Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run home run to back Eduardo Rodríguez in his first start at Fenway Park since 2019, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Rodríguez (3-0), who missed last season due to COVID-19 complications, allowed two runs on three hits over six innings and struck out six for AL East-leading Boston.
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Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run home run to back Eduardo Rodríguez in his first start at Fenway Park since 2019, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Tuesday night.
Rodríguez was pulled after allowing his second homer of the day, a towering leadoff shot by Randal Grichuk leading off the seventh. Bo Bichette also homered for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight.
Rodríguez received a warm greeting from the pandemic-limited Fenway crowd of 4,728. It was a small consolation prize for the left-hander, who missed out on scheduled opening day starts each of the past two seasons.
In the fourth, Bichette jumped on a first-pitch cutter and drove it over the Green Monster to put the Blue Jays in front 1-0.
Blue Jays: Cavan Biggio started in right field after missing two games a hand issue. ... Toronto placed right-hander T.J. Zeuch on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder tendinitis. Infielder Santiago Espinal was recalled from the club’s alternate training site and started at third base.
Cora was delayed getting to the ballpark, saying before the game that he had issues with his COVID-19 test results.
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Boston Red Sox third baseman Christian Arroyo can't handle the throw as Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien steals second base during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez fouls a ball off his foot during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien throws over Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez but can't get a double play on a ball hit by Xander Bogaerts during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Matt Andriese, Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes each worked a scoreless inning in relief. Barnes earned his third save.
As Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen looks on, Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts blows a kiss while crossing the plate after his three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Rodríguez was pulled after allowing his second homer of the day, a towering leadoff shot by Randal Grichuk leading off the seventh. Bo Bichette also homered for the Blue Jays, who have lost three straight.
Toronto ace Hyun Jin Ryu (1-2) lasted five innings, giving up eight hits, four runs and striking out two.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth, the Blue Jays had a runner on third with two outs, but Bichette struck out.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Rodríguez received a warm greeting from the pandemic-limited Fenway crowd of 4,728. It was a small consolation prize for the left-hander, who missed out on scheduled opening day starts each of the past two seasons.
He still appeared to feed off the home fans' energy, hurling a 95 mph fastball to strike out Bichette looking in the first inning.
Rodríguez cruised through his first three innings, allowing only a walk.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
In the fourth, Bichette jumped on a first-pitch cutter and drove it over the Green Monster to put the Blue Jays in front 1-0.
Christian Arroyo and J.D. Martinez singled ahead of Bogaerts' blast to left-center in the bottom of the inning. Marwin Gonzalez doubled later in the fourth and Bobby Dalbec drove him in with a triple.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Hyun Jin Ryu delivers against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Blue Jays: Cavan Biggio started in right field after missing two games a hand issue. ... Toronto placed right-hander T.J. Zeuch on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder tendinitis. Infielder Santiago Espinal was recalled from the club’s alternate training site and started at third base.
Red Sox: Left-hander Chris Sale will report to the team’s spring training facility in Fort Myers, Florida, on Sunday to continue his rehabilitation following Tommy John surgery in March of 2020. “It’s just a matter of time of when he gets on the mound. We’ll go from there,” manager Alex Cora said.
DELAYED ARRIVAL
Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette looks back at the umpire after being called out on strikes during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Cora was delayed getting to the ballpark, saying before the game that he had issues with his COVID-19 test results.
“Some testing didn’t go the way it should have gone,” Cora said, adding that he was tested multiple times.
Cora is scheduled to receive his second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday.
Toronto Blue Jays' Bo Bichette is congratulated by first base coach Mark Budzinski after hitting a solo home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
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Blue Jays: Montoyo hasn’t settled on a starter, but said his options include left-hander Tommy Milone (0-0, 3.24 ERA), left-hander Anthony Kay (0-1, 10.80) or an opener.
Red Sox: Right-hander Garrett Richards (0-1, 6.00) will make his fourth start of the season. He has posted a 1.80 ERA and .179 opponent batting average in his past two starts.
Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts goes for a ride in a shopping cart as he is congratulated by teammates after hitting a three-run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
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Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette bobbles a ground ball hit by Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez for an error during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Boston Red Sox third baseman Christian Arroyo can't handle the throw as Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien steals second base during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez fouls a ball off his foot during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)
Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien throws over Boston Red Sox's J.D. Martinez but can't get a double play on a ball hit by Xander Bogaerts during the fifth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at Fenway Park in Boston. (AP PhotoWinslow Townson)