Red Sox Notes: Boston’s Defense Responds After Disastrous Doubleheader

The Boston Red Sox completely crumbled defensively during Monday's doubleheader, committing six total errors against the Toronto Blue Jays.

On Tuesday, Boston flipped the script in a much-needed 6-3 win.

The Red Sox played a strong game defensively without an error and prevented several runs on well-executed reads from the outfield. Boston threw out three runners, including two at home plate, for Toronto. Two of those plays came from Jarren Duran, who also led off the game with a home run for the Red Sox. Boston's sparkplug came up clutch once again to get the ballclub rolling.

"He had a great game, not only offensively but defensively," Cora said. "(The relay), that kind of changed the game. The throw to second to get (Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), then the 8-6-2 to get the guy at the plate. Like I've been saying all along, he's one of the best players in the big leagues, man. Every night, you're in awe of the things that he's doing. We act surprised, but we should expect this."

After Trevor Story's early-season injury, the Red Sox had an epidemic of poor defense and unearned runs for the first month of 2024. A strain of those struggles returned in recent games. Boston had to combat that on Tuesday night and did so to avoid any more regression in the playoff race.

"We talked about the defense today with the guys," Cora said. "We have to be precise. We have to be better. We have conversations. It's not like it's lack of effort. Like we're trying to do too much. (Wilyer Abreu) did an outstanding job getting behind that ball, throwing the ball on the money. Jarren playing the ball perfectly off the wall and Rafaela with the cannon to the plate. It was a good one."

"I'm very proud of this outfield," Duran told reporters, per NESN's postgame coverage. "We're working our butts off."

Here are more notes from Tuesday's Blue Jays-Red Sox game:

-- Jarren Duran is the first player in MLB history to tally 10 or more triples, 20 or more home runs, 30 or more stolen bases and 40 or more doubles, per Red Sox senior manager of media relations and baseball information J.P. Long.

-- The Red Sox have scored six or more runs in a game 18 times since the All-Star break with an 11-7 record in those games. That's the top total in the American League while the Kansas City Royals have the most wins in that span with 15.

-- Kenley Jansen pitched for the first time in a week. In a non-save situation, the Red Sox closer allowed a run before preserving the win.

"It's tough, you've got to find your adrenaline," Jansen told Jahmai Webster on NESN's postgame coverage. "Every win counts right now. No excuses."

-- Boston had players arrive late on Tuesday after the doubleheader on Monday, as referenced by MassLive's Chris Cotillo. That paid off with a winning effort.

"We were in a stretch, a tough one for us," Cora said. "Games and innings and traveling. We joke around to do it that way. I think it's more about taking care of them. There's nothing wrong with them spending time with their families. Having lunch somewhere instead of showing up here at 1 (p.m.) and be here the whole day. We're late in August. They know what they have to do for their routines. It's likes a good change of pace."

"I think it was a great call by AC to shut that door until 4 p.m. today," Jansen said. "We're looking for another one tomorrow."

-- Boston snapped a four-game losing streak and avoided the club's first five-game losing streak of the season.

-- If the Minnesota Twins lose to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, the Red Sox will be four games out of the final American League playoff spot.

-- The Red Sox and Blue Jays continue their series at Fenway Park on Wednesday night. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.