Thursday, April 11, 2019

Game #13 Toronto Blue Jays (4-9) @ Boston Red Sox (4-9) - game recap

Freddy Galvis was 4-4 at the plate, including a go-ahead solo HR in the top of the 8th in a losing effort, as the Red Sox walked off the Blue Jays 7-6

The Red Sox and Blue Jays completed their mini two game series after a rare off day between games in the event that there had been increment weather Tuesday. After a strong game Tuesday that saw the Blue Jays knock around Chris Salre, the Blue Jays were up against Nathan Eovaldi, acquired at last years's trade deadline and a key contributor to the Red Sox winning last year's World Series, The last time the Blue Jays swept the Red Sox in a series was June 12-14. Justin Smoak had 4 hits that series. Speaking of Smoak, he and Danny Jansen returned to the lineup after missing the last game with neck stiffness. Aaron Sanchez was on the mound looking to lead his team to victory. Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Justin Smoak smoked a three run bomb to straightaway center scoring Socrates Brito and Freddy Galvis
  • Two batters later, Rowdy Tellez blasted a 2-run shot to right, also scoring Randal Grichuk
  • The Red Sox got one back in the bottom half of the inning as JD Martinez doubled scoring Mookie Betts
  • Two batters later, Rafael Devers doubled home Martinez
  • A better later, Dustin Pedroia singled home Devers
  • The Red Sox got with in one in the bottom of the 5th as Xander Bogaerts scored on a wild pitch
  • Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 5IP 6H 5R (all earned) 4BB 4K 89 pitches (51 for strikes)
  • Aaron Sanchez pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (1 earned) 4BB 5K 100 pitches (61 for strikes)
  • The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the 7th as Mitch Moreland smacked a solo HR to right-center
  • The Blue Jays retook the lead in the top of the 8th as Galvis launched a solo shot over the wall in right
  • The Red Sox tied it in the bottom of the 9th as Moreland doubled scoring Betts
  • Three batters later, Devers smacked a bouncer through the infield that plated Eduardo Nunez
  • Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 6
My Take: 
  • You got to feel for Aaron Sanchez. It wasn't his best night as he allowed 4 runs on 5 hits and walked four batters. However, only one of the runs was earned due to a fielding error by Grichuk and a wild pitch charged to Danny Jansen. Grichuk helped end Sanchez's night on a positive by throwing out Rafael Devers who was trying to score on a short sac fly.
  • Continue to be really impressed by Freddy Galvis, The Blue Jays shortstop was 4-4 with a pair of runs scored, including a big go-ahead solo shot in the top of the 8th to give his team a chance to sweep the Red Sox 
  • Rough night for Danny Jansen. He gave up three wild pitches and he was hit by a pitch.
  • Ken Giles blown save ends a streak of 34 straight saves dating back to September 2017. The last time Giles blew a save opportunity was September 17th vs. the Oakland A's. Tonight, he was missing his spots and the Red Sox weren't biting on balls close but out of the strike zone
  • You have to wonder if the Blue Jays regret the trade of Kevin Pillar. Socrates Brito remains hitless on the season.
  • Up  next, the Blue Jays return home to begin a a quick three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays before hitting the road again. This is going to be an interesting series. The Blue Jays have struggled mightily in the last couple of years vs. the Rays. However, Charlie Montoyo was the Rays bench coach from 2016-2018, so he knows how the Rays play. Will he out-Ray the Rays? Trent Thornton gets the start and will be looking to build on his strong start to the season, having set the Blue Jays rookie record by striking out 15 batters in his first two starts. He'll be in tough against Ryne Stanek, who unlike last season is stretched out as a starter.