The Boston Red Sox hit four homeruns, and Garrett Richards pitched a solid 6.2 innings on Wednesday night to help pick up a 7-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida.
Boston (26-18) started off fast with five runs in the top of the first against Toronto starter Ross Stripling. Alex Verdugo hit a two-run homer, JD Martinez a solo shot, Christian Vazquez had an RBI groundout, and Bobby Dalbec an RBI double. Enrique ‘Kike’ Hernandez added a solo homer in the second, and Vazquez did the same in the eighth inning. Richards (4-2) allowed two runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts to get the win. Hernandez had three hits, while Verdugo, Xander Bogaerts, and Rafael Devers had two each. Stripling (0-3) allowed six runs on eight hits in just 3.2 innings. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an RBI double and Marcus Semien a two-run homerun for the Jays scoring. Toronto is now 23-18. The rubber game of the three game series is Thursday night at 7:37. The Red Sox send RHP Nick Pivetta (5-0, 3.16 ERA) to the hill, to be opposed by LHP Steven Matz (5-2, 4.29 ERA) for the Blue Jays.
