Blue Jays break run, hit records in rout of Red Sox

The Toronto Blue Jays returned from the All-Star break with a bang Friday night.

A record-breaking one at that.

The Jays made franchise history and finished two runs shy of the modern era Major League record in a 28-5 rout of the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

It breaks the previous team record from June 26, 1978, when the Blue Jays scored 24 runs in a rout of the Baltimore Orioles.

The modern era Major League record for runs in a game is 30, set by the Texas Rangers in a win 30-3 over the Orioles on Aug. 22, 2007.

They finished with a franchise-high 29 hits while seven of their nine starters had two RBIs or more. Danny Jansen and Raimel Tapia tallied six apiece, including an inside-the-park grand slam in the third inning that made the score 10-0 for Toronto. 

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. picked up six hits in the win, matching Frank Catalanotto's team record from 2004.

The Jays scored 11 runs in the fifth inning, which ties a team record. The Blue Jays' total of 28 runs is also the most scored against the Red Sox in history, breaking a near 100-year-old record as the team also allowed 27 runs in 1923 against Cleveland.

Toronto began the second half Friday two games ahead of Boston at 50-43, occupying the final wild card spot in the American League. The two teams will continue their series from Fenway Park Saturday with Alek Manoah getting the ball for the Jays against Kutter Crawford.