After a record win in the opener, the Toronto Blue Jays are hoping they have saved some for the second game of their three-game streak against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.
The Blue Jays had 28 runs and 29 hits, both club records, as they defeated the Red Sox 28-5 on Friday night. The runs were also the Red Sox’s most-allowed in club history.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had six goals to equal the club record for a game by Frank Catalanotto in 2004. Gurriel also had five RBIs. Gurriel’s sixth hit came against Red Sox infielder Yolmer Sanchez, who served ninth and allowed a run.
Raimel Tapia had six RBIs, including a grand slam in the park in the third inning that came when center fielder Jarren Duran lost sight of the fly ball.
“He couldn’t see the ball; There’s nothing you can do about it,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
“It’s the most helpless feeling you can feel,” Duran said. “Let me know until you guys catch a ball at dusk.”
Duran didn’t chase the ball after it fell behind him because left fielder Alex Verdugo was already there. “I just didn’t want to get in his way,” he said.
Danny Jansen also had six RBIs with two home runs and a single for Toronto.
The Blue Jays hit 11 runs in the fifth inning, all after two were out. The inning was lengthened when Matt Chapman’s pop-up fell between a group of Red Sox players in front of home plate. It was about an RBI hit.
“Very hard,” Cora said. “We didn’t serve well; We didn’t play a good defense. We have to make adjustments.”
The Blue Jays start Saturday with right-hander Alek Manoah (10-4, 2.28 ERA). He is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts against Boston this season. After four career starts against the Red Sox, he is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.
Boston will start right-hander Kutter Crawford (2-2, 4.50 ERA), who has never faced the Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays are 5-1 under interim manager John Schneider, who replaced Charlie Montoyo. Boston has lost seven of its last eight.
The series marks the resumption of play after the All-Star hiatus.
“That was awesome,” said Schneider about the big win. “Before the game we talked about how you can come out a little bit sleepy or how we can come out hot. We came out hot.”
The Blue Jays feel they can play better this season than they have so far.
“I think we just got a glimpse of how good we can be and I’m sure that’s disappointing for a lot of people,” said Jordan Romano, the Blue Jays’ sewer.
“The ups and downs, the inconsistencies, including me. We know we can be better. I think if we come out straight in the second half then we know where we are and what we need to do and everyone feels that,” said Romano.
Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski returned to the team on Friday following the death of his daughter Julia earlier this month.
Toronto midfielder George Springer (elbow) did not start Friday.
Boston’s designated hitter JD Martinez (back) was a late scratch on Friday
Boston put left-hander Chris Sale on the injured list with a fracture of his left fifth finger, recalled right-hander Brayan Bello from Triple-A Worcester, selected catcher Connor Wong to Worcester, and selected Sanchez from Worcester.