Red Sox's Christian Vazquez: Two hits in season debut
Vazquez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored in Friday night's 5-3 win over the Blue Jays.
Vazquez made an immediate impact for Boston, both as a hitter and as a catcher. Against a powerful Toronto lineup, he guided Rick Porcello through 6.1 innings, including a stretch in which the right-hander retired 13 straight. Vazquez also showed off his arm, picking off Troy Tulowitzki at first base in the second inning when the Blue Jays nicked Porcello for a run after Boston had taken an early lead. His bat won't consistently impact games as it did Friday, but all those defensive skills -- controlling the running game, blocking pitches, game calling -- will improve Boston's starters. That's why Boston optioned Blake Swihart, a much better hitter than Vazquez, to Triple-A Pawtucket.
