BOSTON — David Ortiz smacked an RBI double high off the Green Monster to cap a two-run third inning, teasing a Fenway Park crowd that wanted to see the slugger move one shot closer to No. 500.
Though his drive didn’t clear the wall, he helped the Boston Red Sox to an 11-4 rout of the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.
Tuesday's game
WHO: Toronto Blue Jays (Dickey 10-10) at Boston Red Sox (Owens 2-2)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
Television: NESN
The 39-year-old slugger said he’s enjoying his chase to becoming the 27th player with 500 homers. He’s currently at 497.
“Baseball is fun for me,” he said after the game. “There’s no pressure for me. Ever.”
Jackie Bradley Jr. had four hits with a two-run home run and four RBI, Rick Porcello pitched into the eighth inning and the Red Sox won their fourth straight.
Bradley homered into the first row of Monster seats in a three-run sixth.
The 25-year-old outfielder, who shuttled between Triple-A Pawtucket and the majors this season, continued his torrid pace. Since Aug. 9, he’s hitting .446 with 24 extra-base hits in 25 games.
“I think that there is a general overall confidence that he is showing right now,” Red Sox interim manager Torey Lovullo said. “And he can walk up to the plate and hit at any count and any pitch at any part of the at-bat, and that is from a lot of hard work behind the scenes that he has put in.”
The Blue Jays lost for just the fourth time in 16 games and saw their lead atop the East sliced to a half game over the New York Yankees, who beat Baltimore 8-6 on Monday.
Bradley added two singles and a double, and Travis Shaw hit a two-run homer for Boston, which won for the eighth time in 11 games.
“We’re a very quick-striking offense. We are capitalizing in key situations,” Lovullo said. “We’re not giving away at-bats and it’s going hand-in-hand with our pitching. There’s no mystery to it. We are getting outstanding starting pitching.”
Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak hit solo homers for Toronto. Donaldson’s was his 37th.
Porcello (7-12) had his third consecutive strong start since coming off the disabled list following a right triceps strain.
He allowed four runs – three earned – and eight hits over 71/3 innings.
Working on seven days’ rest after complaining of fatigue, Mark Buerhle (14-7) gave up five runs on nine hits in 31/3 innings.
Toronto leads the majors with 191 homers and 750 runs.
The Red Sox broke in front 5-1 by scoring twice in both the third and fourth.
Xander Bogaerts’ run-scoring grounder pushed Boston in front 2-1 before Ortiz’s RBI double.
Bradley and Mookie Betts had consecutive RBI singles, making it 5-1.
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