BOSTON -- Jarrod Saltalamacchia gave the Boston Red Sox a little momentum, and that was all it took to topple the Toronto Blue Jays. The slugger hit a tying solo homer with two out in the seventh inning and the Red Sox rallied to beat the Blue Jays 5-1 on Tuesday night. Saltalamacchias line drive to left off reliever Jason Frasor just cleared the Green Monster for his 14th homer, tying it at 1. The Red Sox then loaded the bases on a double, a hit batter and a walk before Dustin Pedroia drove in two with a single up the middle. Saltalamacchia is already closing in on his career high of 16 homers, set two years ago when he shared catching duties with former captain Jason Varitek. "Hes playing a confident brand of baseball because he believes in himself and hes a talented player," manager Bobby Valentine said. "Some things that might have haunted his past just seem to be gone and hes just playing the game of baseball. Looks good doing it." Adrian Gonzalez and Will Middlebrooks each drove in a run in the eighth and Bostons bullpen completed a solid start by Daisuke Matsuzaka, helping the Red Sox win for the eighth time in 10 games. "I feel like any given night, its someone different," said Mike Aviles, who drew a rare walk to load the bases in the seventh for Pedroia. "Every night you never know whos going to be the hero and that makes the game intriguing for us." The rally spoiled a strong performance by Aaron Laffey in his first start in nearly two years. Laffey stepped in for Torontos depleted rotation and pitched six crisp innings, allowing three hits with two walks. Laffey retired 12 straight batters after Aviles leadoff single in the first. "Aaron Laffey pitched a heck of a six innings for us," manager John Farrell said. "He gave us six outstanding innings -- shutout innings. We were up 1-0." But that isnt enough at Fenway Park, where the Red Sox had been struggling earlier but improved to 6-2 on a nine-game homestand that wraps up Wednesday afternoon against the Blue Jays. Andrew Miller (2-0) recorded an out in the seventh to pick up the win. Vicente Padilla pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two and setting up Alfredo Aceves for a 1-2-3 ninth. After Saltalamacchia went deep, pinch-hitter Ryan Kalish doubled to right against Luis Perez (2-2). David Pauley came out of the bullpen and hit Daniel Nava with a pitch. Pauley then walked Aviles and Pedroias hit made it 3-1. "It seems like its been so long since hes been in that opportunity late in the game where he could win the game," Valentine said. "It presented itself and he drove the runs in. That really gives us strength." Matsuzaka went 5 2-3 innings, allowing five hits. He struck out five and walked one. Brett Lawrie led off the game with a double to centre and scored on a two-out single by Edwin Encarnacion, putting Toronto ahead 1-0. Pedroia walked with one out in the sixth and tried to scamper home on David Ortizs double off the Green Monster, but Rajai Davis recovered after misplaying the hop and threw a straight shot to catcher Jeff Mathis in time for the tag. NOTES: The series is tied 1-1 and concludes with an afternoon game Wednesday. Bostons Jon Lester (4-5) is scheduled to face Ricky Romero (8-1). ... The Red Sox announced RHP Clay Buchholz experienced erosion of his esophagus, and the condition caused internal bleeding. The team says he is doing well and is expected to make a complete recovery. ... Laffeys previous start was July 19, 2010. ... Davis led off the second with a single, but Matsuzaka picked him off first. [url=http://www.bruinshockeyproshop.com/Jarome-Iginla-Bruins-Jersey/]http://www.... . During an interview aired Sunday night on WHDH-TV, Valentine said he didnt think Youkilis was "as physically or emotionally into the game." That drew a sharp response from Dustin Pedroia before Mondays 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. [url=http://www.bruinshockeyproshop.com/Cam-Neely-Bruins-Jersey/]http://www.brui... . It was one too many. Beachy allowed just three hits, one a home run to Jesus Flores, and the Atlanta Braves lost to the Washington Nationals 2-0 on Saturday. [url=http://www.bruinshockeyproshop.com/Carl-Soderberg-Bruins-Jersey/]http://www... . According to a report in the Hamilton Spectator, Plesius will return to Laval to play his senior season with the Rouge et Or. Plesius attended rookie camp with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tryout basis in mid-May, but wasnt signed to a contract. [url=http://www.bruinshockeyproshop.com/Brad-Marchand-Bruins-Jersey/]http://www.... . The release brings to an end Nowackis eight-year run with the Eskimos, the only team the Murray State product ever played for. [url=http://www.bruinshockeyproshop.com/Ray-Bourque-Bruins-Jersey/]http://www.br... . So did manager Terry Collins. The Mets were roughing up on one of their fiercest rivals and a boisterous crowd at Citi Field was enjoying every minute. CALGARY -- Drew Tate included music in his preparation to lead the Stampeder offence this season. "I learned how to play the piano this off-season," the quarterback declared. "I sure did. I always wanted to learn to play the piano. "I figure if my brain can pick that up then itll just translate into what I do, football. It does strengthen your hands and wrists and stuff like that. Piano lessons were for Sundays. From Monday to Saturday, Tate strengthened his legs, back, shoulders and core muscles to brace for the pounding a starting quarterback in the Canadian Football League takes over 18 regular-season games plus playoffs. The Stampeders are giving the ball to the 27-year-old from Baytown, Texas, when main camp starts Sunday after seven seasons of Henry Burris behind centre. Burris was traded to Hamilton and Tate signed a contract extension in January. For the first time since he joined the Stampeder organization in 2009, theres no one ahead of Tate on the depth chart. "I think my biggest challenge is going to be staying healthy and just continually produce, dont get lose in my reads, dont turn the ball over and just being consistent," Tate says. "Im really not worried about the season right now. Im worried about my performance in camp because thats important. Its about getting comfortable with the receivers and having people comfortable with me, with a new quarterback coming in." Tate may seem understated compared to Burriss big personality, wide grin and hearty laugh. Tates confidence is more California surfer than New York showman. "I am a different quarterback than Hank," Tate concedes. "Hank was an explosive player. He had such a big arm that he was able to hold onto the ball a little longer and could throw it 60 or 70 yards downfield. "My whole thing, when I get on the field, is like Im a doctor going into the emergency. Im just trying to bam, bam, bam, just snip, clip and eventually get there and be precise on what Im doing." The transition to Tate began last season when head coach and general manager John Hufnagel started him in the final four games. Tate wasnt flashy, but he was effective in three wins to end the regular season. He threw for 791 yards and four touchdowns with 65 per cent accuracy. The West Division semifinal in Edmonton was less memorable as he completed just half of 10 passes in the first half. Tate also dropped the ball after a snap with no Eskimo near him, which the hosts turned into a pivotal touchdown en route to victory. Burris couldnt rescue a win in the second half though, which furthered the notion that Tate would be Hufnagels man come 2012. The six-foot, 192-pound Iowa product finished 2011 with 101--of-158 passing (63.dddddddddddd9 per cent), 1,346 passing yards and eight TDs while also throwing five interceptions. When Hufnagel says theres some mystery surrounding the Stampeders heading into training camp, hes referring in large part to Tate. "Hell be on the field for 18 games playing 60 minutes," Hufnagel said. "He has not had to do that and how will his physical and mental aspects handle that type of stress?" Hufnagel acquired 32-year-old veteran Kevin Glenn in the Burris trade as insurance. Once Burris was traded and he re-signed, Tate headed to Geneva, Ohio, to train with Bryan McCall, whom hed worked with two seasons ago. "I felt a big difference between two years ago working with him going into training camp than I did last year not working with him," Tate says. "I figured this was a big year for me personally so I wanted to go wherever he was. I wanted to get stronger, get my body right." Calgarys offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson was once in Tates shoes. When Jeff Garcia left for the NFL, Dickenson took over as Calgarys starter in 1998. "The main thing for Drew is hes not a rookie," Dickenson points out. "Hes been around. He knows he can play the game. There are some differences, though. You can be a little more vocal in the locker-room. "For Drew, I think its important for him just to be himself and understand we have confidence in him. "Its not always going to go well. The tough thing is you think you put all this time and effort in there and its just going to work. It might, but youre going to have some bumps and youve got to keep that confidence high and keep believing and work through those." Tate was Iowas starter three of his four seasons there and the last in 2006. His 56-yard, game-winning touchdown to Warren Holloway as time expired in the 2005 Capital One Bowl against LSU is still a thrilling highlight on YouTube. Those experiences are helpful to a point, but the pro game is different, especially in Canada. "The game down there protects the quarterback a little more than the game up here with the running game, with the protections, with the play actions and such," Tate explains. "Up here, youre passing the ball more, youre going to get hit more. Thats just the way the game is. You either adapt or you get kicked out and look for another job." Should he solidify his position as Calgarys No. 1, Tate intends to add more performing arts into his football repertoire. "Im going to do piano again next off-season and probably dance," Tate says. "I might take ballet. I dont even know yet. Ive got to do something. I want to be as light as I can on my feet." ' ' '