It's a relatively mundane game, with the Red Sox beating the Blue Jays, 4-1, at the Rogers Centre. Tim Wakefield wins his second game of the year, limiting Toronto to one run in seven innings and Jonathan Papelbon fans three in working out of a ninth-inning ham for his third save. Boston's record improves to 8-5.

Strictly routine.

Except that this victory pushes the Red Sox back into first place in the A.L. East.

And they enjoy the rarified atmosphere of first place so much they never leave. Boston hangs onto first place, beginning on this night, for the final 166 days of the regular season.