TORONTO (AP) — A big afternoon from Mookie Betts helped the Red Sox sweep aside the struggling Blue Jays
Betts hit two home runs and matched a career-high with eight RBIs as Boston routed Toronto 15-1 on Sunday. He went 4 for 6 as AL East-leading Boston won for the sixth time in seven games, completing the three-game sweep.
He hit an RBI single in the second, a three-run homer in the fourth, a two-run blast in the sixth, and a two-run single in the seventh. It was the second multihomer game of the season for Betts, who also hit two at Philadelphia on June 14. Betts had eight RBIs against Arizona on Aug. 14, 2016.
“When you get to the plate, you’re just expecting a good pitch to hit and you’re ready for it,” Betts said. “Today I was just more ready than other days.”
Drew Pomeranz (8-4) pitched six innings for his third straight road win. He allowed one run, improving to 3-0 with a 1.82 ERA in his past six road starts. The left-hander is unbeaten away from Fenway Park since a May 9 loss at Milwaukee.
“He’s been strong, he’s been very consistent,” manager John Farrell said.
Hanley Ramirez had three hits, including a two-run homer, as the Red Sox collected a season-high 21 hits.
Joe Biagini (2-8) took the loss as he was chased in the sixth inning by Betts’ second homer.
After going 1-4 with a 5.88 ERA in five June starts, Biagini struggled again in his first July outing, allowing season-worsts of 10 hits and seven runs in 5 1-3 innings.
“A frustrating series for us,” Biagini said.
Toronto scored 11 runs in going 1-5 on its homestand against Baltimore and Boston and has lost eight of 10.
“We’ve been cold for the last few days,” manager John Gibbons said. “That’s got to change.”
The last-place Blue Jays are 13-24 against division opponents. Only Oakland (13-27) has fared worse.
“Now’s the time to bounce back and just get it going,” Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin said.
Fernando Abad pitched the final three innings for his first save.
Tzu-Wei Lin and Deven Marrero reached on consecutive bunt singles to begin the fourth before Betts hit his first homer.
It was the first home run allowed by a Toronto pitcher since June 25 at Kansas City, snapping a streak of 58 homeless innings.
JAYS COOK UP NEW HOME FOR GRILLI
Toronto traded RHP Jason Grilli and cash to Texas for Class-A OF Eduard Pinto.
INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM
Toronto announced the signings of SS Miguel Hiraldo (Dominican Republic) and SS Leonardo Jimenez (Panama). The Blue Jays traded Class-A OF Lane Thomas to St. Louis for international amateur signing bonus space.
MAKING CRIME PAY
Boston stole two bases Sunday. The Red Sox have won 14 straight in which they’ve stolen at least two bases, including 12 such games this season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts (left groin) was scratched from the starting lineup. Lin moved from third to short and Marrero started at third. … INF/OF Brock Holt (vertigo) went 1 for 3 in a rehab game at Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday. Holt has been out since April 21.
Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (blister) made his second minor league rehab start, allowing four runs in 4 1/3 innings at Triple-A Buffalo. Sanchez struck out four and walked three. He threw 76 pitches, 40 strikes.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (4-10, 5.06) starts the opener of a three-game series in Texas. Porcello has pitched at least six innings in 14 straight starts, the longest active streak in the majors. LHP Martin Perez (4-6, 4.70) starts for the Rangers.
Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (8-4, 3.41) starts the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium. Stroman has allowed seven runs in nine innings over two starts against the Yankees this season. RHP Masahiro Tanaka (6-7, 5.56) starts for New York.