Boston snaps the Blue Jays’ five-game winning streak.

TORONTO (AP) – Johnny Damon homered twice and Trot Nixon drove in four runs as the Boston Red Sox held off Toronto 8-7 Thursday night to snap the Blue Jays’ five-game winning streak.

Nixon’s tiebreaking two-run shot in the eighth inning off Cliff Politte (0-1) gave Boston a 6-4 lead. Nixon went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Red Sox, who avoided a three-game sweep thanks to some fine hitting.

Damon had three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored.

He homered off Roy Halladay in the third and gave Boston an 8-4 lead in the ninth with a two-run shot off Trever Miller.

It was Damon’s fifth career two-homer game.

Carlos Delgado hit a two-run homer off Mike Timlin in the ninth to cut it to 8-7.

Delgado has three homers and 13 RBIs in the last four games.

With most other relievers in the Boston bullpen struggling, Timlin (1-0) went the final 2 2-3 innings for the win.

Manny Ramirez was 0-for-5, ending his career-high hitting streak at 22 games.

Halladay struck out 10 in seven innings, becoming the first Toronto pitcher to strike out 10 or more since he fanned 11 on Sept. 19, 2001, against the Baltimore Orioles.

The right-hander gave up four runs – three earned – and seven hits, walking one.

Boston starter John Burkett allowed four runs – three earned – and five hits in 6 1-3 innings. He walked five.

After Shea Hillenbrand doubled with two outs in the eighth, Nixon homered off Politte.

Chris Woodward had two RBIs for the Blue Jays.

Damon singled, advanced to third on a grounder and scored on Nomar Garciaparra’s sacrifice fly in the first. Nixon hit an RBI double in the second.

Woodward had an RBI infield single in the bottom half.

Damon led off the third with his first homer, giving Boston a 3-1 lead.

After Burkett walked Eric Hinske and Orlando Hudson in the fourth, Hinske scored on Garciaparra’s fielding error at shortstop and Ken Huckaby hit an RBI single, tying it at 3.

Nixon’s RBI single in the sixth gave Boston the lead again, but Woodward hit an RBI double in the bottom half.

Notes: The Red Sox hope to play their home opener Friday against Baltimore, but rain is expected in Boston. That could mean a day-night doubleheader Saturday. … Singer-bassist Geddy Lee of the band Rush attended the game.