Clement, Valenzuela hit homers to power Blue Jays to 8-1 rout of Red Sox

“I think starting pitching has been good,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “I think that we’re playing better defence and guys are getting some timely hits.”

Willson Contreras hit a solo homer for the Red Sox (12-19), who dropped the rubber match of the three-game series.

Toronto starter Eric Lauer was pulled after loading the bases with one out in the fifth inning. Braydon Fisher needed two pitches to escape the jam with a double play.

The victory left Toronto with a 14-16 record. The Blue Jays had an identical record after 30 games last season and went on to win the American League title.

Schneider has been forced to pivot in recent weeks with a number of new additions. Players like Valenzuela, Patrick Corbin, Lenyn Sosa and Joe Mantiply are just some of the athletes who were signed, acquired or called up to help the Blue Jays as the injured list grew longer.

“We’re playing good team ball and everything’s kind of coming together,” Lauer said. “It’s one of those things where it’s early on in the season and things (weren’t) going right.

“So I think now we’re starting to see everybody kind of click together. It’s a good feeling.”

In the mid-week matinee, Kazuma Okamoto had a two-run single in Toronto’s three-run third inning and Clement hit a two-run shot in the fourth.

Springer received a standing ovation from the sellout crowd of 41,314 when he came on an inning later for recent call-up Yohendrick Pinango.

“He was ready to go and it was nice to have him back,” Schneider said.

Springer, who missed 15 games due to a fractured toe, hit a first-pitch single to centre field to bring home Guerrero.

Springer had a resurgent year last season and helped anchor Toronto’s run to Game 7 of the World Series. He hit 32 homers in the regular season and delivered the go-ahead homer in Toronto’s Game 7 win over the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS.

The Blue Jays designated utilityman Eloy Jimenez for assignment.

Lauer had recently moved to the bullpen from the starting rotation. He was given the start after Max Scherzer (ankle, forearm) was forced to the IL.

The left-hander allowed one earned run, five hits and a walk over a 68-pitch outing. Valenzuela added an insurance run in the eighth inning with a solo shot.

The Blue Jays will hit the road for Thursday’s opener of a four-game series against the Minnesota Twins. That will be followed by a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 29, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Clement, Valenzuela hit homers to power Blue Jays to 8-1 rout of Red Sox

What's Trending