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Boyd optioned following struggles vs. Boston

Blue Jays lefty doesn't record an out in 2nd big league start

TORONTO -- Matt Boyd's first stint in the Major Leagues came to a sudden halt when he allowed all seven Red Sox batters he faced on Thursday night to reach base.

Boyd surrendered seven runs on six hits and a walk before he was pulled with nobody out in the first inning. Toronto went on to lose the game, 12-6, and afterward the rookie left-hander was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo, while right-hander Todd Redmond was designated for assignment. The Blue Jays brought up left-hander Felix Doubront and right-hander Ryan Tepera from Buffalo on Friday.

The seven earned runs without recording an out are tied for the third most by a starter in Major League history. It also marked the first time in franchise history Toronto surrendered seven runs in the first inning before recording an out.

"The good news is that I get to put on a uniform tomorrow," Boyd said. "Baseball doesn't define who I am. It's my living, it's the game I play and I have another day. I'm grateful for another day to go out there, bounce back and go win tomorrow."

Boyd began his outing by allowing three consecutive singles. David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez then issued the big blows with back-to-back home runs as Boston jumped out to the early 5-0 lead.

Video: BOS@TOR: Ortiz crushes a three-run homer in the 1st

Toronto manager John Gibbons wanted to avoid going to the bullpen in the first inning so he tried to give Boyd another opportunity to bounce back. That backfired when Pablo Sandoval singled and Mike Napoli walked to put runners at first and second.

Boyd was then pulled from the game after throwing 28 pitches. Toronto became the first team to allow seven runs before recording an out since the Angels on July 17, 2011, at Oakland. The only other Blue Jays starter to face seven batters without getting an out was Dave Stieb on June 25, 1990, against the Red Sox.

All in all it was a day to forget for Boyd, and now the focus will be on making sure he's able to move beyond this one outing. That's something Boyd insisted won't be a problem as he goes back to work in Buffalo.

"Without a doubt," said Boyd, who has a sparkling 1.26 ERA in 14 Minor League starts this year. He is the Blue Jays' 19th-ranked prospect.

"Just learn from it. Count on me learning from this and being better from this. It won't happen again."

The Blue Jays needed to add a couple of arms, as they had to use all seven of their relievers on Thursday night. Doubront has spent all of 2015 with Buffalo, posting a 1-3 record with a 2.44 ERA over nine starts while allowing just 36 hits over 48 innings for a .205 opponents' average. Tepera is back for a second turn with Toronto, having appeared in 12 games and posting a 2.77 ERA in 13 innings for the Blue Jays. He has allowed just one run over 20 1/3 relief innings while with Buffalo.

Gregor Chisholm is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, North of the Border, follow him on Twitter @gregorMLB and Facebook, and listen to his podcast.
Read More: Toronto Blue Jays, Matt Boyd, Todd Redmond