By Canadian Press

Blue Jays beat Red Sox after a walk-off home run in first game of doubleheader

Aug 7, 2021 | 3:02 PM

TORONTO — A patient Blue Jays lineup found a way to outlast a solid pitching performance from Canadian Nick Pivetta in the opening game of their doubleheader against the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

With Pivetta of Victoria, B.C. out of the game after six outstanding innings, Toronto second baseman Marcus Semien smashed a first-pitch 95 mph fastball from reliever Matt Barnes (5-3) over the right-field wall for a 1-0 win in the seven-inning game.

It was Semien’s 26th homer of the year and first career walk-off blast to give the Blue Jays (59-49) a seventh win in eight starts since their Rogers Centre return on July 30.

The Red Sox (64-48) have lost eight on their last nine outings.

The 28-year-old Pivetta set down the first 14 batters in order. 

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Then, after hard-hit outs to right and left field from Bo Bichette and Teoscar Hernandez respectively to begin the fifth inning, Blue Jays outfielder Corey Dickerson broke up the no-hit bid with a two-out single to left.

Pivetta allowed only one hit and one walk to go with five strikeouts in his 76-pitch gem.

Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray was almost as effective as Pivetta through five innings. He yielded a leadoff walk to Kike Hernandez to begin the game and a one-out single in the fifth inning to Kevin Plawecki. However, the Red Sox catcher was erased on a double play.

Boston put runners on first and second with no out in the sixth inning. Ray issued a leadoff walk to infielder Bobby Dalbec and a Jonathan Arauz single to left.

But the Blue Jays starter managed to strike out Hernadez, get Alex Verdugo to hit into a forceout and Xander Bogaerts on a foul pop up to Toronto first baseman Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Ray pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only four baserunners with two hits and two walks, and struck out five Red Sox.

Canadian Jordan Romano (5-1) took over for Ray in the seventh inning and enjoyed a one-two-three frame with two strikeouts.

Boston was without standout outfielder J.D. Martinez. He was placed on the team’s COVID-19-related injured list. 

He hasn’t tested positive, but Martinez felt unwell following Friday’s game and on Saturday.

Rookie Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran was put on the list on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug 7, 2021

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press