BOSTON — Raimel Tapia hit a two-run homer as part of a five-run second-inning attack as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Wednesday.
The Dominican drove in his first races so far this season, to support the work of José Berríos. The Puerto Rican won for the first time in three starts this season, allowing one run and eight hits over six innings, with six strikeouts and one walk.
Berríos improved his ERA from 11.81 to 6.35.
Left-hander Tim Mayza got two outs and allowed two hits, while right-handers Trevor Richards and Julian Merryweather combined to go 2 1/3 innings without giving up a hit.
Nick Pivetta (0-3) allowed five runs and seven hits in four innings, during which he gave up four walks. His ERA dropped from 9.39 to 10.03.
The Canadian right-hander didn’t make it to the fifth inning for the second straight start.
For the Blue Jays, the Dominicans Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2-0, Tapia 5-1 with a run scored and two RBIs, Santiago Espinal 2-0 with a run scored and an RBI. Cuban Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 5-2 with a run scored. Mexican Alejandro Kirk 3-2 with a run scored.
For the Red Sox, Puerto Rican Kiké Hernández 5-0. Rafael Devers 5-1 with a run scored. Mexican Alex Verdugo 4-1.
