The box score will tell you Boston jumped early with a four-run first, then later exploded for six runs in the sixth.<\/p>\n
But the real story was how the lineup – one Alex Cora hinted could resemble the Opening Day group – kept answering every punch Toronto threw.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI think that\u2019s what we\u2019re going to do, that first inning,\u201d Cora told the media postgame. \u201cWe\u2019re going to move the ball around, we\u2019re going to put the ball in play, we\u2019re going to hit the ball hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
That approach showed up immediately after the Blue Jays tagged Brayan Bello for four runs in the top of the first. Instead of letting the inning spiral, Boston responded right away, setting the tone for an afternoon where offense came in waves.<\/p>\n
![\"Feb](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/ada3feff88296f494f058d47be950a2a.jpeg\"\/)
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Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora (13) looks on during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. (Kim Klement Neitzel\/Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
Jarren Duran, hitting third in what might be a preview of his regular-season role, looked every bit the table-setter with two doubles and loud contact throughout. Nate Eaton matched him with a perfect 3 for 3 day, including a pair of doubles that helped spark the decisive sixth-inning rally when 11 Red Sox came to the plate.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI know it\u2019s early but [Duran] seems like a different hitter,\u201d said Cora. \u201cHitting the ball really hard to the pull side, getting to some pitches that last year he didn\u2019t get, and I\u2019m expecting a lot of big things from him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Boston\u2019s bullpen quietly did its job behind the offensive fireworks. Garrett Whitlock, Greg Weissert, and Jovani Moran each spun scoreless innings, with Whitlock needing just 10 pitches – seven for strikes – in a crisp first outing of the spring.<\/p>\n
Of course, it wouldn\u2019t be a true Grapefruit League thriller without a little late drama.<\/p>\n
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Toronto pushed across three runs in the ninth to make things uncomfortable before Boston finally slammed the door, bringing an entertaining – and unexpectedly tense – afternoon to a close.<\/p>\n
If the first couple days of camp are any indication, this lineup looks intent on making noise early, even if the calendar still says February.<\/p>\n
![\"Feb](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/8f7d1b93e2ab54db4de026afb4df8170.jpeg\"\/)
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Feb 22, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) hits a double during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at JetBlue Park at Fenway South. (Kim Klement Neitzel\/Imagn Images)<\/p>\n
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