Homer-happy Jays throttle Red Sox

Had it not been for a putrid pen, the Jays would be poised to sweep the Red Sox in Boston’s homer-friendly playpen.

As it is, the Jays should be feeling good about themselves as they find themselves poised to take a four-game series over an American League East opponent.

The brooms should have been out for Monday’s finale, but at least the momentum of Saturday’s five-homer win carried over into Sunday’s matinee as Toronto’s unyielding and unrelenting bats kept rolling and launching.

Two of the team’s eight home runs Sunday came courtesy of Teoscar Hernandez, who had a career-high six RBI performance to pace the offence en route to the Jays’ 18-4 win.

The franchise record for most home runs is 10.

Robbie Ray took to the mound with a four-run lead to begin his day at Fenway and was able to put it in cruise control.

The homer-happy Jays were back at it quite early in the afternoon with Hernandez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. going deep. Marcus Semien, Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. got into the homer act.

It got so bad Sunday for the Sox that they had to resort to positional players pitching. Rowdy Tellez went deep in the ninth off Christian Arroyo.

Alek Manoah makes his fourth big league start Monday night for the Jays, who began their run in Beantown by banging out 16 hits Friday as the Sox overcame a 5-1 deficit to win 6-5 when Toronto’s bullpen imploded.

“I’m starting to feel good at the plate again,” said Hernandez. “A couple of weeks ago, I was chasing out of the strike zone.” Hitting behind Guerrero helps. “It’s one of the best things that could happen to me,” said Hernandez. “They don’t want to pitch to Vlady because he’s more than on fire.”

Manager Charlie Montoyo liked how his team quickly moved past Friday’s blown opportunity.

“We fight back every time after tough losses,” he said. “It’s a credit to our whole team. We keep on fighting and it’s fun to watch.”

Ray’s outing may have been overshadowed by the offensive onslaught, but the skipper took notice.

“He’s been very good,” said Montoyo. “The best compliment I can give him is that every time he takes the mound we have a chance to win.”

Ray was quite impressed with the team’s offence.

“The way we were swinging, it was really impressive,” he said.

MATZ MOVED TO IL

A day after starting and earning the win, lefty starter Steven Matz was placed on the Covid-related injured list an hour or so before Sunday’s opening pitch in Boston because of an inconclusive test.

The Jays recalled right-handed reliever Jeremy Beasley from triple A. Beasley made his sixth appearance of the season to start the ninth inning and needed 20 pitches to close out the game.

Matz (7-3) held the Red Sox to four hits and a run over 5.2 innings Saturday, striking out eight with two walks.

The Jays reached MLB’S 85 per cent vaccination threshold for relaxed COVID-19 protocols earlier in the week.

Inconclusive tests lead to followup tests as the next step in the process. Suffice to say a negative test will allow Matz to pitch in his next scheduled start Thursday, when the New York Yankees visit Buffalo’s Sahlen Field.

TAYLER MADE

Born in Hawaii before his family settled in Seattle at age three, off to Japan when his mom married a Navy Seal, and then back to the Emerald City, it’s been quite the journey for Tayler Saucedo.

His baseball path is equally unique.

Saucedo fancied himself a starter. He spent his time in 2018 and 2019 in double A and triple A.

Saucedo admitted during a Zoom call Sunday how 2020 proved challenging, a lost year for many.

“It was tough on a lot of people,” said the left-hander who was called up by the Blue Jays on Saturday. “Being so close in 2019 (to the big leagues) and then not being part of a team was tough.”

Saucedo retreated to Seattle and basically spent time on his own messing around with his grip by throwing into a fence for four months, by his recollection.

He got word of his call up in Trenton, N.J., temporary home of the Jays triple A Buffalo affiliate.

When he opened the doors to the team’s clubhouse, Saucedo was drenched in beer.

“It was unreal feeling,” he said of the moment.

FOR THE RECORD

Toronto set season highs Sunday in runs (18), hits (20), home runs (eight) and extra base hits (11) . ... A franchise-record seven players hit at least one home run. ... Toronto has hit five-plus home runs in consecutive games for the third time in club history . ... Bichette’s five runs scored tied a franchise mark . ... Ray has recorded 86 strikeouts in his last 10 starts, joining Roger Clemens (25 times from 1997-98) and A.J. Burnett (twice from 2006-08) as the only Blue Jays with at least 86 strikeouts in a 10-game span . ... Semien has hit 14 of his 15 homers while playing second base, the most in baseball at that position this season.