DUNEDIN – Boston’s designated hitter J.D. Martinez hit a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning, lifting the Red Sox to an 8-7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at the Jays’ spring training and temporary home field in Florida.
It was the 33-year-old Martinez’s 250th career homer and 12th this season. Bobby Dalbec hit a three-run homer for Boston, and Alex Verdugo had an RBI groundout in the ninth off Rafael Dolis (1-1) before Martinez’s long ball.
Phillips Valdez (2-0) pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win, and Matt Barnes struck out three in the ninth for his 10th save.
Bo Bichette had three hits for Toronto. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2-for-5 with two runs, and Randal Grichuk had two hits and two RBIs.
The Jays continue to play in Florida but will soon move north to play in Buffalo, NY as COVID-19 restrictions do not allow for regular travel from the USA to Canada.