David Price returned from the injured list and got a victory and all Boston starters had at least one hit, as the Red Sox cruised past the Toronto Blue Jays 12-2 at the Rogers Center in Toronto on a Monday afternoon holiday in Canada.
The Sox started fast out of the gate on Victoria’s Day when Rafael Devers singled in Mitch Moreland in the top of the first to make it 1-0. Devers would later score in the inning to double the lead when Toronto catcher Luke Maile tried to cut down Devers trying to steal second. An errant throw scored Xander Bogaerts from third base.
The Jays tied it when Maile made up for his error with a two run homer to deep left center in the bottom of the second to tie the game. That would be the last time anyone would reach base on Price. Bogaerts hit a two run single in the third to restore a two run lead, and then Michael Chavis would later follow in the inning with his ninth homer of the season a two run blast to make it 6-2. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a two run homer in the sixth to the opposite field in left, his first of the year to increase the lead to 8-2. Devers singled in a run in the seventh, before Steve Pearce followed with a sacrifice fly for an RBI. In the ninth inning the Sox went back to back on two long solo homers by Bogaerts and Devers to finish off the scoring.
Price (2-2) retired the last 10 guys he faced to get the win going 5.0 innings allowing two runs (none earned), three hits, with no walks, and four strikeouts. The lefty was making his first appearance since a no-decision at Chicago back on May 2. The Boston pitching staff didn’t allow a hit in the last 7.1 innings. Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier, and Hector Velasquez all pitched an inning of scoreless and hitless relief. Bogaerts and Devers led the way offensively with three hits and three RBI each. Chavis had two hits and a pair of RBI, and Moreland also had three hits. Toronto had three guys with one hit each for their only offense on the day. Edwin Jackson (0-1) took the loss on the mound allowing five earned runs, seven hits, with one walk, and four strikeouts in 5.0 innings.
Game two of the four game series is Tuesday night at 7:07 p.m., with a pitching matchup of Eduardo Rodriguez for Boston and Marcus Stroman for Toronto.
