Tuesday’s series opener between the Red Sox and Blue Jays was a low scoring affair, as anticipated with both ace’s of each club on the mound.
Eduardo Rodriguez went six innings for the Red Sox, holding the Blue Jays to just two runs off of three hits while striking out five, and walking one in his return to Fenway.
“I feel really good with everything, all my pitches,” Rodriguez said after his outing. “I feel like my body is right where it needs to be.”
The Red Sox had him start the seventh inning, but wasn’t able to record an out after allowing a run. He was replaced by Matt Andriese, who would pitch a scoreless frame.
Ottavino would set Barnes up for the save, as Ottavino would pitch a scoreless eighth inning, while Barnes would pitch a scoreless 9th for the save.
Offensively, a four run fourth inning would be all that would be needed as the Red Sox piled on four runs. Three of which came from a Xander Bogaerts long ball, as the shortstop’s first home run of the season was belted into the monster seats for three runs.
Bogaerts said afterwards Cora ‘predicted’ the inning.
“It’s definitely good to get the first one out of the way,” Bogaerts said. “I wasn’t trying to get anything. I think that whole inning, Alex Cora predicted, to be honest with you. I remember him saying, (Arroyo) is going to get a hit, J.D.’s going to get a hit and I’m going to hit a three-run homer.”
“He kind of predicted that whole inning, to be honest,” Bogaerts said. “You guys have to see what’s up with A.C. and those predictions with his mind and stuff like that. I was like, ‘You’re talking about me hitting a home run? I don’t have a home run at all.’”
Christian Arroyo quietly mounted three hits, as he went 3-for-4 in the two spot of the batting lineup.
The Red Sox remain in first place of the AL East, at 12-6 on the season after Tuesday night’s win.
“I’m going to repeat myself. We have a good baseball team,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Very balanced. We made some good plays defensively today. We put together good at-bats. Seems like we just finish games right from the first pitch all the way to the end.”
Wednesday night will be the finale for this two game split, as the Red Sox will invite the red hot Mariners to town for four games to wrap up their ten game home stand.