Jays aim to build on 'meaningful' win vs. Red Sox (Apr 25, 2018)
TORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays won the first of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox Tuesday night on a 10th-inning homer by Curtis Granderson.
The win had significance beyond defeating an American League East rival. The city of Toronto has been reeling since a van attack killed 10 people and injured 14 others Monday afternoon. A man has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder.
"I think the city is hurting right now," said Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ, who struck out a season-best 10 and allowed one run over seven innings in a no-decision on Tuesday. "We had some first responders (honored in a pregame ceremony) here today. I hope they enjoyed the game. It was a meaningful win for us on several levels."
The win ended a seven-game losing streak against the Red Sox at the Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays. The second game will be played Wednesday night with left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (2-0, 3.45 ERA) starting for Boston against Toronto right-hander Aaron Sanchez (1-2, 3.86 ERA).
"I think we remember that they played well against us, so I think it's nice to set the tone and get that first one," Happ said. "It's going to be battle all year long."
Granderson had three hits on the game. The homer against Boston closer Craig Kimbrel was his third of the season, and his fourth career walk-off blast.
He has eight RBIs in his past five games.
Granderson also threw out Eduardo Nunez, who was trying to score the go-ahead run from second on Brock Holt's game-tying single to left in the top of the ninth.
The Blue Jays outfielder said the positioning from Blue Jays first-base coach Tim Leiper, who also sets defensive alignments, helped give him a chance to make a successful throw.
"You have to challenge Granderson," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "You've been challenging Granderson for more than five years. He made a perfect throw and threw him out. ... We put ourselves in a position to win the game. It just didn't happen."
Granderson, who had been moved from right field to left field in the ninth, repeated what he had heard someone say from the Canadian capital of Ottawa after the tragedy.
"Somebody in Ottawa said continue to keep going, don't live in fear and don't stop things because of this incident," Granderson said. "So, having a lot of fans come out and continue to support and knowing we have a big game against the Red Sox, it was a big thing for the city and the country."
The Blue Jays (14-8) ended a two-game losing skid with the victory on Tuesday, while the Red Sox (17-5) have lost three in a row for the first time this season. They had won 17 of their first 20 games this season.
Holt was 3-for-4 for the Red Sox and he will take a seven-game hitting streak into the second game on Wednesday. Holt is batting 12-for-29 (.414) with four doubles, one homer and five RBIs during that span.
Sanchez will be making his fourth start of the season. He is 4-2 with a 3.75 ERA against the Red Sox in 15 games, including seven starts.
Rodriguez has won each of his past two starts. He is 1-3 with a 5.67 ERA in eight career appearances (seven starts) against the Blue Jays.
