BOSTON — David Ortiz hit his 498th career home run, a three-run shot to cap a four-run third inning, and the Boston Red Sox beat AL East-leading Toronto 10-4 on Wednesday night, sending the Blue Jays to just their second series loss since late July.

Mookie Betts had a solo homer and drove in three runs, and Ryan Hanigan had three hits and three RBI for Boston, which posted its ninth win in 13 games by taking 2 of 3 from Toronto.

Red Sox starter Joe Kelly yells after striking out Toronto’s Russ Martin with the bases loaded to end the top of the fourth inning Wednesday night. Kelly got his eighth straight win. The Associated Press

David Ortiz hits his 498th career home run, off Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Drew Hutchison, in the third inning of Wednesday night’s game at Fenway Park. The Associated Press

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WHO: Red Sox (Miley 11-10) at Rays (Archer 12-11)

WHEN: 7:10 p.m. Friday

TV: NESN

Despite the loss, the Blue Jays maintained a 1 1/2- game lead over New York, which lost 5-3 to Baltimore. Toronto heads to Yankee Stadium for a four-game series beginning Thursday night.

The Blue Jays are 28-9 since July 30, going 9-2-1 in 12 series.

Joe Kelly (10-6) won his eighth consecutive start, the longest stretch by a Boston pitcher since Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez won nine straight in 1999.

Ortiz drove a 2-0 fastball from Drew Hutchison (13-4) into the bleachers in center field. It was his 32nd of the season and 59th in his career against the Blue Jays, most by any opponent. He’s looking to become the 27th player all-time with 500 homers.

Kelly gave up one run and six hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Edwin Encarnacion of Toronto had an RBI single and reached base for a club-record 39th straight game, surpassing Carlos Delgado’s 38 in 1998. Chris Colabello hit a three-run homer.

Hutchison was tagged for six runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings for his second straight rough outing. He gave up six runs in five innings in a loss at Baltimore last Friday.

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