Top of the order sets the tone for Red Sox

TORONTO -- The Red Sox swung their way to a series victory over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Thursday night, registering a season-high 19 hits while scoring eight runs in the first inning en route to a 12-6 win.

Mookie Betts, Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts -- the top three batters in the order -- accounted for 11 hits to pace the Boston offense. Alejandro De Aza also delivered a three-hit night as the Red Sox scored double-digit runs for the third time this season.

"What Mookie, Brock and [Bogaerts] were able to do tonight certainly set the tone for us offensively," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

The Boston bats exploded in the first for eight runs on nine hits, with six of those hits and seven of those runs coming against Blue Jays starter Matt Boyd. That included back-to-back homers from David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez. It was Ramirez's first dinger -- 16th of the season -- since he returned to the lineup after missing a week with a hand injury. Ortiz, meanwhile, knocked his 39th career homer at Rogers Centre, padding his lead in the all-time total at the stadium. He also has more homers (58) against the Blue Jays than any other player in Major League history, surpassing Alex Rodriguez with his first-inning shot.

"It was good to see David put a good swing on a left-handed pitcher for a home run," Farrell said. "We're seeing a lot of hard contact from David nightly."

Video: BOS@TOR: Ortiz and Ramirez crush back-to-back homers

The booming Boston bats capped off a 10-game stretch vs. American League East rivals, which Boston finished 6-4, and 5-2 in the last seven, a pivotal result for a last-place team looking to stay in the division race.

Red Sox starter Wade Miley said he was relieved to have his offense back him up on a night that he called "a grind" on the mound, sending the team home after a productive road stint.

"It's huge," Miley said. "Momentum swing right there."