All you need to know, in quickie form. about the Red Sox' win over the Blue Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight.
HEADLINES
Offense erupts early: It didn't take long for the Red Sox to get going Wednesday night. The first five hitters reached base and all five eventually came around to score as the Sox staked out a quick 5-0 lead. Included in that eruption were two homers from the first three batters -- a two-run shot by Alex Verdugo and a solo shot from J.D. Martinez. In a small ballpark with gusty winds sometimes carrying the ball, it seemed no lead was safe, but the outburst provided the Sox with a comfortable cushion right from the start and from there, they managed to keep adding on. A leadoff homer by Kike Hernandez -- making it three homers from the night's first 10 plate appearances -- balanced out a run the Jays got back in the bottom of the first. The Sox didn't score again until the eighth when Christian Vazquez went deep to left for the fourth Boston homer of the night. Having fallen behind early in the series opener, the Sox had successfully -- and quickly -- turned the tables on Toronto.
Richards keeps rolling: Red Sox starter Garrett Richards fell one out shy of giving the Sox seven full innings for the third time in his last five starts, but it was hard to complain about his night even if he wasn't always as sharp as he's been in recent outings. Richards issued four walks -- the most he's had since walking six Blue Jays earlier this season, requiring some under-the-hood work with pitching coach Dave Bush -- and also had two wild pitches, but he limited the damage throughout. After a somewhat rocky first that required him to throw 23 pitches, Richards did what you're supposed to do when your teammates supply you with a multi-run lead -- throw strikes, challenge hitters and get your guys back in the dugout. From the second through the sixth, he never had an inning in which he faced more than four hitters, getting some help from three double plays.
TURNING POINT
After the Red Sox put up five runs in the top of the first, the Jays countered with some offense of their own in the bottom of the inning. Marcus Semien drew a walk and when Bo Bichette drilled a double to right center, it appeared as though the Jays were going to have two runners in scoring position with no out and were intent on making this a crazy slugfest. But on Bichette's double, Semien inexplicably made a big turn at third base -- against the wishes of third base coach Luis Rivera -- he gave the Sox an opening. Marwin Gonzalez fired a throw behind the runner, who scampered back to the bag, but not in time. Semien had committed the cardinal sin of making the first out at third base and also stalled Toronto's momentum just when it appeared they were ready to counter-punch with the Sox.
TWO UP
Alex Verdugo: Verdugo was mired in a slump until last week, but has really broken through in his last few games. He clubbed a long homer to right two batters into the game and later added a single.
Kike Hernandez: Hernandez had a single, double and homer while scoring two runs and knocking in another. He has four hits in two games since coming off an IL stint.
ONE DOWN
Marwin Gonzalez: On a night in which nearly everyone contributed offensively, Gonzalez was the only member of the starting lineup to not collect a hit.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Anytime they're going to give you free outs like that, it's huge. That's on them, but we'll gladly take it.'' Garrett Richards on a critical baserunning error by Toronto's Marcus Semien in the first inning.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
* The home run by Christian Vazquez in the eighth inning was his first since April 7, 30 games ago.
* The Sox have hit 30 homers in their last 18 games. the most in the American League in that span.
* The Sox have also hit multiple homers in five of their last six games.
* Bobby Dalbec stroked his fourth double in his last 10 games.
* J.D. Martinez ended a 10-game homerless streak in the first inning.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Blue Jays wrap up their series in Dunedin Thursday night at 7:37 p.m. with RHP Nick Pivetta (5-0, 3.16) vs. LHP Steven Matz (4.29).