TORONTO -- Brian Johnson admitted there were days he thought he would never see a second career major league start.

The Boston Red Sox left-hander made his big league debut in July 2015, but an ulnar nerve irritation in his left forearm forced him to step away from the game to rehab the injury.

On Tuesday, Johnson (1-0) pitched five innings in his second career start, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while striking out six as the Red Sox hung on for an 8-7 win over the Blue Jays.

It marked the first career victory for the 26-year-old native of Lakeland, Fla. He was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket before the game.

"It's awesome, it's everything I dreamed it would be," Johnson said. "I think I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a little thought that I might not (make it back) just from everything that happened.

"After spring training, after my exit meeting with (Boston manager) John (Farrell) and (pitching coach) Carl Willis, I just knew this year was going to be a big year for me, and I just knew I'd be back."

Andrew Benintendi's two-out double in the eighth provided Boston with the winning run as the Red Sox extended their win streak to four games. Boston (9-5) has won five of its past six.

Ezequiel Carrera's pinch-hit, two-run home run in the ninth off reliever Matt Barnes pulled the Blue Jays to within one, but that was as close as Toronto would get.

"There are some good signs there," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "That doesn't win you anything, but it'll happen."

Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman (1-2) went 4 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on 11 hits. Toronto (2-11) has dropped back-to-back games after snapping a seven-game losing streak on Saturday.

"Some balls found holes early and then they capitalized on some bad pitches later on," Stroman said. "It's baseball, I'm not really worried about it to be honest. I'll bounce back next start."

Johnson got into a jam in the second. After issuing a one-out walk to Devon Travis, Kevin Pillar doubled. Following an intentional walk to Jose Bautista to load the bases, Johnson got Kendrys Morales swinging and Troy Tulowitzki to pop up to end the threat.

"He was able to get enough outs to get us through five innings and no bigger were the two that he got in the bottom of the second inning with the bases-loaded situation," Farrell said. "While there were a number of base runners, he was able to keep his composure and make a couple of pitches."

Morales' RBI single in the first gave the Blue Jays an early 1-0 lead. Two batters later, Justin Smoak's RBI double doubled Toronto's lead.

Boston responded with a three spot in the third to take a 3-2 lead.

Mookie Betts' RBI doubled got Boston on the board. Two batters later, Mitch Moreland delivered a two-RBI single, giving Boston its first lead of the evening. Moreland went 3-for-5 with three RBIs.

Smoak tied it 3-3, taking Johnson's first-pitch fastball over the left field wall for his second home run of the season to lead off the bottom half of the third.

Hanley Ramirez and Moreland each had RBI doubles in the fifth, and Pablo Sandoval tacked on an RBI single as part of a three-run fifth inning for Boston.

With Toronto trailing 6-3 in the fifth, Russell Martin hit a solo home run to left -- his first of the season.

Betts gave the Red Sox a 7-4 lead in the seventh, belting Joe Smith's 1-0 pitch into the second deck for his first home run of the season. The Red Sox right fielder finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs.

Toronto added three runs in the ninth on an RBI single from Steve Pearce and Carrera's blast.

NOTES: Blue Jays RHP Aaron Sanchez underwent a procedure on his right middle finger in Kansas City on Monday to remove a portion of his nail. ... Red Sox CF Jackie Bradley Jr. began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket on Tuesday. Bradley is expected back in the lineup when Boston begins a three-game series in Baltimore on Friday. ... Toronto LHP J.A. Happ (left elbow inflammation) was placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 17. RHP Danny Barnes was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. The Jays also optioned LHP Matt Dermody to Buffalo and called up 3B Ty Kelly. ... To make room on the roster for LHP Brian Johnson, the Red Sox optioned RHP Ben Taylor to Pawtucket.