BOSTON (AP) — Raimel Tapia hit an inside-the-park grand slam after a misplay by Boston Red Sox center fielder Jarren Duran, and the Toronto Blue Jays set a franchise record for runs in a game, winning 28 -5 on Friday night at Fenway. Park.
The Blue Jays fell within two runs of the modern record for runs in a major league game after stranding two in the ninth inning with Red Sox infielder Yolmer Sanchez on the mound.
Each Blue Jays starter had at least two hits, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tied Frank Catalanotto’s franchise record with six.
Danny Jansen homered twice and drove in six runs. Matt Chapman and Teoscar Hernandez added solo home runs for the Blue Jays, who surpassed their previous mark of 24 runs in a single game set on June 26, 1976, against the Baltimore Orioles.
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The 28 runs are the most given up by a Red Sox team, eclipsing the previous mark in a 27-3 loss to Cleveland in 1923.
The Fenway Park faithful jeered throughout the night, except for a wedding proposal on the video board with the home team trailing 25-3. The woman’s “yes” was one of the few times fans found reason to applaud.
The Blue Jays began the day with a two-game lead over the Red Sox for the final wild-card spot in the American League. The Blue Jays improved to 7-3 against the Red Sox this season.
Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi (4-3) lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing a home run. He was charged with nine runs.
That started a 29-hit night for the Blue Jays, winners of four in a row, that featured nearly as much madness from the Red Sox.
It started with Tapia’s sprint home run.
With two outs in the third and the Blue Jays leading 6-0, Tapia lifted a two-out fly ball to center field against reliever Austin Davis.
Duran took a couple of steps back, then a couple inside, then raised his hands in confusion. Fans groaned as the ball landed on the warning track behind him.
Duran walked slowly to the ball as left fielder Alex Verdugo ran up, slid to pick it up and fired it into the infield. The relay home didn’t come close to catching Tapia, who picked up speed when he realized Durán had lost the ball.
The Red Sox defensive errors appeared again in the fifth. Trailing 15-3, Chapman lifted a two-out fly ball in the infield that fell between catcher Kevin Plawecki, reliever Kaleb Ort and third baseman Rafael Devers for a hit that allowed another run.
It drew more jeers and disdain from the Red Sox faithful who remained in their seats. Those who stayed tried to make the best of a dreary night at the ballpark.
Fans still managed to get to their feet for the traditional Fenway signing of Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” However, in an evening as memorable as it was forgettable, it ended with a handful of boos.
The only joy left? When Duran struck out to end the game.
The modern MLB record for runs in a game is 30, set by the Texas Rangers against the Baltimore Orioles on August 22, 2007. The all-time mark is 36 for the Chicago Colts against the Louisville Colonels in 1897 .
Kevin Gausman (7-7) scattered seven hits and three runs in five innings for the Blue Jays.