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Blue Jays fall short against Red Sox 4-2

BOSTON (AP) - The Toronto Blue Jays got their first look at who left them after last season's magical run to the playoffs.

David Price rebounded from a rough start in Boston's home opener by throwing seven solid innings to lead the Red Sox past the Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday.

"We've been struggling offensively and then you run into Price today," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.

"We barreled some balls early and then he settled in and does what he does best - seven strong innings. So, yeah, he's not the guy you necessarily measure things against because he's just so good. We're due to break out."

The Blue Jays entered the day hitting just .194 on the road. They had only seven hits and struck out 12 times.

Price (2-0) gave up two runs and six hits, struck out nine and didn't allow a walk. He finished by striking out the side.

Signed to a $217 million, seven-year deal during free agency, the left-hander had his best start for Boston.

In his Fenway Park debut with the Red Sox on Monday, he gave up five runs in five innings after allowing two in six at Cleveland on opening day.

The 30-year-old went 9-1 for the Blue Jays last year after he was acquired in a trade from Detroit, helping them earn their first playoff appearance since 1993.

Xander Bogaerts hit a three-run homer for Boston, which posted its third straight win. The Red Sox have defeated the defending AL East champs four times in five meetings.

Craig Kimbrel struck out the side in the ninth for his fourth save.

Marco Estrada (1-1) was charged with four runs and eight hits over six innings.

Estrada's outing began well until he was hit on the left leg by Jackie Bradley Jr.'s hard grounder leading off the third. After a pop out, four of the next five batters got hits and the Red Sox jumped ahead with four runs.

"Just one inning got away from me. I got hit and my calf kind of tightened up on me, couldn't really finish pitches," Estrada said.

"I felt like I was kind of running forward, trying to land or whatever, but other than that thought I threw the ball well. Calf is still pretty tight, but felt better, I guess, as the game went on."

Bogaerts pushed Boston ahead 3-1 with his first homer, a line drive into the Green Monster seats. Travis Shaw added an RBI single.

Jose Bautista's RBI double gave the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead in the first after Josh Donaldson tripled into the center-field triangle area. Edwin Encarnacion added a run-scoring double in the fourth.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Estrada also stumbled off the mound and walked back slowly when he handled Bradley's grounder in the fourth.

Red Sox: Manager John Farrell said LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, on the DL after injuring his right knee in spring training, will pitch a simulated game Monday at the team's spring training complex in Fort Myers, Florida. ... RHP Carson Smith (strained flexor muscle) threw BP Saturday, also in Fort Myers.

K'S ADDING UP

The Blue Jays have fanned 124 times in 12 games.

NICE START

Bautista has reached safely in all 12 games, getting on in 24 of 49 plate appearances.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (0-0, 1.38 ERA) hopes for better run support on Sunday. He's received just two runs in each of his first two starts while holding opponents to two and one, respectively.

Red Sox: Knuckleballer Steven Wright (0-1, 1.35) is slated to go. He held the Blue Jays to two runs - one earned - in his first start of the season Sunday.

Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista is tagged out at third by Boston Red Sox third baseman Travis Shaw (47) as third base umpire Ted Barrett looks in for the call during the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. The call was challenged, but not reversed. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts, center, celebrates with David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia after hitting a three-run home run scoring Pedroia and Jackie Bradley Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox's Hanley Ramirez avoids the tag from Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin (55) as he scores on an RBI-single by Travis Shaw during the third inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Boston Red Sox's Xander Bogaerts is congratulated at the dugout after hitting a three-run home run scoring Dustin Pedroia and Jackie Bradley Jr. during the third inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays' Jose Bautista is tagged out at third by Boston Red Sox third baseman Travis Shaw (47) as third base umpire Ted Barrett looks in for the call during the first inning of a baseball game at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. The call was challenged, but not reversed. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Marco Estrada throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Saturday, April 16, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Mary Schwalm) The Associated Press
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