-2 defeat at the hands of Lehigh Valley on Tuesday night. He pitched five innings, the runs were earned, and he threw 64 pitches. Hell need to get back toward the 85-90 pitch range before being considered for the job. Hendriks, 25, is 5-0 with a 1.48 ERA for the Bisons this season. Hes a strike thrower but that didnt translate into success over parts of three big league seasons with the Twins. In 30 career appearances, 28 starts, Hendriks is 2-13 with a 6.06 ERA and 5.31 FIP. Hes allowed 202 hits in 156 innings pitched. Rasmus has MRI Colby Rasmus underwent a precautionary MRI on his ailing right hamstring. Manager John Gibbons confirmed after Tuesdays game Rasmus has a mild strain, adding Rasmus is "progressing" with his rehabilitation. Rasmus, third on the club with nine home runs, isnt eligible to return from the disabled list until May 28. Rasmussen gets the call Left-handed reliever Rob Rasmussen was recalled on Tuesday afternoon, taking the roster spot of Marcus Stroman, who was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after Sundays loss in Texas. Before the game, he offered his thoughts on making his major league debut at Fenway Park against Red Sox legend David Ortiz, a distinct possibility in a lefty-lefty matchup. "It would be an absolute dream to be able to come out in your first outing and face such an unbelievably renowned hitter such as David Ortiz," said Rasmussen. "Obviously its something you start to think about but once the game starts its back to playing the game like you always have." Then, it happened. Rasmussen was called on with one out and nobody on in the Boston seventh. Toronto led 7-4 at the time. "I was fortunate enough that I got the call down, knew I was going to face just Ortiz and so I was kind of able to prepare properly for him," said Rasmussen. "You know, work on what I was going to try to throw him through the at-bat. Once you run in, its just back to playing baseball." The Blue Jays are the third organization for the 25-year-old native of Pasadena, California. He was acquired in the offseason from the Phillies, along with catcher Erik Kratz, for reliever Brad Lincoln. A four-pitch reliever featuring a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup, Rasmussen uses his entire repertoire in the bullpen and feels it allows him to match up well against both right-handers and left-handers. "My curveball tends to be more 12-6, so its not necessarily just a left-handed pitch," said Rasmussen. "Couple that with my changeup and I feel I can handle both righties and lefties." In 13 appearances and 17 innings with the Bisons, Rasmussen has a 2.65 ERA and a 1.294 WHIP. Ballplayers can never be sure when the opportunity will come. Rasmussens may be because both Chad Jenkins and Neil Wagner are still within the 10-day window of their most recent options to the minor leagues. Regardless, hes here and he plans to make the most of it. "Obviously excitement, obviously theres a little bit of nerves," said Rasmussen. "Not as much from a baseball standpoint, just getting used to the life, checking into the hotel, what to do in the hotel, what to wear, all that stuff. Mostly excitement. Its been hard to kind of put my feelings into words, other than excitement and joy." Red Sox re-sign Stephen Drew Shortstop Stephen Drew is back in the Boston fold, agreeing to a one-year, $10-million contract with the Red Sox on Tuesday. The signing comes a day after Boston placed third baseman Will Middlebrooks on the disabled list with a fractured finger. Drew, 31, declined a $14-million qualifying offer from the Red Sox and elected free agency. He didnt find work in the offseason. Word is that Drew will be added to the active roster on Wednesday but because he hasnt faced live pitching since last October, its expected hell need at least a week to get into game shape. With Drew back at shortstop, Xander Bogaerts is expected to shift to third base. Jamie Vardy Jersey . Helwani said that Weidman has been dealing with recurring swelling and pain in his knees related to torn meniscus he suffered as a teenager and the problems came to a head last week when he suffered prolonged swelling and pain in his left knee, resulting in the decision to undergo an arthroscopic scope procedure to clean up the tear in both knees. Danny Welbeck Jersey . Pearce had a career-high four hits and drove in two runs, and Wei-Yin Chen shut down Texas again as the Orioles completed a four-game sweep of the Rangers with a 5-2 victory on Thursday night. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Customized/. Buffalos defensive co-ordinator had his second interview with Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam and CEO Joe Banner on Tuesday night, a person familiar with the Browns plans told The Associated Press. Harry Kane England Jersey . Erik Logan, president of the network, said Friday that the postponement was made after meetings with the St. Louis Rams. Nick Pope Jersey . The Ravens werent about to let it happen again. Carleton picked up its fourth straight national mens basketball title, and 10th in the last 12 years, with a 79-67 victory over its crosstown rival on Sunday.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- While Aaron Rodgers is hurt, another star player looks as if hell soon be returning to the Packers. Linebacker Clay Matthews is working his way toward a potential return to Lambeau Field for Sundays game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The heavy black wrap that virtually encased his right hand in practice offers a big clue as to why hes missed the past four games. "I think so. You know obviously its going to be coachs decision, but you know, Id like to be out there," Matthews said Thursday. "So Im just trying to get ready to help out in any way which I can." Getting Matthews back would help offset the loss of Rodgers, who hurt his left collarbone in Monday nights loss to the Bears. "Its time for other positions to elevate their game and really carry this team ... until he comes back," Matthews said. The four-time Pro Bowler has 45 1/2 sacks in 62 games, including three in his four appearances this season. His return would be a huge boost for an outside linebacker group ravaged by injuries. Matthews was limited in practice Thursday, as were three other outside linebackers: Mike Neal (knee), Andy Mulumba (ankle) and Nick Perry (foot). The latter has missed the past three games. The only healthy outside linebacker is rookie Nate Palmer. First, Matthews has to get used to that "club" on his right hand he wears in practice. From afar, it looks as if he was wearing a large black oven mitt stuffed with foam thats sealed around his wrist. Matthews is not a big fan of it. "It does not feel good." "Ive just got to get used to playing, you know a little more with one hand and obviously being comfortable with throwing it in there," he said. "So Im takiing baby steps in coming back to practice.dddddddddddd" Whether trying to spin past an offensive tackle or levelling an undersized running back trying to throw a block, the hands are important in helping to get leverage. "Obviously you need to have great hands, and you know when you take one away it definitely hinders your game a little bit," he said. "Well take it day-by-day, but its getting better." Coach Mike McCarthy has been watching Matthews comfort level. Practice could help determine whether a different kind of custom-fitting wrap is better for Matthews, given the particular pass-rushing techniques he might use. But a one-armed Matthews might be just as good as any other linebacker. After compiling 11 sacks in the first three games without Matthews, the Packers managed just one in Mondays 27-20 loss to Chicago. Palmer said just the threat of having Matthews out there could help free up other pass-rushers. "I hope hes very effective," McCarthy said. "Hes a dynamic football (player) and it will be great to get him back on the field." Playing the Eagles would also be a family affair for Matthews. His younger brother, linebacker Casey Matthews, was a fourth-round draft pick in 2011 out of Oregon. Notes: McCarthy said the Packers are getting the defence ready for the Eagles up-tempo attack with a no-huddle system. "I thought our guys did a good job for them today. But its a challenge," McCarthy said. ... Rodgers was listed on the practice report as having not participated. The team doesnt have to declare whether players will be out until Friday. ... G T.J. Lang (concussion) did not practice for a second straight day, while DT Ryan Pickett (knee) was limited Thursday. ' ' '