Game #47 Boston Red Sox (25-22) @ Toronto Blue Jays (19-28) - game recap

Xander Bogaerts was 3-5 with 3 runs scored and 3RBI as the Red Sox routed the Blue Jays 12-2

The Blue Jays opened a four game series with the defending world series champs, Boston Red Sox  with a rare Monday matinee on Victoria Day. No Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the lineup to start this one as he was given a complete day off. Eric Sogard was also out of the lineup with a sprained thumb. In a risky move, both catchers were in the line up (Luke Maile was behind the plate and Danny Jansen served as the DH. Could the Blue Jays pull it off against Blue Jays killer David Price? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Rafael Devers singled home Mitch Moreland
• A batter later, Xander Bogaerts scored on a wild throw by Luke Maile, who was attempting to nail Devers at 2nd base
• The Blue Jays tied the game in the bottom of the 2nd as Maile hit a 2-run bomb to left-center also scoring Billy McKinney
• The Red Sox took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Bogaerts singled scoring Mookie Betts and Moreland
• A batter later, Michael Chavis smacked a 2-run blast to left-center also scoring Devers
• Edwin Jackson pitching line: 5IP 7H 6R (5 earned) 1BB 4K 88 pitches (56 for strikes)
• David Price pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 0BB 4K 67 pitches (48 for strikes)
• The Red Sox added a pair of runs in the top of the 6th on an opposite field 2-run shot to left center also scoring Steve Pearce
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 7th as Devers singled home Moreland
• Two batters later, Devers scored on a sac fly by Pearce
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 9th as Bogaerts launched a solo shot into the second deck in left
• The next batter, Devers, cracked a no-doubter to the second deck in right
• Final score: Red Sox 12 Blue Jays 2

My Take:

• Not a great start by Edwin Jackson, who was lit up to the tune of 6 runs on 7 hits and a walk over 5 innings. You kind of knew that he wouldn't be pitching that deep in the ball game when it took him twenty-four pitches to get through the 1st inning and 63 pitches after 3 innings. I'd still give the veteran the benefit of the doubt on this one and allow him at least another start.
• After getting to David Price in the first 2 innings with a pair of runs on 3 hits and a fielding error, the Blue Jays had exactly 1 base runner after the 2nd inning, a leadoff walk to Freddy Galvis to start the 7th (Galvis would advance to 2nd on a wild pitch and be stranded there). Too many strikeouts in this one, with ten Blue Jays batters striking out. The Blue Jays had been really good with plate discipline the past few weeks, not so much today
• I want to address the decision to bench Vladimir Guerrero Jr. today. Rightfully, fans gave manager Charlie Montoyo a lot of flak for sitting Guerrero Jr. completely when he could have opted to use Guerrero Jr. as the DH. Also, it's a very risky move to put both catchers in the lineup (Danny Jansen served as the DH). What would have happened if Jansen had been hit by a pitch or injured something running the bases and Maile had gotten hurt? Evidently, Richard Urena was the designated emergency catcher if both Maile and Jansen had gotten hurt. The more sensible thing to do would be to play your blue chip prospect, who is arguably the best hitter on your team and give the fans something to cheer about.
• Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series tomorrow as ace Marcus Stroman takes the ball. The Red Sox will counter with lefty Eduardo Rodriguez