Blue Jays jump on Sox quickly
Bautista’s three- run blast helps Toronto avoid sweep
TORONTO — Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista gave Toronto starter Drew Hutchison an early lead by blasting a three- run homer in the first inning.
It was more than enough support for the rookie right- hander, who held the Boston Red Sox to five hits over seven innings as Toronto avoided a sweep with a 5- 1 victory Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.
“Hutch continues to mature right in front of our eyes,” said Blue Jays manager John Farrell. “Staked to a five- run lead, he kept going out and putting up zeros and keeping the momentum on our side.”
The Blue Jays added two more runs in the second inning to chase Daniel Bard from the game.
Toronto ( 28- 26) ended a two- game skid with the victory and moved into a tie with fourth- place Boston ( 28- 26). Both clubs are three games behind the first- place Tampa Bay Rays in the tight American League East.
Hutchison ( 5- 2), who gave up a solo homer to Kelly Shoppach in the fifth inning, allowed one earned run, walked one and struck out five. It was his fourth win in five games and lowered his earned- run average by almost a half- point to 4.35.
“Once again I was able to find my arm slot and get into a good rhythm out there,” Hutchison said.
“The offence did a great job putting numbers on the board early. I just stayed with [ catcher] J. P. [ Arencibia] really and the defence was playing great so it was another good outing.”
Bard ( 5- 6) was wild from the start, walking the first two batters before Bautista belted a no- doubter to deep left field. Bautista connected on a 3- 2 pitch for his 14th homer of the season.
He has rounded into form after a slow start to the season.
“When he stays with a consistent approach and he has an understanding of what the strike zone is going to be, he’s one of the most feared hitters in baseball,” Farrell said.
Bard recorded just five outs before he was pulled.
He finished with six walks and hit both Yunel Escobar and Edwin Encarnacion on the right hand with pitches.