Boston Red Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays: Notes and Observations

The Boston Red Sox dropped the final game of a three-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays, losing 3-1 as Roy Halladay (11-3) retired the last 11 batters for his fourth complete game of the season. It was his 44th of his 12-year career. Halladay's season high is nine wins, which he's done twice in 2003 and 2008.

Notes, stats and observations:

• This was the Red Sox first road-series loss since May.

• Jason Varitek played in his 1,400th game for the Red Sox, which ranks him ninth in club history.

• Everyone knows of the David Ortiz shift, but the J.D. Drew shift?

• It worked out for the Toronto Blue Jays as the leadoff man went 0-for-4 with three groundouts into the shift and a pop-out to the catcher in foul ground.

• Speaking of Ortiz, he drove in the Sox only run of the game, which was his 50th of the season. That ranks him third on the team behind Jason Bay (72) and Kevin Youkilis (55). And to think he was in a horrific slump just a few months ago.

• Jon Lester (8-7) had major control issues, as he allowed four walks. However, he gave up only two hits until the sixth inning. The southpaw was up to 72 pitches in the fourth inning with two outs and hit 88 pitches at the beginning of the sixth.

Are you kidding me?

• In the bottom of the sixth inning, Alex Rios stole second base, but was sent back to first because of an interference call. Apparently, the home plate umpire got in the way of Varitek's throw, making it impossible to throw Rios out. It lasted for a batter and he stole second base anyways.

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