BOSTON – Rookie starter Tanner Houck struck out seven in four innings, and the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 4-1 on Wednesday night to split honors in a doubleheader.
The Blue Jays won the first game 4-1 by the same scoreline, after Robbie Ray pitched six quality innings and Randal Grichuk homered and drove in three runs.
Houck allowed a touchdown and two hits. Garrett Whitlock (4-1) followed with two scoreless innings and Matt Barnes ended the game for his 23rd save in 27 attempts.
Rookie Jarren Duran hit his first triple in the majors, an RBI in the fourth act. He scored on the play after center fielder George Springer failed to adequately control the ball.
Duran also hit a sacrifice fly. Kevin Plawecki had a season-high three hits for Boston.
Steven Matz (8-6) allowed four runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Vladimir Guerrero opened the fourth inning for Toronto with a double, and scored on Bo Bichette’s single. The Dominican reached Bichette as the leader of the American League, with 78 runs scored.
In Game 1, George Springer also homered for the Blue Jays to beat the AL East leaders in a game that was scheduled to take place Tuesday but was postponed due to rain at Fenway Park.
Ray (9-5) allowed one run and five hits, during which he struck out eight. Jordan Romano was credited for his eighth save with a perfect job in the seventh inning.
Grichuk hit his 19th home run, a tie-breaking two-run hit in the fourth inning off Garrett Richards (6-6). The ball landed in the front row of the stands on the center field side. Springer opened the fifth act by hitting his ninth home run.
In the evening duel, for the Blue Jays, the Dominicans Guerrero Jr. 4-1, Teoscar Hernández 3-0. Cuban Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 3-1 with a run scored.
For the Red Sox, Puerto Ricans Kiké Hernández 3-0 with a run scored, Christian Vázquez 3-0. The Dominican Rafael Devers 4-2. The Mexican Alex Verdugo 3-1.
In the second game, for the Blue Jays, the Dominicans Guerrero 3-1 with a run scored, Hernández 3-0, Santiago Espinal 2-0. The Cuban Gurriel 2-0.
For the Red Sox, Puerto Rican Hernandez 3-2 with a run scored. The Dominican Devers 3-2 with an RBI. The Mexican Verdugo 2-1 with one scored.
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