BOSTON (AP) – The Boston Red Sox have become the first major league team to claim a playoff spot this season and have won in the seventh round of Brock Holt, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 7- Tuesday. night.

Guided by rookie manager Alex Cora, the Red Sox improved the best baseball record at 99-46. They secured at least one spot in the AL wild card game by reaching the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Red Sox, leader of the AL, started the night with an eight-game lead over the New York Yankees.

Boston starter Chris Sale has dropped out of the injured list and launched a unmarked run, eliminating two shots and throwing 26 shots. The sale was slowed by inflammation in his left shoulder, and the Red Sox said they were going to put their ace back into action.

Dirty continued to throw in the office after being shot, trying to rebuild his arm strength for the playoffs.

The Red Sox tied a team record by qualifying for the playoffs three years in a row. They also did it between 2003-05 and 2007-09 – with World Series titles in 2004 and 2007 included in each series.

Ryan Brasier (2-0) took the win with 1 to 1-3 innings of flawless relief, while Boston used seven referees after limiting the Sale to his return.

Ryan Tepera (5-5) took the defeat.

Blue Jays rookie Ryan Borucki took the lead 2-0 in seventh before Boston scored four. Steve Pearce hit a triple RBI and Holt connected with two outs.

Kevin Pillar had an RBI single for Toronto in a sixth inning, when Devon Travis scored the first leg of the game on a defensive double-throw game and missed the Red Sox.

Pillar ran his head first into the central ground wall in pursuit of Pearce's triple. Pillar needed a few minutes to get back on his feet, but stayed in the game.

TRAINER ROOM

Blue Jays: RF Randal Grichuk was back in the lineup two days after crashing in the face of a guardian's metal chair. The concussion tests were negative for Grichuk, who had a bleeding nose, a swollen left eye and some cuts in the face.

Red Sox: Sale made his first start since August 12 and launched 26 shots. After a double lead by Gurriel, he eliminated two players, then beat a batter before Grichuck left to finish the round.

FOLLOWING

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (4-5, 5.17 ERA) has won his first win since June 3, scoring three points on six wins last Wednesday in a 10-3 win over Tampa Bay.