BOSTON (AP) — Jarrod Saltalamacchia hit a tying solo homer with two out in the seventh inning and the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 on Tuesday night.
Saltalamacchia’s line drive to left off reliever Jason Frasor just cleared the Green Monster for his 14th homer, tying it at 1. The Red Sox then loaded the bases on a double, a hit batter and a walk before Dustin Pedroia drove in two with a single up the middle.
The rally spoiled a strong performance by Aaron Laffey in his first start in nearly two years. Laffey stepped in for Toronto’s depleted rotation and pitched six crisp innings, allowing three hits, walking two and striking out two. Laffey retired 12 straight batters after Mike Aviles’ leadoff single in the first.
Adrian Gonzalez added an RBI double in the eighth after David Ortiz reached on his second double of the game. Will Middlebrooks put the Red Sox up 5-1 with a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
Andrew Miller (2-0) recorded an out in the seventh to pick up the win. Vicente Padilla pitched a perfect eighth, striking out two and setting up Alfredo Aceves for a 1-2-3 ninth.
After Saltalamacchia went deep, pinch-hitter Ryan Kalish doubled to right against Luis Perez (2-2). David Pauley came out of the bullpen and hit Daniel Nava with a pitch. Pauley then walked Mike Aviles to load the bases and Pedroia’s hit made it 3-1.
Boston starter Daisuke Matsuzaka went 5 2-3 innings, allowing five hits. He struck out five and walked one.
Brett Lawrie led off the game with a double to center and scored on a two-out single by Edwin Encarnacion, putting Toronto ahead 1-0.
Pedroia walked with one out in the sixth and tried to scamper home on Ortiz’s double off the Green Monster, but Rajai Davis recovered after misplaying the hop and threw a straight shot to catcher Jeff Mathis in time for the tag.
NOTES: The series is tied 1-1 and concludes with an afternoon game Wednesday. Boston’s Jon Lester (4-5) is scheduled to face Ricky Romero (8-1). … The Red Sox announced RHP Clay Buchholz experienced erosion of his esophagus, and the condition caused internal bleeding. The team says he is doing well and is expected to make a complete recovery. … Laffey’s previous start was July 19, 2010. … Davis led off the second with a single, but Matsuzaka picked him off first.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
