The Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-0 in Thursday afternoon's series finale, snapping their season-high five-game losing streak. All-Star first baseman Willson Contreras got the scoring started for the Red Sox with an RBI double in the first inning off future first-ballot Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. With the double, Contreras joined an illustrious list of franchise legends who have arrived in Boston and immediately performed. 

As noted by Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald, with his first-inning double, Contreras became the eighth player to record 24 or more home runs and 19 or more doubles in their first 111 games in a Red Sox uniform. Contreras joins JD Martinez, Hall of Famer David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, Carl Everett, George Scott, Tony Conigliaro and Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx as the players to accomplish the feat. 

Contreas has proven to be one of the best acquisitions of the offseason after being acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Hunter Dobbins and a pair of pitching prospects, Yohiker Fajardo and Blake Aita. In 111 games, the 34-year-old is having one of the best seasons of his now 11-year career, hitting .280/.389/.529/.918 with a career-high 24 home runs and 72 RBI en route to the third All-Star appearance of his career. 

Not only has Contreras been the best and most consistent hitter in a Boston lineup that has, at times, been among the most underwhelming in baseball, but he, alongside fellow former Cardinal Sonny Gray, has taken on a major leadership role with the team, filling the void left behind by Alex Bregman. 

Contreras plays the game with a high level of intensity and passion, unafraid to stir the pot when he feels the young Boston dugout is in need of a spark. That type of intensity goes a long way in a market like Boston, and it has made Contreras an overnight fan favorite.

Clearly, Contreras has felt the same connection with the city as the fans have for him, as he told reporters, including Steve Perrault of the 'Section 10' Podcast, that he would love to finish his career with the Red Sox during his All-Star week media availability.

After snapping their season-high five-game losing streak on Thursday afternoon, the Red Sox will continue on their seven-game road trip, heading to Pittsburgh for a three-game weekend set with the Pirates. Jake Bennett (7-5, 3.17 ERA) will get the start for Boston in Friday's series opener opposite fellow rookie Bubba Chandler (5-8, 4.26 ERA) for Pittsburgh. First pitch from PNC Park is set for 6:40 p.m. ET.