TORONTO -- The Boston Red Sox are not contenders for a postseason spot.

But lately they have been playing like one and on Saturday they beat one, using a five-run ninth to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6.

The Red Sox (70-77) have won nine of their last 14 games and in defeating the Blue Jays (85-63) they stopped a three-game winning streak by the American League East leaders.

"In this environment, to step up and get the job done and do what they did, it was a pretty good moment," Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said.

The New York Yankees defeated the New York Mets 5-0 on Saturday to cut the Blue Jays' lead to 3½ games.

After Toronto took a 4-2 lead in the eighth, center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two-run home run with one out in the ninth against right-hander Roberto Osuna (1-5) to tie the game. Third baseman Brock Holt had opened the inning with a double.

Bradley entered the game in a 0-for-19 rut and was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

"It felt good," Bradley said. "It felt like I finally made solid contact. My rhythm has been off a little bit. You've just got to keep swinging it, taking good swings. Anytime we can win against the best right now, that's always a positive."

After second baseman Dustin Pedroia was walked by Osuna, shortstop Xander Bogaerts singled against right-hander Aaron Sanchez and designated hitter David Ortiz singled in the go-ahead run.

A wild pitch scored another run and a single by left fielder Rusney Castillo brought in the fifth run.

"To come up and do what (Bradley) did in the ninth inning, with our backs up against the wall, obviously we know what he's been going through for the past several games, to put that behind him and come up was pretty good," Lovullo said.

"It showed signs of maturity that he can put that behind him."

The Red Sox needed the extra runs as Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista hit a two-run homer, his 36th of the season, in the bottom of the ninth against left-hander Robbie Ross Jr., who picked up his third save.

"I've got to do a better job, I've got to locate my fastball a little better," said Osuna, the Blue Jays closer. "It was one of those bad days, but I have the opportunity get back tomorrow. There are no excuses. It was one of those bad days, that's it."

Blue Jays designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion hit a two-run home run and had three RBIs.

Bogaerts also homered for Boston. Tommy Layne (2-1) recorded two outs for the victory.

Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey, who was making a third attempt for his 100th career win, pitched six-plus innings. The knuckleballer allowed six hits, one walk and two runs. He struck out three and did not factor in the decision.

The veteran pitchers on the team like Dickey supported the 20-year-old Osuna and 23-year-old Sanchez.

"Greg Maddux told me at the World Baseball Classic that the key to being a good pitcher is to have bullet-proof confidence and a short-term memory," Dickey said. "That's my advice.

"They don't need to be reminded. The same situation tomorrow, they will be in there. They have been great and they are going to continue to be great. It was just a hiccup today."

Red Sox left-hander Wade Miley allowed three hits, five walks and two runs in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and did not figure in the decision.

Bogaerts hit the first pitch of the sixth inning to left field for his sixth homer of the season.

The Blue Jays soon took over the lead. Third baseman Josh Donaldson led off the bottom of the sixth with a walk. With one out, Encarnacion smashed his 33rd homer of the season to left to produce a 2-1 lead.

Holt led off the seventh with a ground-rule double to left and Dickey was replaced by right-hander Mark Lowe.

Holt took third on a grounder to second by catcher Blake Swihart and, with the infield drawn in, scored on a double by Bradley off the glove of second baseman Cliff Pennington to tie the game.

Donaldson and Bautista led off the eighth with walks against right-hander Noe Ramirez.

Donaldson slid home safely on a single to left by Encarnacion to give the Blue Jays a 3-2 lead. First baseman Chris Colabello loaded the bases with an infield single to left.

Right-hander Jean Machi replaced Ramirez. With one out, center fielder Kevin Pillar hit an RBI single to right to make the lead two runs.

Layne replaced Machi and induced shortstop Ryan Goins to hit into an inning-ending double play.

NOTES: Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki (cracked left scapula), who visited doctors in Boston, said before the game Saturday that he is feeling better and is "heading in the right direction" but there is no timetable for a return. He was injured in a collision with CF Kevin Pillar at Yankee Stadium last Saturday. ... OF Michael Saunders (left knee bone bruise) rejoined the Blue Jays but will not play. ... 3B Pablo Sandoval (illness) was not in the Boston lineup for the second straight day. He returned to the team hotel with a fever three hours before the game on Friday. ... 2B Dustin Pedroia returned to the Boston lineup Saturday after being rested on Friday. ... LHP Rich Hill (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start for the Red Sox on Sunday in the series finale against Blue Jays LHP Mark Buehrle (14-7, 3.66 ERA)