BOSTON -- As all eyes were on right-hander Marco Estrada, who took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, Red Sox left fielder Chris Young broke up the suspense when he hit a rocket over the Green Monster during Boston's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.
"Obviously, you notice that it's a no-hitter going on, so your pride tells you that you want to be the one to get it done if that opportunity comes, and that's what I was trying to do," Young said.
Even though he's a seasoned veteran, the blast that spoiled the no-hitter was Young's first home run at Fenway Park as a member of the Red Sox since joining the team in December on a two-year, $13 million contract.
Young added a single, his 1,000th career hit, into left field during Boston's rally in the ninth inning. He went 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI.
The left fielder is going to get a lot more playing time in the next few weeks as Blake Swihart was placed on the 15-day disabled list early Sunday morning. Young said he's happy to receive any opportunity to step onto the field, especially as a regular starter.
"When you're not starting, you find yourself trying to play manager in your head," Young said. "You try to see what situation's going to come up for you to bat, trying to get loose throughout the game. It could get tough at times."
A quirky statistic about Young, 32, is how many of his recent hits have been against righties when he's known to have been most successful at the plate against lefties.
"It was very good," Red Sox manager John Farrell said of Young's home run. "All four home runs he's hit this year have come against right-handers, which is the reverse of where his power numbers have come from. To his credit, he's stayed ready when he isn't having regular at-bats. We are able to turn to a quality big leaguer."
Entering Sunday, Young was batting .414 against left-handers and .200 against right-handers. He said he doesn't make a big deal about the disparity.
"I'm aware of it, but I think it's just coincidence," he said. "If I had all four [hits] off of lefties, I would still say it's just coincidence."