Blue Jays defeat Red Sox 6-4, Soriano records first home victory

Toronto held off Boston 6-4 on Wednesday, taking a 3-0 lead in the three-game series. The winning run came in the bottom of the eighth when Kazuma Okamoto hit a go-ahead single after Willson Contreras dropped a pop-fly in foul territory. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. scored on the play, and Myles Straw added a two-run double later in the inning.

José Soriano, making his first start at the Rogers Centre, worked six innings and gave up one run, showcasing the command the team expects from him as a potential No. 2 starter.

“I was given another chance right there,” Okamoto said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “I was able to regroup. I wanted to at least move the runners over, so I was glad I got the big hit right there.” “That was incredible,” Soriano said after the game. “It was incredible, those fans. I came here to do my best.” “There are some young guys bringing some energy and some guys who have things to prove,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “It’s a good feeling right now.” “He’s got a really slow heartbeat. He was really good, in control and he’s already taken to what we’ve talked about, just trying to get his stuff in the zone,” Schneider added.

The victory puts Toronto in position to complete a series sweep tomorrow. The team’s recent performance has highlighted a need for more extra-base hits, a point Schneider noted as a factor in generating offense more efficiently.

“If you had nine guys who could run like Brett Bateman, it’s probably a really good thing. There probably needs to be a little more blend of extra-base hits,” he said.

The win marks a positive step for the Blue Jays as they aim to secure a Wild Card spot in the American League.