Jul 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz is greeted at home plate by first baseman Mike Napoli after hitting a two-run home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
If there was ever a turning point coming in the Boston Red Sox season, it was tonight. Before the game at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Red Sox fans wondered whether they could carry the success of their most recent sweep of the Royals into the series with the Jays. Those questions were quickly put to rest.
Following Sunday’s game, David Ortiz told WEEI that he was about to get “hotter than Jamaica in the middle of August.” The big man doesn’t lie. Big Papi followed through with his promise, hitting two home runs en route to a 14-1 victory over the Blue Jays on the road.
The scoring began for the Red Sox in the second inning, when Drew and Vazquez both hit RBI singles to put Boston up 2-0. Drew wasted no time the following inning, as he hit a three-run home run to right field to add to the lead. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed up with an RBI double, scoring Xander Bogaerts, and the Sox went up 6-0.
Toronto got on the board in the bottom half of the inning off a double by Juan Francisco, but it didn’t help the Jays much.
In the fourth, Ortiz blasted home run number 21 to center field off of Drew Hutchison. The Sox continued the beat-down in the fifth inning, with a JBJ double to right field to make it 9-1. Vazquez then grounded out to make it 10-1, followed by a Brock Holt RBI single (surprise, surprise) to make it eleven.
It’s okay to cry for the Blue Jays, but please refrain from doing so yet, because… yes, there’s more.
Jul 21, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli is greeted by team mates in the dugout after scoring in the second inning against Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
David Ortiz wanted to be sure his Jamaican comment got some real attention, and decided it would be a good idea if he jacked yet another home run (his 22nd of the season) to make it 13-1. Napoli got the memo, and went back-to-back off of Brad Mills, following Big Papi with one of his own.
Meanwhile, John Lackey dominated the Jays offense, giving up just two hits in seven innings of work, while allowing one run.
Felix Doubront and Craig Breslow finished off the game for the Red Sox, without any trouble. Monday’s landslide in Toronto marks the Red Sox fifth straight win, having yet to lose since the All-Star break.
Should the Red Sox keep playing like this, it wouldn’t be crazy to call them a contender. Stay tuned.
Notes: Brock Holt also revealed his alter-ego as Peter Parker, and therefore Spider-Man in right field, making a ridiculous catch. LEGEND.