Huskey, BoSox Top Of Wild-Card

Once again, Butch Huskey was a big hit.

Huskey starred in his second game for Boston, hitting a grand slam and a solo home run Wednesday night to lead Pat Rapp and the Red Sox over the Toronto Blue Jays 8-0.

"There's no way to do it any better," Huskey said. "I'm just happy I've contributed, and helped this club pull out a couple big wins."

"I'm relaxed, and these guys have made me feel welcome right away, and I think that's a big key for me going out there feeling comfortable," Huskey said. "I don't feel any pressure. I'm just another piece of the puzzle to help this team."

Rapp and Tim Wakefield combined on a two-hitter as the Red Sox improved to 8-1 against the Blue Jays this season. Boston had lost 12 of 18 before sweeping the two-game series and moving ahead of the Blue Jays in the AL wild-card race.

"Butch has come in swinging, he knows what his job his, and he's come out hot the first two games. Hopefully, he'll continue it at Fenway," Rapp said.

Rapp (3-5), making his first start since June 22, gave up two hits in eight innings and retired his final 17 batters. He struck out six and walked one.

"Coming out of the bullpen for the last month I thought I would pitch five innings," Rapp said. "I was surprised that I was able to go eight, but I was throwing strikes with all my pitches. Got myself into a couple three-ball counts, but I battled my way out, that was the strong point for me tonight."

Rapp allowed just an infield single to Shawn Green in the first and a single to Homer Bush in the third. Green extended his hitting streak to 26 games, longest in the AL this year and matching John Olerud for the longest in team history. Green hit a grounder to shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, who bounced his throw to first.

"That was a questionable hit to extend the streak. I guess it was a little hometown favorite thing going on," Rapp said.

Joey Hamilton (3-6) pitched five scoreless innings before loading the bases in the sixth on singles by Darren Lewis and Garciaparra and a walk to Troy O'Leary. Huskey hit an opposite-field drive to right for his second career slam.

"I thought I would go with a fastball away, but I left it over the plate and unfortunately there were guys on base," Hamilton said.

Huskey's homer off John Frascatore started a four-run ninth. John Valentin hit a two-run homer.

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