The Boston Red Sox opened their latest series against the Toronto Blue Jays in losing fashion, dropping the first of three games, 9-0, on Friday at Rogers Centre.
The Red Sox fell to 75-82, while the Blue Jays improved to 88-69.
Check out the full box score here.
ONE BIG TAKEAWAY
Entering the series opener, Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah has absolutely dominated the Red Sox this season. In three previous starts, the 2022 American League All-Star allowed three runs off 16 hits through a combined 20 innings pitched -- recording a 1.35 ERA in games pitched against Boston.
In Toronto, that trend did not change.
The 24-year-old kept the Red Sox lineup at bay, shutting the offense down through six innings -- registering a no-hit bid through 4 1/3 innings. Boston's offense only managed to scrap three hits, which were all singles, striking out nine times and stranding five runners on base.
The Blue Jays bullpen was handed a picture-perfect start and followed Manoah's lead. Toronto's southpaw reliever Yusei Kikuchi kept the Red Sox scoreless throughout the remaining three innings, holding Boston's lineup to just one hit while tallying five strikeouts.
Toronto outhit Boston 13-3.
STARS OF THE GAME
-- Manoah starred and led the way for Toronto in their latest division battle against the Red Sox. The Blue Jays starter earned his 16th win of the season, pitching six shutout innings while allowing two hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
-- George Springer collected the most RBIs, contributing three to the scoreboard for the Blue Jays. The 33-year-old veteran outfield delivered all three runs with one swing of the bat, crushing a three-run no-doubter in the sixth inning to push Toronto's lead to 8-0. Springer went 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs.
-- Jarren Duran recorded one of three Red Sox hits in the game, connecting on a single against Manoah amid his return to the big league lineup. The 26-year-old finished 1-for-4 after getting the start in the leadoff spot for Boston.
WAGER WATCH
DraftKings Sportsbook set the odds of the game's first scoring play resulting in one run scored at -370. The Blue Jays got on the board in the first inning, courtesy of an RBI groundout from catcher Alejandro Kirk. A $100 bet placed on that bet would've resulted in a $127.03 payout.
ON DECK AT NESN
After opening their second to final season series with a loss, the Red Sox continue their three-game set against the Blue Jays on Saturday. First pitch from Rogers Centre is scheduled for 3:07 p.m. ET, and you can catch the game, along with an hour of pregame coverage, live on NESN.
