TOLex Verdugo and JD Martínez hit back-to-back home runs As part of a five-run first inning, Garrett Richards won his fourth consecutive decision and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Wednesday night.
The boricuas Kiké Hernández and Christian Vázquez also homered for the Red Sox, who are 13-6 on the road. Boston has outplayed its rivals in home runs 57-32.
Toronto, which lost the second of its last eight games, featured a two-run homer from Marcus Semien. Had the Blue Jays won, they could have overtaken Boston for the AL East lead.
The Mexican Verdugo drove in two runs and Martinez ended his 12-game homerless streak with a hit to the opposite garden. The first five batters reached base off Ross Stripling (0-2).
Bobby Dalbec also drove in a race with a double to the right meadow.
Richards (4-2) allowed two runs and seven hits, plus four walks and five strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings. The right-wing forced two double-play grounders.
For the Red Sox, the Puerto Ricans Kiké Hernández 5-3 with two runs scored and one RBI; Christian Vázquez 4-1 with a run scored and two RBIs. Venezuelan Marwin González 4-0. The Dominican Franchy Cordero 4-1. The Mexican Verdugo 5-2 with one scored and two produced.
For the Blue Jays, the Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4-1 with an RBI, his compatriot Teoscar Hernández 3-2.