TORONTO -- All the information you need, in quickie form, from the Red Sox' 5-4 win over Toronto, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOXSCORE
HEADLINES
Sale grinds through: This was not Chris Sale at the top of his game. He allowed solo runs in each of the first three innings, recorded just four strikeouts — his second fewest in a start since joining the Red Sox -- and was done after six innings. But he made an adjustment about halfway through and started utilizing his changeup more. "It was definitely a dogfight from the get-go,'' said Sale. "Giving up a run (in each of) the first three innings is tough. Through and through, it was a grind.'' Sale said he fell into a predictable pattern in the first few innings, but Alex Cora and pitching coach Dana LeVangie suggested mixing in more changeups to keep the Jays off-balance. "That was the difference-maker today, being able to throw that, not only late in the count, but early in the count.''
Holt lost to injury: Infielder Brock Holt, who extended his hitting streak to nine games and was the Red Sox' hottest and most consistent hitter on the road trip, came out of the game in the third inning when he laced a double to right-center, but felt his left hamstring grab between first and second. "We'll see when we get home,'' said Cora. "He's feeling better. We'll see how he feels (Friday) morning. It was tough to see because of how well he was playing.'' With Xander Bogaerts set to be activated from the DL Friday, the Sox could DL Holt as a precaution, and keep Tzu-Wei Lin on the roster rather than optioning him back to Pawtucket -- as was the original plan -- to make room for the return of Bogaerts.
Martinez saves the day: With the Red Sox trailing 3-2 in the fifth, two on and two out, J.D. Martinez drove a high fastball from Marco Estrada on a line Red Sox bullpen in right. "He's got that ability to stay back and hit line drives,'' said Cora. "That's why in spring training, I mentioned Manny (Ramirez as a similar hitter to Martinez); I know they're different. But Manny used to do that -- on any given day, he could stay back and hit a line drive that just carries out of the ballpark.'' Martinez said that he was looking for a pitch from Estrada that he could "get on top of.'' Martinez said he's accustomed to pitchers making pitches up in the strike zone on him, trying to limit his ability to use any loft to his swing.
Just Dingers = Just Taking the Lead ? pic.twitter.com/D5Ba2w1SfB
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 27, 2018
Ty, @kimbrel46. pic.twitter.com/rd7g29wRL5
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 27, 2018
- All five of the Red Sox runs came with two out. The Sox have scored 48 runs with two outs, fifth-most in the A.L. going into Thursday's night.
- The Sox improved to 7-1 in one-run contests.
- After allowing two homers in his first five starts, Sale allowed two in the span of two innings.
- Martinez has five homers in the last 16 games. The last three have all been hit to the opposite field.
- Benintendi's double in the third snapped an 0-for-15 slump.
- Ramirez has reached base safely in 19 of his 21 starts.