Toronto ? From the windup, Daisuke Matsuzaka has been fine. It’s when he pitched from the stretch that there were problems.

Matsuzaka worked in-between starts to fine-tune his delivery, and the results showed. He won his third straight decision, and the Boston Red Sox beat Toronto, 9-3, Wednesday, sending the Blue Jays to their eighth loss in a row.

Matsuzaka (4-2), who allowed a season-high seven runs in his last start, was much more effective against Toronto. He struck out eight in seven innings, allowing just one run and five hits.

“When I had struggled, the coaches and I talked about some of the difficulties with rhythm and timing and in my bullpen session and long toss this week. I definitely worked on those two elements,” Matsuzaka said through a translator.

“Once I got up on the mound today, I was not over-conscious about timing, but having gone through those in practice, I was able to move things in a more positive direction.”

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Matsuzaka looked more comfortable than in his last outing.

“He wasn’t forcing the issue, he was trusting his ability and his command,” he said. “He worked hard this week, and it paid off.”

“He threw everything for strikes and he located very well,” he said. “He threw up, he threw down. He executed all his pitches very, very well. It was exciting to watch.”

Catcher Jason Varitek said Matsuzaka kept the Blue Jays off-balance by working to both sides of the plate.

Manny Ramirez hit his 476th career home run, and David Ortiz homered and tied a career high with four hits. Mike Lowell and Julio Lugo also connected.

Orioles 1, Devil Rays 0, 10 innings

Baltimore – Aubrey Huff homered with one out in the 10th inning against his former team, giving the Orioles a victory over the Devil Rays. After James Shields pitched nine brilliant innings for Tampa Bay, Brian Stokes (1-4) faced only two batters before giving up the game’s lone run.

Yankees 6, Rangers 2

New York – Derek Jeter drove in three runs, Mike Mussina pitched three-hit ball for six innings, and the Yankees extended their domination of the Rangers.

Bobby Abreu and Hideki Matsui each hit an RBI double in a four-run first off Robinson Tejeda (3-3).

Mariners 9, Tigers 2

Detroit – Jose Guillen hit a three-run homer, Cha Seung Baek pitched a six-hitter, and Seattle snapped Detroit’s eight-game winning streak. Raul Ibanez had three hits, two RBIs and scored two runs for Seattle.

Angels 3, Indians 2

Anaheim, Calif. – Kendry Morales hit a two-run homer, Gary Matthews Jr. added a solo shot, and Los Angeles rallied past Cleveland to snap a three-game losing streak. Dustin Moseley (3-0) allowed one hit in two innings of relief. Francisco Rodriguez pitched the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.

White Sox 6, Twins 3

Minneapolis – John Danks gained his first major-league victory, and Chicago beat Minnesota. Danks (1-4) didn’t give up a hit until the fifth and a run until the seventh – the only one he allowed in 62â3 innings.