(Boston) Despite being limited to three hits, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 Tuesday night at Fenway Park in the first of a three-game series between the two American League East Division rivals.
Updated at 0:32
The Red Sox (6-5) also scored the winning run in the second half of the seventh inning without making a single hit.
Facing reliever Yimi Garcia (0-1), Bobby Dalbec started the inning by reaching second base following an erratic throw from shortstop Bo Bichette.
Dalbec then went to third base on a groundout from Jackie Bradley Jr. to Bichette, and crossed home on a Connor Wong sacrifice fly to right field.
“The game felt like a playoff and I made the decisions like it was,” Sox manager Alex Cora said. Of course, we usually want more than two points, but it was enough this time. »
The Blue Jays (6-5) had taken the lead in the second inning thanks to Zack Collins’ second homer of the season against Nathan Eovaldi.
The Red Sox tied the game in the third inning thanks to back-to-back doubles by Enrique Hernandez and Trevor Story against starter Yusei Kikuchi.
The latter allowed one run and three hits in five innings.
“I have confidence in him now,” manager Charlie Montoyo said, quoted by the Jays website.
“We lost but I think when he goes to the mound we have a chance. He was aggressive with his rapid and he was in control. »
The victory went to Hansel Robles’ record (1-0) and Garrett Whitlock picked up a first save in 2022.
COVID-19 continues at the Red Sox
Ahead of the game, the names of Red Sox receiver Christian Vázquez and infielder Jonathan Araúz were added to the list of absences related to COVID-19.
Red Sox executives announced the additions Tuesday, a day after wide receiver Kevin Plawecki and two support staff tested positive for the coronavirus.
Right-handed pitcher Tyler Danish has been recalled from Worcester AAA level. The team also selected outfielder Rob Refsnyder from Worcester.
After his players’ 8-1 win over the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he expected to be without several players who are unvaccinated for a series in Toronto next week.
Starting pitcher Tanner Houck told the Boston Globe on Sunday that he is not vaccinated for COVID-19 and will not pitch in the four-game series against the Blue Jays, which begins on April 25. In principle, Houck would have started the second game.
The Government of Canada requires that a person must have received a second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine – or one dose of the vaccine produced by Johnson & Johnson – at least 14 days before entering the country.
Players retired due to COVID-19 vaccine issues are not paid and do not add days of seniority while on the shortlist.