Red Sox fans may never forgive the team for the Mookie Betts trade, but Alex Verdugo is trying his best to make them.
Verdugo homed twice and robbed a home game over the right field goal when Boston defeated the Blue Jays, 5-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Fenway Park. The outfielder, who was acquired as the centerpiece of the five-player deal that Betts and David Price sent to the Dodgers in February, has now hit three home points in Boston’s last two games.
Both Verdugo’s homers – a second-inning blast from Tanner Roark and an eight-inning shot from Rafael Dolis – went to the opposite field as he recorded the second multi-homer game of his career. Shortly after his second homer, he robbed former Red Sox attacker Travis Shaw in the ninth, reaching over the wall and into the Blue Jays’ ballpoint pen to make the catches.
On a night when Red Sox starter Ryan Weber was pulled in the fourth inning for the third straight start, the bullpen kept the Blue Jays’ offense in check and Verdugo delivered three great moments as Boston improved to 5 -8.
Blue Jays second baseman Cavan Biggio greets Weber by launching a leadoff homer over the Green Monster to put Toronto in first, but wild Jays starter Tanner Roark gifted the Sox running back in the bottom half of the inning. Roark ran four of the first five fighters he faced, forcing in a run and giving Mitch Moreland the first of his three RBIs overnight.
Verdugo then cleared the Green Monster for his first career Fenway Park home run in the second, homer for the second straight night and put Boston up, 2-1. After a Bo Bichette RBI double off Weber made things even, Moreland hit his fourth homer of the year – a two-run shot that gave the Red Sox the lead for good.
After relief Heath Hembree and Colten Brewer threw back-to-back scoreless innings, Ryan Brasier ran into trouble in the sixth, but was saved by some poor Toronto baserunning. With Rowdy Tellez at first, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. an RBI double, but was thrown out and tried to reach third base without outs. After a Randal Grichuk single, Brasier got Shaw to the ground in a double play to finish the inning.
Matt Barnes fired a jam of his own in the eighth, setting the stage for Verdugo to provide some assurance. Verdugo’s second explosion over the Monster was a no doubt, hitting the sign of National Car Rental.
Brandon Workman grabbed a scoreless ninth for his third save of the year.
Godley gets his second Sox start Saturday
Right-hander Zack Godley will take the ball for the Red Sox on Saturday against Toronto, with first pitch scheduled for 7:30 pm ET. The Jays have named their starter as “TBA.”
Godley struggled in his club debut Saturday at Yankee Stadium,
Related links:
Alex Verdugo could soon lead for Boston Red Sox: ‘I will not be stubborn and (Andrew Benintendi) stay there forever,’ says Ron Roenicke
Andrew Benintendi of Boston Red Sox (2-for-29, 12 Ks): ‘Of course this start is probably the worst of my career’
Boston Red Slugger Rafael Devers hit 32.7%; ‘If he’s out of the zone, he will not perform so well’
