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WATCH: Alex Verdugo’s homer lifts Red Sox over Blue Jays

Jul 26, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) scores against the Toronto Blue Jays in the second inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Verdugo crushed a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning to carry the Boston Red Sox past the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 in the opener of a four-game series Monday night.

Verdugo (three RBIs) marked the Red Sox’s second dramatic comeback in as many days as they won for the sixth time in their last seven games. Rafael Devers also homered for Boston.

Bo Bichette hit a two-run homer for the Blue Jays, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in his 80th run of the season. Toronto has dropped five of six.

The Red Sox were no-hit over seven innings Sunday before rallying from 4-0 down to beat the New York Yankees 5-4. Against the Blue Jays, Boston had fallen behind 4-3 when Bichette went deep over the Green Monster in left field in the fifth inning.

With one out in the eighth, Hunter Renfroe worked a walk-off Trevor Richards (4-1) before Verdugo pulled a changeup over the bullpen in right for his 10th homer of the year.

The rally made a winner of Adam Ottavino (3-3). Matt Barnes pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 22nd save. It was Boston’s major-league-leading 33rd come-from-behind win.

Boston had Toronto starter Thomas Hatch on the ropes in the second inning of his season debut. A Renfroe leadoff double and Verdugo RBI single led to a quick 1-0 lead, and the bases were loaded with no outs when Michael Chavis grounded in a run. The Red Sox scored no more.

Toronto’s first four batters would reach in the third, Guerrero and Marcus Semien hitting RBI singles to knot the score. Both men were left on base, as the Blue Jays similarly failed to blow the game open.

Devers’ 27th home run with one out in the bottom of the third gave the Red Sox a 3-2 edge.

Hatch, who began the year on the injured list with right elbow impingement, gave up three runs on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta allowed four runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings, walking two and fanning three.

–Field Level Media

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