Blue Jays Top Red Sox 7-4 in Spring Training Clash

On March 6, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays secured a 7-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox in a spring training game at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. The Blue Jays’ balanced attack, led by standout performances from Bo Bichette and a resilient pitching effort, overcame an early deficit to hand the Red Sox a defeat in their Grapefruit League matchup.

The game started with Boston jumping out to an early lead against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman. In the bottom of the first, Gausman struggled with his command, allowing three runs on five hits while recording just two outs before exiting. Trent Grisham sparked the Red Sox rally with a leadoff triple, followed by an Anthony Morales single that drove him in. Later in the inning, Nelly Taylor’s two-run double extended Boston’s advantage to 3-0, putting the Blue Jays in an immediate hole.

Toronto’s bats didn’t stay quiet for long. In the top of the second, the Blue Jays responded against Red Sox starter Richard Fitts. Bo Bichette, the star of the day, kickstarted the comeback with an RBI single, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Bichette, who finished 3-for-3 with an RBI, showcased his All-Star form early in the spring, reinforcing his importance to Toronto’s lineup. The Blue Jays added another run in the inning, narrowing the gap to 3-2 as Fitts labored through his outing.

Fitts, a highly touted prospect acquired by Boston in the Tyler O’Neill trade, struggled in his two innings of work, surrendering four runs on five hits with three walks and a strikeout. His difficulties continued into the third, where Toronto took the lead. Alan Roden’s two-run single off Fitts flipped the score to 4-3 in the Blue Jays’ favor, capitalizing on Boston’s early pitching woes.

The Blue Jays extended their lead in the fifth against Red Sox reliever Hunter Dobbins. Bichette’s hot bat set the stage, and Rafael Lantigua delivered a two-run double, pushing Toronto’s advantage to 6-3. Lantigua’s hit proved to be a pivotal moment, giving the Blue Jays breathing room they wouldn’t relinquish.

Boston mounted a brief comeback in the sixth, cutting the deficit to 6-4. Max McDowell’s RBI double off Toronto reliever Mason Fluharty brought the Red Sox within two, raising hopes of a rally. However, Toronto’s bullpen tightened up, with Fluharty and subsequent relievers limiting further damage.
The Blue Jays sealed the deal in the eighth, tacking on an insurance run to make it 7-4. While specific details of the scoring play are not fully detailed in available sources, posts on X confirm Toronto’s ability to pad their lead late, showcasing their depth and persistence.

For Toronto, Bichette’s three-hit performance was the headline, but contributions from Roden (2 RBIs) and Lantigua (2 RBIs) underscored the team’s offensive balance. Gausman’s rough start—three runs in 0.2 innings—was a blemish, but the bullpen, including Fluharty and others, stabilized the game, allowing just one run over the final eight frames.
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Boston’s bright spots included Grisham’s triple and Taylor’s two-run double, with McDowell adding a late RBI. However, the Red Sox couldn’t overcome Fitts’ shaky outing and missed opportunities later in the game, as noted in X posts lamenting their failure to rally despite chances.