Blue Jays’ Victory Puts Them in First

TORONTO —  Not since winning the World Series in 1993 have the Blue Jays been in first place this late in the season.

Toronto moved into first place in the AL East as Frank Castillo won his third consecutive start to beat the Boston Red Sox, 5-4, Friday night.

“I know it’s early, but any time you can be in first place it’s always fun,” Castillo said.

Raul Mondesi hit a go-ahead two-run homer for the Blue Jays, and Brad Fullmer and Jose Cruz Jr. also connected.

Toronto, which moved half a game ahead of Boston and a game ahead of the New York Yankees, overcame a two-run deficit to extend its winning streak to three.

Castillo (4-5) gave up four runs and six hits in 7 1/3 innings, retiring 15 in a row before consecutive doubles by Darren Lewis and Jeff Frye with one out in the eighth pulled Boston to 5-3.

Pedro Borbon relieved Castillo, and Trot Nixon followed with a grounder to shortstop Alex Gonzalez, who got Frye in a rundown for the second out.

Billy Koch relieved and walked Nomar Garciaparra, before Carl Everett hit an RBI double down the right field line to cut Toronto’s lead to 5-4.

Koch then walked Brian Daubach, loading the bases, and then threw what could have been a wild pitch, but the ball hit off the toe of umpire Dale Scott, keeping Garciaparra from scoring the tying run.

“That was a great kick save,” Koch said.

Jason Varitek popped up to shallow left field.

“Those kind of breaks seem to find a team that’s going well,” Nixon said. “We didn’t have any luck.”

Koch finished for his 16th save.