Clay Buchholz pitched eight strong innings to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 2-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

Buchholz (2-2) turned in his longest outing of the season, allowing one run and seven hits in beating Toronto for the fourth time since July 17, 2009.

The Red Sox scratched out the winning run in the eighth when Jays closer Kevin Gregg walked pinch-hitter Mike Lowell on four pitches with the bases loaded. It was the first walk allowed by Gregg in nine appearances this season.

Ramon Ramirez set down the side in order in the ninth to earn just his second career save and extend Toronto's losing streak to four games.

In contrast to Monday's debacle which featured a combined 25 runs and 34 hits, pitching was the story Tuesday.

Shaun Marcum went seven strong innings for Toronto, allowing one run on four hits. He struck out five and walked three while throwing 103 pitches.

Scott Downs (0-3), who loaded the bases in the eighth before giving way to Gregg, took the loss.