Blue Jays’ Brandon Valenzuela Hits Second Career Home Run in 8-1 Win Over Red Sox

Key facts

• Brandon Valenzuela hit a solo home run in the eighth inning, his second career homer.
• Ernie Clement hit a two-run homer, his first of the season, off Brayan Bello.
• Kazuma Okamoto drove in two runs with a single in a three-run third inning.
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and scored once.
• George Springer returned from a 15-game injury absence with a pinch-hit RBI single.
• Toronto outhit Boston 10-9 and won 8-1.
• Blue Jays starter Eric Lauer was pulled in the fifth after loading the bases; Braydon Fisher induced a double play.
• The sellout crowd of 41,314 gave Springer a standing ovation in the fifth inning.

Valenzuela’s Late Blast Seals Victory

Brandon Valenzuela crushed a solo home run to deep centre field in the eighth inning, his second career homer, extending the Toronto Blue Jays’ lead over the Boston Red Sox. The rookie catcher’s shot capped an 8-1 rout at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, as Toronto won its third consecutive series. The victory improved the Blue Jays to 14-16, their seventh win in 10 games. The Red Sox fell to 12-19, having lost three of their last four.

Clement and Okamoto Provide Early Power

Ernie Clement turned on a pitch from Boston starter Brayan Bello in the fourth inning for his first home run of the season, a two-run shot that extended Toronto’s lead. Kazuma Okamoto had already driven in two runs with a single in the three-run third inning, scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Yohendrick Pinango. Pinango recorded his first career RBI on that play, driving in Guerrero. The Blue Jays’ offence produced 10 hits, with Guerrero collecting three of them and scoring once.

Springer Returns to Standing Ovation

George Springer, activated about an hour before the game, returned to the lineup after a 15-game absence due to a fractured big toe suffered on April 11. The four-time all-star received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,314 when he pinch-hit in the fifth inning, delivering an RBI single. Springer’s return bolsters a Toronto outfield that has struggled with injuries. His presence in the lineup is expected to provide a lift as the team climbs back toward.500.

Pitching Duel and Key Defensive Play

Toronto starter Eric Lauer was pulled after loading the bases with one out in the fifth inning. Reliever Braydon Fisher needed just two pitches to induce a double play, escaping the jam and preserving the lead. Fisher earned his second win of the season. In the fifth, Boston’s Willson Contreras lined out to shortstop Andres Gimenez, who threw to Clement at second base to double off Caleb Durbin. Contreras had earlier hit a solo home run, his only hit of the game.

Red Sox Offense Stifled Despite Recent Success

The Red Sox had limited opponents to three runs or fewer in each of their previous four games, but Toronto’s 10-hit attack broke that streak. Boston managed nine hits but could not string together rallies, stranding runners in scoring position. Willson Contreras’ solo homer was the only Red Sox run. Starter Brayan Bello fell to 1-4 after allowing five earned runs over four-plus innings.

What’s Next for Both Teams

The Blue Jays travel to Minnesota on Thursday, sending ace Kevin Gausman (2-1, 2.57 ERA) to the mound against Twins right-hander Bailey Ober (2-1, 3.94). The Red Sox have an off-day before hosting the Houston Astros on Friday. Toronto’s recent surge has pulled them within two games of.500, while Boston continues to struggle at the bottom of the AL East.

The bottom line

• Brandon Valenzuela hit his second career home run, a solo shot in the eighth inning.
• Ernie Clement and Kazuma Okamoto each drove in two runs to power the Blue Jays’ offence.
• George Springer returned from a toe injury with a pinch-hit RBI single, earning a standing ovation.
• Toronto won 8-1, its seventh win in 10 games, improving to 14-16.
• Boston fell to 12-19, losing its fourth game in five outings.
• The Blue Jays send Kevin Gausman to the mound Thursday at Minnesota.