9 Run 5th Inning Dooms Red Sox – Boston Falls to Toronto 12-4 [VIDEO]

Nathan Eovaldi was cruising through 4 innings Friday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. The problem is he came out for the 5th inning and the wheels fell off the bus, as he allowed 7 runs and the Red Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto 12-4.

Eovaldi went 4.2 innings allowing 8 hits and 7 runs. He struck out 4 and walkeed 2.

Hansel Robles poured gas on the fire, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits before getting the last out in the 5th inning.

It didn't get any better pitching wise for Boston as Austin Davis gave up a run in the 6th inning and Martin Perez gave up a run in the 7th inning.

In the hopes of not damaging the bullpen further with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday, Manager Alex Cora had Jonathan Arauz pitch the 9th, and he too gave up a run.

Arauz was recalled from Triple A Worcester prior to the game when Jarren Duran was placed on the COVID Injured List. It is hoped that Duran will be able to play at least 1 of the games on Saturday

Hunter Renfroe hit a 2-run homer for the Red Sox in the 6th inning.

Alex Verdugo was 2-4 with a double

Kike Hernandez and Xander Bogaerts each had a run batted in.

The Blue Jays had 17 hits off of Boston's pitchers.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit his 12th homer of the season, a 2-run shot and was 2-5

The Blue Jays had 6 doubles and a triple to go along with the home run.

Manager Alex Cora on the game

The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles, 10-6, so the Red Sox are now 2.5 games back of the Rays. The Yankees beat the Mariners 3-2 in 11 innings, so Boston is 1.5 games ahead of the Yankees for the Wild Card.

The Red Sox and Blue Jays will play a doubleheader Saturday, 2 7-inning games. Nick Pivetta will start the 1st game for Boston and Tanner Houck will pitch the night cap. Pregames start at 2:07 p.m. and 6:07 p.m. with first pitches at 3:07 p.m. and 7:07 p.m. Hear the games on AM 1370 WDEA.