Ryan Weber allows one run in six innings, striking out four with no walks, as Boston beats Toronto.
TORONTO — Red Sox Manager Alex Cora was hoping to get four or five decent innings out of spot starter Ryan Weber.
The unheralded right-hander gave Boston a whole lot more.
Weber pitched six impressive innings to earn his first career win as a starter, Steve Pearce homered and had three RBI and the Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 on Thursday.
“Just giving the team a chance to win and saving the bullpen was really my main goal,” Weber said. “I’m excited and proud of what I did.”
Weber’s only other big league win came with Atlanta in 2016.
Cora, whose team won a 13-inning game Wednesday and has a weekend series with AL West leaders Houston looming, was happy to give his overworked bullpen a breather.
“Those are the games that set you up for the rest of the week,” Cora said.
Weber (1-0) allowed one run on three hits, walked none and struck out four.
Weber, who had made three relief appearances for Boston this season, started for the first time since May 13,2017, when he pitched for Seattle against Toronto.
