Boston Red Sox

Live blog: Red Sox fall to Blue Jays 7-5 in home opener

Read through the Red Sox' first home game of the season as events unfolded at Fenway Park Tuesday.

Mookie Betts J.D. Martinez Red Sox
Mookie Betts' solo home run was part of a two-run Red Sox rally in the sixth inning. The Associated Press

By Tommy McArdle

5 minutes to read

The Red Sox opened their first homestand of the 2019 MLB season Tuesday at 2:05 p.m. against the Blue Jays. Chris Sale (0-3) started for the Sox, while Matt Shoemaker (3-0) will take the mound for Toronto. Toronto’s Ken Giles earned his third save of the season.

Here is how the day went:

Final: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 7

Dustin Pedroia led off with a single up the right field line for his first hit of the season. Jackie Bradley Jr. followed up by working a seven-pitch at-bat for a walk. Both pinch hitter Blake Swihart and Andrew Benintendi flew out to center field.

With two outs, two runners on base, and a full count, the Blue Jays’ Ken Giles struck Mookie Betts out to end the ballgame.

Top 9: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 7

Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes allowed one run and was substituted for Colton Brewer after striking out two batters. Brewer needed only two pitches to end the inning, but the Blue Jays yet again brought the lead back to two.

Bottom 8: Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 6

Joe Biagini entered to pitch the eighth inning for the Blue Jays. J.D. Martinez charged into second base with a double after hitting a ball off the Green Monster. Xander Bogaerts hit Martinez home with a two-out double up the right field line, shortening the Blue Jays’ lead to one again.

Top 8: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 6

Marcus Walden entered the game to pitch for the Red Sox. He answered Hudson’s 1-2-3 inning with one of his own, with two strikeouts along the way.

Bottom 7: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 6

Daniel Hudson struck out both Christian Vázquez and Andrew Benintendi looking en route to a 1-2-3 inning.

Top 7: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 6

Relief pitcher Heath Hembree entered the game to replace Tyler Thornburg. Hembree retired two batters before he was replaced by Brandon Workman, who allowed one run to score, bringing the Blue Jays’ lead back to two.

Bottom 6: Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 5

Rafael Devers hit a ball down the left field line with two outs that scored Bogaerts. A small Red Sox rally cut the Blue Jays’ lead to one, forcing Toronto to make two pitching changes during the sixth inning.

Advertisement:

Mookie Betts launched a leadoff home run over the Green Monster in left field to cut the Blue Jays’ lead to two. After Matt Shoemaker walked Xander Bogaerts, the Blue Jays turned to the bullpen, bringing in reliever Tim Mayza.

Top 6: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 5

Tyler Thornburg retired the side in the sixth inning.

Bottom 5: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 5

The Red Sox went three up, three down in the fifth inning.

Top 5: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 5

Relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg entered the game to replace Chris Sale on the mound. Thornburg earned two strikeouts and put away three batters in a row to end the inning.

Bottom 4: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 5

A Xander Bogaerts walk and Rafael Devers single to right field put two runners on first and third, but Dustin Pedroia grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

Top 4: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 5

Lourdes Gurriel stole home to cap off a three-run rally for the Blue Jays that included two passed balls by Christian Vazquez. Relief pitcher Marcus Walden began warming up in the bullpen.

Bottom 3: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 2

Christian Vazquez was caught stealing second base. Mookie Betts grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

Top 3: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 2

The Blue Jays got on the board with a single to right-center field, scoring Alen Hanson from second base. A sacrifice fly to center field scored the Blue Jays another run to tie the ballgame at 2.

Bottom 2: Red Sox 2, Blue Jays 0

Dustin Pedroia scored Xander Bogaerts in from third base when he grounded to shortstop to induce a double play.

Top 2: Red Sox 1, Blue Jays 0

Chris Sale struck out Lourdes Gurriel looking to end the inning. It was his first strikeout of the day.

Bottom 1: Red Sox 1, Blue Jays 0

Mitch Moreland launched a home run into the Red Sox’ bullpen in right field for the first hit, and run, of the day. J.D. Martinez swung out swinging to end the inning.

Top 1: Red Sox 0, Blue Jays 0

Chris Sale retired the Blue Jays’ first three hitters without allowing a man on base.

Advertisement:

The Red Sox and Patriots could not even fit all their hardware into one shot.

2018 World Series MVP Steve Pearce, 2013 MVP David Ortiz, 2007 MVP Mike Lowell, and 2004 MVP Manny Ramirez.

https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/1115676198288482305

The Patriots arrived out of left field (literally) with all six Lombardi Trophies.

Manny Ramirez posted an Instagram photo with the other members of past Red Sox World Series teams.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BwCuIIMljaf/

The entire team made their way to center field as Alex Cora raised the 2018 World Series championship flag. 

Rick Porcello flashed a grin at Alex Cora after checking out his ring for the first time.

David Price was the first Red Sox player to receive his ring.

Pedro Martinez, Mike Timlin, and Curt Schilling joined Manny Ramirez on the field.

Here are the Red Sox’ 2018 World Series championship rings.

The Red Sox opened the ceremony by unfurling banners from 2004, 2007, and 2013.

Manny Ramirez is, in fact, at Fenway Park.

Manny Ramirez is reportedly present for the home opener.

Alex Cora reportedly said that Chris Sale was sick before his last start against Oakland on April 6.

https://twitter.com/guerinaustin/status/1115629784388841480

Big Papi is in the building.

Dustin Pedroia has been activated from the injured list and will start at second base.

Advertisement:

Craig Kimbrel will not attend ceremonies at Fenway Park to receive his 2018 World Series championship ring, according to WBZ. 

Red Sox CEO and team president Sam Kennedy told WBZ that Kimbrel, who remains an unsigned free agent, feels his attendance may create a distraction for his teammates.

Pregame reading