Blue Jays: Charlie Montoyo outmanages Puerto Rican countryman

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: (L-R) Manager Charlie Montoyo of the Toronto Blue Jays greets manager Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox during the home opener at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 09: (L-R) Manager Charlie Montoyo of the Toronto Blue Jays greets manager Alex Cora of the Boston Red Sox during the home opener at Fenway Park on April 09, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo not only made history yesterday, but he also outmanaged his Puerto Rican countryman Alex Cora leading his squad a 7-5 victory over the Red Sox.

The Tuesday afternoon contest marked the first time in MLB history that both opposing managers hailed from Puerto Rico. The skippers call Florida, Puerto Rico and Caguas, Puerto Rico their respective hometowns.

With both teams sputtering out of the gate, something had to give when Chris Sale and Matt Shoemaker toed the rubber yesterday. However, it was the Blue Jays manager who stole the show and completely outmanaged his counterpart employing creativity and some timely decisions.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1115686205364953088

Montoyo employed a successful two-strike sacrifice bunt, a perfectly executed hit and run and a steal of home. Along with the Lourdes Gurriel Jr. swipe of home, two other players also stole bags in the contest. The team effectively utilized small ball to take the first game of their series with the defending World Champions.

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It was a good showing for the rookie manager on a day when Puerto Rico was watching with a vested interest in their two pride and joys. Hopefully, the win can finally kickstart the Jays offence and give the youngsters something some confidence with the twig moving forward.

Montoyo has had a rough go of it early on, often handcuffed by the Jays anemic offence, however, yesterday we finally were able to get a taste of some of the creativity that the new skipper will utilize in 2019.

The teams will have on off day today before locking horns in the series finale on Thursday when Aaron Sanchez battles Nathan Eovaldi. With yesterdays victory, the Jays climbed one-game ahead of the Red Sox who are surprisingly nestled in the AL East basement.

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The Blue Jays are a work in progress but yesterday in the spotlight, Montoyo and company looked like seasoned vets.