Game #144 Toronto Blue Jays (65-79) @ Boston Red Sox (99-46) - game recap

Brock Holt hit a 3 run HR as the Red Six knocked off the Blue Jays 7-2

The next 6 games, the Blue Jays could have an impact on the AL East race. Heading into action Monday, the Red Sox held a comfortable 8 game lead for the AL East title. Two wins by the Blue Jays will delay the inevitable 100 win mark for the Red Sox. Jays killer Chris Sale was on the mound tonight, albeit for only an inning or two as he is just coming off the DL. Blue Jays ace Ryan Borucki was toeing the rubber for the Blue Jays tonight. Could the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights

• Chris Sale pitching line: 1IP 1H 0R 0BB 2K 26 pitches (14 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 6th as Devon Travis scored on a double steal. Jonathan Davis scored on the throwing error by Red Sox second baseman Ian Kinsler
• The next batter, Kevin Pillar singled home Davis
• The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Steve Pearce tripled, scoring Xander Bogaerts
• Three batters later, Brock Holt launched a three-run homer to right; also scoring Tzu-Wei Lin and Eduardo Nunez(
• Ryan Borucki pitching line: 6.1IP 3H 2R (both earned) 2BB 5K 86 pitches (52 for strikes)
• The Red Sox added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Andrew Benintendi doubled home Mookie Betts
• Four batters later, Ian Kinsler singled home Benintendi
• A batter later, JD Martinez scored on a wild pitch by Taylor Guerreri
• Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 2

My Take

• Ryan Borucki was pitching a gem allowing 2 runs on 4 hits and a pair of walks. He deserved a much better outcome but Ryan Tepera blew the one run lead and then some, walking the first batter he faced and subsequently giving up a 3 run blast two batters after that. I have really liked what Ruan Borucki has done in his half season in the bigs. He has looked composed, confident and downright ace-like facing all the top teams in what seems like every start. Sure, he had a rough start or two, but heck even Justin Verlander and Chris Sale (the likely pitchers who will win the AL Cy Young this year) have had rough starts this year. I see him being a big part of the Blue Jays rotation for years to come.
• Rough night for the bullpen, which gave up 6 runs (one of which was charged to starter Ryan Borucki) on 4 hits, a pair of walks and a wild pitch. 
• Jonathan Davis pinch ran for Kendrys Morales, stole a base on a double steal (he advanced to third on the play due to a throwing error), and scored a run
• Dwight Smith Jr. pinch hit for Teoscar Hernandez and flew out to left field
• Rowdy Tellez pinch hit  for Aledmys Diaz and flew out to right-center, making the final out of the game
• Danny Jansen was 1-3 at the plate. Defensively, he coughed up a costly wild pitch to put the game out of reach. He did a good job handling starter Ryan Borucki, who was stellar for 6.1 innings
• Taylor Guerreri faced one batter and threw a wild pitch to allow the 7th and final Red Sox run to score. He did eventually get Eduardo Nunez to fly out to right.
• Up next, the Blue Jays attempt to prevent the Red Sox from winning their 100th game of the season as Aaron Sanchez pitches against Blue Jays killer David Price