Newcomer Davis uses his speed to help Red Sox in 3-0 win

TORONTO – John Farrell thought he would try something different by penciling in Rajai Davis in the leadoff spot Tuesday night. On a night when runs were at a premium for both sides, it proved to a winning call.

Davis, obtained from Oakland last week, had two hits, stole two bases and scored two of the three Red Sox runs in a 3-0 victory for Boston over the Toronto Blue Jays.

“That was an exciting ballgame (for Davis),’’ said Farrell. “Once he gets on base, he’s got that kind of skill. He can wreak havoc on the basepaths, he can draw the attention of the opposing pitcher and he’s almost daring you to pick him off.’’

In the sixth, the Jays nearly took Davis up on his offer. With the game scoreless, Davis singled to left, then looked to swipe second against Blue Jays lefthander Brett Anderson. Davis broke for second on the pitcher’s first movement, but Anderson threw over to first immediately and the outfielder seemed to be on his way to running into an out at second as first baseman Justin Smoak took the throw from Anderson and fired to second to try to cut down Davis.

“He’s been in that situation many times,’’ said Farrell. “He’s reading where the infielder (at second) is going. It’s completely legal. He’s able to follow the eyes of the receiving infielder and he ends up taking the ball off the back. He’s trying to go take his spot on the bag and ends up getting in the line of the throw.’’

The ball trickled away, and Davis slid in safely. A few pitches later, he rode home on a double to right by Eduardo Nunez.

It was more of the same in the eighth – minus the close pickoff play.  Once again, Davis singled and broke for second, sliding in safely. He then took a sizeable lead, and when reliever Ryan Tepera threw to second on a pickoff attempt, the errant throw skipped into center. Davis scooted to third, from where he soon scored on a single to right by Andrew Benintendi.

Davis now has at least one hit in all three of the games he’s started with the Red Sox.