 deep over the right-field wall for his eighth homer of the season, an opposite-field, two-run shot that also drove in Brock Holt.Betts now has six home runs and seven RBIs in his last seven games, and has reached base in each of his last 19 games against the Blue Jays.Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez (3-0) gave up three runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings - his longest outing of the season. Boston has won all of his four starts this season.One night after giving up a walk-off home run to Curtis Granderson, closer Craig Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his sixth save of the season.Aaron Sanchez lasted six innings for the Blue Jays, giving up just three hits and two runs, while striking out eight.Yangervis Solarte hit his sixth home run of the season into the second deck of left field in the sixth inning to give Toronto its only lead of the game at 3-2.After falling behind in the first on Betts' first homer, the Blue Jays took advantage of a fielding error to tie the score as Rafael Devers's errant throw to first baseman Hanley Ramirez allowed Steve Pearce to scurry home from second.The Red Sox jumped back in front in the fifth inning. After Sanchez walked the first batter and hit the second, Holt then struck a drive to left field, scoring Jackie Bradley Jr.After Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled and stole second in the bottom half, Pearce dropped a hit into shallow left field, allowing the rookie to score and tie it 2-2.Solarte then crushed the first pitch he saw from Rodriguez into the second deck in left field one inning later.TRAINER'S ROOMRed Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts might be in the Boston lineup Friday, but lost his chance for another rehab appearance with Triple-A Pawtucket's game rained out on Wednesday and the team off Thursday. Manager Alex Cora said Bogaerts would visit the doctor before making a determination on his availability. He has been out since fracturing his ankle on April 8.Blue Jays: 3B Josh Donaldson should be ready to begin a rehab assignment later this week, according to manager John Gibbons. The former AL MVP has been out since April 10 with right shoulder inflammation. ... SS Troy Tulowitzki has been cleared to begin light baseball activities, according to a team spokesperson. Tulowitzki, currently on the 60-day DL after having bone spurs removed from both feet during spring training, will be monitored and re-evaluated after four weeks.UP NEXTRed Sox: LHP Chris Sale (1-1, 1.86) takes the mound for the series finale looking to improve on his 4-1 record with a 0.96 ERA in seven appearances in Toronto.Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (2-1, 5.32) is looking for his first win against the Red Sox since June 5, 2016, after going 0-1 against them in four starts last season.)
Jays aim to build on 'meaningful' win vs. Red Sox 1h ago• 2 min read TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays won the first of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night on a 10th-inning homer by Curtis Granderson.The win had significance beyond defeating an American League East rival. The city of Toronto has been reeling since a van attack killed 10 people and injured 14 others Monday afternoon. A man has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder."I think the city is hurting right now," said Blue Jays starter J. A. Happ, who struck out a season-best 10 and allowed one run over seven innings in a no-decision on Tuesday. "We had some first responders (honored in a pregame ceremony) here today. I hope they enjoyed the game. It was a meaningful win for us on several levels." The win ended a seven-game losing streak against the Red Sox at the Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays. The second game will be played Wednesday night with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.45 ERA) starting for Boston against Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 3.86 ERA)."I think we remember that they played well against us, so I think it's nice to set the tone and get that first one," Happ said. "It's going to be battle all year long." Granderson had three hits on the game. The homer against Boston closer Craig Kimbrel was his third of the season, and his fourth career walk-off blast.He has eight RBIs in his past five games.Granderson also threw out Eduardo Nunez, who was trying to score the go-ahead run from second on Brock Holt's game-tying single to left in the top of the ninth.The Blue Jays outfielder said the positioning from Blue Jays first-base coach Tim Leiper, who also sets defensive alignments, helped give him a chance to make a successful throw."You have to challenge Granderson," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "You've been challenging Granderson for more than five years. He made a perfect throw and threw him out. ... We put ourselves in a position to win the game. It just didn't happen." Granderson, who had been moved from right field to left field in the ninth, repeated what he had heard someone say from the Canadian capital of Ottawa after the tragedy."Somebody in Ottawa said continue to keep going, don't live in fear and don't stop things because of this incident," Granderson said. "So, having a lot of fans come out and continue to support and knowing we have a big game against the Red Sox, it was a big thing for the city and the country." The Blue Jays (14-8) ended a two-game losing skid with the victory on Tuesday, while the Red Sox (17-5) have lost three in a row for the first time this season. They had won 17 of their first 20 games this season.Holt was 3-for-4 for the Red Sox and he will take a seven-game hitting streak into the second game on Wednesday. Holt is batting 12-for-29 (.414) with four doubles, one homer and five RBIs during that span.Sanchez will be making his fourth start of the season. He is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA against the Red Sox in 15 games, including seven starts.Rodriguez has won each of his past two starts. He is 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Blue Jays.
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