TORONTO, ON — David Price did not allow any earned runs over five innings in his return from the injured list, and the Boston Red Sox hit four home runs in a 12-2 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday.
A 33-year-old left-hander, Price had not pitched since May 2 because of left elbow tendinitis.
Price (2-2) allowed three hits, struck out four and walked none, throwing 67 pitches.
Toronto scored twice in the second to tie the game after second baseman Michael Chavis allowed Billy McKinney's two-hop grounder to bounce out of his glove for an error with one out. Richard Ureña grounded out and Luke Maile, who had been 0 for 7 against Price in his career, drove a fastball over the wall in left-center for his second homer this year.
Price then retired his final 10 batters. He improved to 22-2 against the Blue Jays, including 9-0 in his last 10 starts at Toronto.
Chavis, Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers homered for the Red Sox, who started a seven-day trip to Toronto and Houston. The World Series champions are 23-14 since a 2-8 start.
Brandon Workman, Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier and Hector Velázquez combined for hitless relief as Boston outhit the Blue Jays 16-3.
Just one Toronto batter reached after the second, Freddy Galvis with a leadoff walk in the seventh. Toronto is batting a major league-low .218.
Bogaerts and Devers hit consecutive second-deck home runs in the ninth off Ryan Tepera, the third time the Red Sox have gone back-to-back this season. Bogaerts and Devers had three RBIs each.
In his second start with the Blue Jays, Edwin Jackson (0-1) gave up six runs - five earned - and seven hits in five innings. Toronto is the record 14th big league team for the 35-year-old right-hander.
Bogaerts hit a tiebreaking, two-run single in a four-run third that included Chavis' ninth home run, this season, a two-run drive. Bradley's two-run homer in the sixth against Elvis Luciano boosted the lead to 8-2, Bradley's first home run since Game 3 of the World Series and his first in the regular season since last Sept. 20.
GUERRERO
While many of the 26,794 on hand were disappointed that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was not in the starting lineup owing to a scheduled day off.
MOVES
Red Sox: C Óscar Hernández and RHP Josh Smith were optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket after Sunday's win over Houston. C Sandy León was activated from paternity leave and Price from the 10-day IL.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Blue Jays: 2B Eric Sogard (sprained left thumb) was a late scratch from the starting. Ureña moved to second and McKinney replaced Ureña in left field. . Manager Charlie Montoyo said RHP Ken Giles (wrist) was not available. .... After a rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday, LHP Clayton Richard (knee) is likely to make his season debut on Thursday.
UP NEXT
LHP Eduardo Rodríguez (4-2, 4.89), who takes the mound on Tuesday for the Red Sox, is 4-0 with a 3.46 ERA in his last seven starts, and hasn't given up a home run in a career-best five straight starts. Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (1-6, 2.95) is 4-3 with a 3.87 ERA in 12 starts against Boston.
