TORONTO — The Boston Red Sox racked up a whole lot of runs in their first four games of the season.
Their streak came to a sudden end against Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada.
Estrada pitched seven shutout innings, Josh Donaldson hit a home run and the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox 3-0 on Sunday, avoiding a three-game sweep.
Activated off the 15-day DL before the game after missing the start of the season because of a sore lower back, Estrada gave up five hits, walked two and struck out eight.
“The three times I faced him, he didn’t give me one good pitch to hit,” Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia said. “He was on the corners, his changeup was great.”
Farrell said Estrada had a “Bugs Bunny type of changeup.”
“You could seemingly almost sit on the changeup and it wouldn’t get to home plate,” Farrell said.
Boston came up empty after scoring at least six runs and getting at least 10 hits in each of the first four games.
“(Estrada) pitched a heck of a game against us,” Farrell said. “We’ve been swinging the bat well here and throughout this road trip and he shut us down.”
Estrada’s efficient outing helped Toronto avoid its first five-game skid since May 13-17, 2015.
“It’s early in the season but we needed that game,” Blue Jays Manager John Gibbons said.
Drew Storen worked the eighth and Roberto Osuna finished for his third save to complete the seven-hitter.
Toronto used two singles and a walk to load the bases with nobody out in the first. Jose Bautista was forced out at second on Edwin Encarnacion’s RBI grounder to short, but Pedroia threw high to first as he tried to complete the double play, allowing a second run to score.
“The throw just got away from him,” Farrell said.
After reaching on a fielder’s choice in the third, Pedroia was thrown out at home plate trying to score from first on Xander Bogaerts’ double into the right-field corner. Second baseman Ryan Goins took the throw from Bautista and fired a perfect relay to catcher Russell Martin, who tagged Pedroia on the lower left leg just before he slid across the plate.
“They executed it perfectly,” Pedroia said. “They just put every throw on the money.”
Estrada wasn’t troubled again, retiring 12 of the final 15 batters he faced.
Knuckleballer Steven Wright allowed two runs, one earned, and five hits over 6 2/3 innings in his season debut. He’s the first Boston starter this season to pitch into the seventh inning, and the first to take a loss.
Donaldson made it 3-0 with a first-pitch drive off Noe Ramirez in the eighth. The homer was his fourth, tying him with Seattle’s Robinson Cano for the AL lead.
HOLT HURTING
Boston’s Brock Holt was not available to pinch hit after fouling a ball off his right foot Saturday. X-rays were negative and Holt is expected to be available for Monday’s home opener against Baltimore.
STREAK SNAPPED
Donaldson’s homer ended a streak of 9 1/3 scoreless innings by Boston relievers.
HANLEY STAYS HOT
Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez went 3 for 4 with two singles and a double, his fourth multihit game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
RED SOX: Right-hander Carson Smith (strained forearm) reported no problems following a 25-pitch bullpen session Saturday. Smith will throw another bullpen Monday or Tuesday, Farrell said.
BLUE JAYS: Left-hander Franklin Morales (shoulder) was placed on the 15-day DL to make room for Estrada. The move leaves Brett Cecil as the lone lefty in Toronto’s bullpen.
UP NEXT
Left-hander David Price (1-0, 3.00) makes his second start for Boston as the Red Sox face undefeated Baltimore in their home opener Monday. Right-hander Yovani Gallardo (1-0, 1.80) starts for the Orioles, who are 5-0. Price is 8-4 with a 2.65 ERA in 19 starts against Baltimore.
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