Monday, July 15, 2019

Game #95 Toronto Blue Jays (35-60) @ Boston Red Sox (51-43) - game recap

Billy McKinney hit a 2-run HR in his return to the Blue Jays lineup in a 10-8 loss to the Red Sox

After dropping two of three to the hated Yankees, aka possibly the new home of one or both of Marcus Stroman and Ken Giles, the Blue Jays headed to Boston to take on a Red Sox team battling for a wild card spot. The Blue Jays made a roster move, sending Rowdy Tellez to Buffalo to work on his swing and get some regular playing time. Billy McKinney, who was in the lineup in the 8th hole and in RF tonight, was recalled. Trent Thornton made his first start of the second half. He tossed 6 shutout innings of three-hit ball his last time out.  Vlad got a complete day off for a bit of a mental break. He struggled like the rest of the Blue Jays in the series vs. the Yankees. Could the Blue Jays beat the Red Sox? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • The Red Sox opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Andrew Benintending singled home Mookie Betts
  • A batter later, Michael Chavis crushed a grand slam over the green monster in dead center also scoring Xander Bogaerts, JD Martinez and Benintendi
  • The Blue Jays got a pair back as call-up Billy McKinney slammed a 2-run jack into the bullpen in straightaway center also scoring Danny Jansen
  • Trent Thornton pitching line: 1.1IP 5H 5R (all earned) 3BB 0K 48 pitches (26 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jay's got one back in the top of the 3rd as Randal Grichuk doubled home Freddy Galvis
  • A batter later, Cavan Biggio scored on a ground out by Justin Smoak
  • The Red Sox added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Rafael Devers singled scoring Brock Holt and Sandy Leon
  • A batter later, Bogaerts singled home Betts
  • Two batters later, Benintendi doubled scoring Bogaerts and Devers
  • Rick Porcello pitching line: 6IP 8H 4R (all earned) 0BB 2K 112 pitches (7 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 8th as Jansen singled home Smoak
  • Two batters later, Jansen scored on a sac fly by Brandon Drury
  • Two batters later, Galvis singled scoring McKinney and Eric Sogard
  • Brandon Workman pitched a perfect 9th for his 4th save of the season.
  • Final score: Red Sox 10 Blue Jays 8
My Take:
  • Welp, Trent Thornton definitely did not have his best stuff working tonight. He was lit up for five runs on five hits while walking three and striking out none over an inning and a third. Thornton could be shut down early this season as he is nearing the number of pitches he threw last season.
  • As has been the case several times this season, the Blue Jays rallied late and fell short. This time, they scored four times in the 8th and went quietly in the 9th
  • Billy McKinney had a strong night at the plate with a 2-4 effort, 2 runs scored and 2 RBI in his return to Toronto
  • Eric Sogard continued to give scouts reasons to trade for him, going 3-5, including a beauty bunt that led directly to 2 runs after Rafael Devers threw the ball away
  • Freddy Galvis (2-5, 1 run scored, 2RBI) and Randal Grichuk (2-4 1RBI) and Danny Jansen (1-4, a run scored and 2RBI) also had strong nights at the plate
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series as Andrew Cashman makes his Red Sox debut. The Blue Jays have a scheduled bullpen day with SRF or Jacob Waguespack likely to be recalled for the spot start.