The Boston Red Sox hit four solo home runs in a 7-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays Monday night at Rogers Centre.
Canadian Tyler O’Neill hit two home runs against Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi. Rafael Devers and Ceddanne Rafaela also hit long balls against the left-handed gunner.
The Red Sox outshot the Blue Jays 11-10 in the first of a three-game series between the two American League East rivals.
In the loss, Justin Turner, in the sixth inning, and Davis Schneider, in the seventh, hit solo home runs for the Blue Jays.
Canadian pitcher Nick Pivetta (4-4) was effective for seven innings on the mound for the Red Sox.
The Victoria, British Columbia native gave up three earned runs, nine hits and one walk. He also had four strikeouts.
The Red Sox (38-35) have won six of their last eight outings. Following this setback, the Blue Jays (35-37) were unable to return to the .500 threshold.
Kikuchi (4-6) struck out the first two batters he faced before falling victim to back-to-back homers from O’Neill and Devers.
With his 13e long ball of the season, O’Neill briefly shared the Red Sox lead in home runs.
However, Devers regained the lead with a cannon shot that crossed the distance of 424 feet and flew over the fence in left-center field.
The Blue Jays cut the Red Sox lead in half in the second inning. Turner took a free pass and George Springer followed with a weak ball that fell to the ground in right infield.
Turner was able to get to third base before crossing home plate on a sacrifice fly from Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Rafaela led off the third inning with her eighth home run of the season and O’Neill, who grew up in Burnaby, B.C., added his 14e in 2024, later in third.
The Blue Jays starting pitcher allowed five earned runs and seven hits in four innings. He collected seven strikeouts.