Mitch Moreland belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to power the Red Sox to a 5-3 walk-off victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.
With the score tied 3-3, Xander Bogaerts drew a two-out walk and Moreland followed with a homer to left-center, his second homer of the game.
The win gave the Sox their first home series win of this season and first since last September.
The homer was just the fourth hit of the day for the Red Sox, who had three homers.
WHO: Red Sox (5-9) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (5-7)
WHEN: 1:35 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
SERIES TO DATE: 1-1
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (1-1, 3.94) vs RHP Matt Shoemaker (0-1, 5.91)
TV/RADIO: NESN PLUS; WEEI 93.7 FM
LINEUPS
RED SOX
Verdugo RF
Devers 3B
Martinez DH
Bogaerts SS
Moreland 1B
Vazquez C
Benintendi LF
Bradley CF
Lin 2B
BLUE JAYS
Biggio 2B
Bichette SS
Shaw 3B
Hernandez RF
Gurriel Jr. LF
Guerrero Jr. 1B
Grichuk CF
Tellez DH
McGuire C
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
4:07 Nothing from the lineup in the last few innings. Red Sox have just one hit over the last five innings and have struck out in each of their last six plate appearances.
3;56 Austin Brice continues to impress. Faced four hitters, retired them all, the last three by strikeout. He's emerged as a nice middle relief option in short order.
3:27 Having tied the game in the bottom of the previous inning, Devers makes a terrific barehand play at third, charging a roller and making an off-balance throw to first to nip Grichuk.
3:22 Devers, who had been slumping badly, connects on a splitter and mashes it into the CF bleachers, tying the game. Just the second homer of the season for Devers.
3:08 Eovaldi has pitched fairly well, but for the second time this afternoon, a mistake up in the zone gets deposited into the bullpen.
2:53 Red Sox offense has again stalled out this afternoon. Since Moreland's solo homer got them on the board in the second inning, they've managed just one hit.
2:31 Red Sox had runners at first-and-second with no out and only get a run out of it. J.D. Martinez hasn't knocked in a run since July 24.
2:26 Two errors in the span of three at-bats for Shoemaker. Errant throw to second should have started a double play. Instead, it'a run in and runners at the corner with no outs.
2:20 Upon review, Tzu-Wei Lin is ruled safe at first. Red Sox have been successful with five of their six challenges this season.
2:13 After falling behind 3-and-1 to Cavan Biggio, Eovldi comes in with a cutter that caught way too much of the plate and Biggio hit into the Red Sox bullpen to tie things up
2:02 Matt Shoemaker leaves a sinker up and Mitch Moreland swats it into the CF bleachers. Moreland's fifth homer of the young season and his third in 11 career at-bats against Shoemaker.
1:53 Alex Verdugo was too aggressive there, charging after a ball that should have been handled by Jackie Bradley Jr. in right center, then overran it for an error, allowing Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to take an extra base,
1:47 Rafael Devers looks overmatched at the plate right now. The fact that he made contact at all with that splitter speaks to his plate coverage.
1:41: Nathan Eovaldi falls behind Travis Shaw 3-and-0, but comes back nicely with a couple of high octane four-seamers to fan Shaw.
PRE-GAME NOTES:
- The Red Sox remain officially undecided on a starter for Monday, but know that it won't be Martin Perez. The Sox could have used Perez on regular rest thanks to the off-day last Thursday, but instead will go with an opener against the Rays. Ron Roenicke didn't announce his full plans for that, but noted that RHP Colten Brewer will factor in somehow -- either as the actual opener or the bulk reliever.
- When asked about some players continually citing the absence of in-game video as a big adjustment for the 2020 season, Roenicke indicated that he has spoken to J.D. Martinez about making sure that doesn't become a crutch. "I think that's the case with some of the guys,'' said Roenicke, "I had a conversation with (Martinez Saturday) about the exact same thing. That's what I was saying: You need to get rid of these outside distractions. And they are a lot. There's more this year and there's ever been. But I know what kind of hitter J,.D> is. I don't think all these frustration should be that impactful on what he does. No question it's a part of it with him because he's so routine-orientated. But I still know that he's a good enough hitter than he still should be performing at a higher level. And he knows it too. But her's not the only one. It's difficult. Don't get me wrong -- this is a really difficult season for these guys and I think they've been doing a great job. The work ethic is there, the effort during games is there. But it's just this mental part that has so much do with their performance and how do we keep this mental part where you're confident and focused in what you're doing instead of these other things.''