Blue Jays rally falls short in 11-10 Grapefruit League loss to Red Sox

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Eric Lauer pitches in 1st inning spring training action against the Philadelphia Phillies in Dunedin, Fla. on Saturday Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

FORT MYERS — The Toronto Blue Jays fell 11-10 to the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, scoring three times in the ninth before coming up short in their second Grapefruit League game of the spring.

The Blue Jays (1-1) scored four runs in the first inning on RBI hits from designated hitter Eloy Jiménez, second baseman Leo Jiménez and shortstop Arjun Nimmala, but Boston (2-0) answered with four of its own in the bottom half.

Toronto later built a 7-4 lead in the sixth on Eloy Jiménez’s solo homer and shortstop Josh Kasevich’s two-run shot before Boston erupted for six in the bottom of the inning.

The Red Sox extended the lead to 11-7 before Toronto made things interesting with three runs in the ninth on RBI doubles from Tucker Toman and Yohendrick Pinango, as well as an RBI single from Robert Brooks. Reliever Jay Allmer struck out Sean Keys to end the rally.

Jays starter Fernando Perez, a 22-year-old prospect, allowed four runs while recording just two outs, while Yariel Rodríguez was charged with six in two-thirds of an inning.

The Red Sox collected 15 hits from 11 different players, with Braiden Ward, Ceddanne Rafaela and Nate Eaton driving in two runs apiece.

The Blue Jays’ spring training schedule continues Monday when they host the New York Mets in Dunedin, Fla.

Toronto opens the regular season at Rogers Centre on March 27 against the visiting Athletics.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press