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TORONTO – A powerful performance by Wilyer Abreu, whose three-run home run highlighted a four-run inning, propelled the Boston Red Sox to a commanding 10-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Rafael Devers ignited the scoring for Boston (17-14) with a significant 422-foot home run to the upper deck in right field, leading off the third inning. Abreu followed suit, driving in Alex Bregman and Trevor Story with his home run.
Along with Abreu and Devers, Jarren Duran, Bregman, and Kristian Campbell also contributed with solo home runs, establishing an early seven-run cushion for Garrett Crochet (3-2). Duran and Triston Casas added to the score with ground balls that resulted in runs, while Campbell rounded out the scoring with an RBI double in the ninth inning.
Crochet delivered an impressive performance on the mound, striking out six batters over seven innings while allowing only two runs on four hits and three walks. Relievers Luis Guerrero and Brennan Bernardino helped maintain the lead, effectively closing out the game.
In contrast, Toronto (13-16) could only manage a two-run homer from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the third inning, falling short offensively. The team’s struggles at the plate were evident, as they have been challenged to generate runs consistently this season.
Key Insights
Gold Glove center fielder Daulton Varsho made his much-anticipated season debut for the Blue Jays, returning from shoulder surgery he underwent in September. However, the pitching lineup faced difficulties; Bowden Francis (2-4) was hit hard, surrendering seven runs on eight hits in just three innings. Relief pitchers Dillon Tate, Mason Fluharty, and Casey Lawrence could not contain the Red Sox’s offensive onslaught, with Lawrence allowing three additional runs.
Takeaways:
For the Red Sox, Duran’s home run came on the third pitch of the game—a 94 mph fastball from Francis—and Boston’s hitters subsequently pounded out a total of five home runs against the starter. This early onslaught provided Crochet everything he needed to secure the win, as he entered the match with an impressive 1.95 earned-run average.
The struggles for the Blue Jays are significant; they began the game tied for the fourth-fewest runs scored in the league, with only 95 runs this season. Only Guerrero, Bo Bichette, and Ernie Clement managed to record hits during this matchup.
In a memorable moment, Varsho tripped while pursuing Duran’s fly ball in the fourth inning but managed to catch the ball with his back to home plate, showing remarkable skill despite the fall.
Key Statistic:
Toronto has now gone 11 consecutive games scoring fewer than four runs, and their 17 home runs this season rank second-lowest in Major League Baseball, just ahead of the Kansas City Royals at 13.
Looking Ahead:
Blue Jays manager John Schneider announced that Wednesday’s matchup would operate as a “bullpen day,” featuring an undetermined reliever taking on the role of opener. Lucas Giolito (0-0) is set to make his debut for the Red Sox.
Source
globalnews.ca