Fans dance in the upper deck during the 18th inning of a baseball game between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park in Boston early Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
BOSTON (AP) — The Red Sox won their own version of the Boston marathon, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 in the 19th inning on an RBI single by Hanley Ramirez early Wednesday in a game that took six hours.
It was 1:11 a.m. when Mookie Betts led off with a double and Ramirez followed with a bloop single. The AL East leaders ended a three-game losing streak.
About 700 fans stayed until the end to see Boston win the longest game in the majors since July 2016, when Cleveland beat Toronto 2-1 in 19 innings. The Red Sox forced extra innings by rallying for two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
This was the second-longest game ever at Fenway, which opened in 1912. The Red Sox lost to Seattle 8-7 in 20 innings in 1981 — that game was suspended after 19 innings past 1 a.m. because of an American League curfew rule, and resumed about 18 hours later.
Boston used 12 pitchers against the Blue Jays, tying an American League record set a day earlier by the Los Angeles Angels.
Hector Velazquez (3-1) picked up the win. Chris Rowley (1-2) lost in his fourth inning of relief.
The Red Sox increased their division lead to 3 1/2 games over New York. But the Yankees still made it a rough day for their longtime rival.
On Tuesday, The New York Times reported the Red Sox admitted to Major League Baseball they used an Apple Watch to steal signals from opposing catchers — including the Yankees — and relay them to Boston players. While swiping signs has long been part of the game, using electronic devices to do it is against the rules.
Kendrys Morales hit his 27th homer for Toronto, which took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the ninth. Roberto Osuna entered looking for his 36th save, but ended up blowing a chance for the 10th time.
Osuna walked Andrew Benintendi to start the ninth and Betts doubled. Benintendi scored when Ramirez grounded out, which allowed Betts to take third. Mitch Moreland then hit a sharp grounder to second that scored Betts.
Morales led off the sixth with a homer off Eduardo Rodriguez for a 2-0 lead.
Toronto starter Marco Estrada held Boston to three hits over seven shutout innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: Toronto played its fourth straight game with bench coach DeMarlo Hale managing the club with manager John Gibbons away from the team attending to a personal matter.
Red Sox: Activated RHP Carson Smith (Tommy John surgery) from the 60-day DL. Manager John Farrell said Smith was still a little sore after taking a line drive off his leg during his final rehab start over the weekend, but was cleared to play. Smith pitched a hitless 18th.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: RHP Joe Biagini (3-9, 5.01 ERA) had a career-high 10 strikeouts over seven innings Friday in a no-decision against Baltimore.
Red Sox: RHP Doug Fister (4-7, 4.19) is 0-1 in two starts against Toronto this season.
Boston Red Sox’s Hanley Ramirez is sprayed with water and chased by teammates after driving in the winning run with a single in the 19th inning for a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in a baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, early Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)
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