TORONTO – Tyler O’Neill hit two of Boston’s four home runs, Canadian Nick Pivetta pitched seven innings and the Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 on Monday night for their sixth victory in eight games.
A day after setting a team record with nine stolen bases, the Red Sox clawed their way to victory by fending off Yusei Kikuchi four times, matching his career worst.
Boston didn’t steal any bases, but Romy Gonzalez was caught stealing twice.
Gonzalez was caught in a collapse and was thrown out at third base in the fourth inning. Toronto used video replay to overturn a safe call at third on Boston’s double steal attempt in the eighth.
Pivetta (4-4) allowed three runs and nine hits. He walked one and struck out four.
“It’s always very exciting for me to launch in my country,” said Pivetta. “My mom was here today with my aunt, so I think that’s really good. I was happy that we managed to win and have a good day.
O’Neill and Pivetta were born in the Western Province of British Columbia.
“It’s always fun to come home and breathe the northern air, just stay here for a little while,” O’Neill said.
Brad Keller got five strikeouts but left after two Blue Jays reached the ninth. Kenley Jansen came in and retired Davis Schneider for his 12th save in 13 chances.
Boston’s first four hits were all solo home runs. O’Neill and Rafael Devers hit back-to-back shots with two outs in the first.
“Offensively, we came out good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “The two homers put us in a good position.”
Ceddanne Rafaela singled to start the third and O’Neill pitched his second strikeout twice later.
O’Neill’s home runs were his 13th and 14th. It was his second multi-homer game of the season and the seventh of his career.
“It’s a better lineup when he’s playing,” Cora said.
O’Neill was 0-for-9 in his only two previous games in Toronto, but turned things around in his first two trips to the plate. He fell to the ground to end the fifth, was intentionally picked off in the seventh and turned into a double play in the ninth.
Devers hit his 14th home run. Ceddanne’s was eighth.
The Red Sox have scored five runs or more eight times in 12 games. Boston is 27-15 when it hits at least one home run and 11-20 without any.
Kikuchi (4-6) allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings. He walked none and struck out seven.
“Just an abnormal start for Yusei with his stuff tonight,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said.
The left-hander has not allowed more than one home run in any of his previous 14 starts this season. He last gave up four against Houston on Aug. 2, 2019, his rookie season with Seattle.
Justin Turner reached base three times and hit a solo home run for Toronto, his first since April 29.
Davis Schneider was also honored by the Blue Jays, his ninth.
ROSTER MOVEMENTS
Boston activated Gonzalez (left hamstring) from the 10-day injured list and optioned INF/OF Jamie Westbrook to Triple-A Worcester.
Toronto placed RHP Yimi García (elbow) on the 15-day IL and selected LHP Brandon Eisert from Triple-A Buffalo.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: SS David Hamilton left after three innings due to left side discomfort. He was replaced by Enmanuel Valdez. “We were proactive, so we hope it’s not a stint on the IL,” Cora said of Hamilton. “We will know more tomorrow.”
Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (right calf) sat out for the third consecutive game.
NEXT
RHP Chris Bassitt (6-6, 3.56 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Blue Jays on Tuesday night against Red Sox RHP Tanner Houck (7-5, 2.08).
___
This story originally appeared on ABCNews.go.com read the full story
