Ceddanne Rafaela had three hits, including a go-ahead, two-out RBI single in the eighth inning, and the visiting Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 on Tuesday.
Tyler O’Neill’s home run to center leading off the eighth tied the game for the Red Sox, who have won the first two games of the three-game series and four straight overall.
Toronto right-hander Chris Bassitt allowed two runs, seven hits and two walks while striking out six in six innings.
Boston right-hander Tanner Houck gave up three runs (two earned), six hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings. He fanned five.
The Red Sox opened the scoring in the second inning. O’Neill led off with a double to left and scored on Dominic Smith’s two-out bloop single to center.
Toronto took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning. Justin Turner and Addison Barger began the frame with singles, and both scored on Ernie Clement’s two-out double.
Boston tied the game in the sixth. Rafael Devers doubled to left-center with one out and scored on a two-out single to center by Masataka Yoshida.
Toronto regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth. Daulton Varsho reached first on an error before stealing second, and Turner walked. Alejandro Kirk grounded into a fielder’s choice with one out, then Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a soft single past first base to score Turner. Zack Kelly (1-1) replaced Houck, escaped the jam and went on to log 1 1/3 innings.
Nate Pearson took over for Bassitt and allowed a double and a single in the seventh before being replaced with two outs by Brendon Little (0-1), who struck out Devers to end the threat.
O’Neill tied the game when he opened the eighth with his 15th homer of the season and his third of the series. Smith singled with two outs, prompting Toronto to replace Little with Chad Green. Pinch runner David Hamilton then stole second and scored on Rafaela’s single to left.
Kenley Jansen pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his 13th save of the season and fourth in seven days.
Toronto put shortstop Bo Bichette (right calf strain) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and recalled infielder Orelvis Martinez from Triple-A Buffalo. Boston reinstated right-hander Chris Martin (anxiety) from the IL and optioned right-hander Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Worcester.
–Field Level Media
