Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Game #146 Boston Red Sox (76-70) @ Toronto Blue Jays (57-89) - game recap

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was 1-3 and reached base on an error, scored once and drove in 3 more runs in an 8-0 shutout over the Red Sox

After finally getting the proverbial monkey off their backs and coming from behind to get their first win in September, the Blue Jays were looking for their first series win in a month (last one came during my birthday August 12-14 over Texas). Wilmer Font served as the opener with Trent Thornton expected to pitch the bulk of the innings  Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after a day off yesterday. Rowdy Tellez got the half day off, serving as the DH today with Brandon Drury at 1B. Teoscar Hernandez got the start in LF after sitting out yesterday. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:
  • Wilmer Font pitching line: 2IP 1H 0R 0BB 2K 23 pitches (19 for strikes); Trent Thornton threw the next 5 innings allowing just 1 walk and striking out 7
  • Bobby Poyner pitching line: 2IP 0H 0R 0BB 2K 35 pitches (25 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 4th as Cavan Biggio scored on a sac fly by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
  • A batter later, Rowdy Tellez smashed a solo blast to right-center
  • The Blue Jays added two more runs in the bottom of the 5th as Guerrero Jr. singled home Danny Jansen and Bo Bichette
  • Two batters later, Randal Grichuk doubled home Biggio and Guerrero Jr.
  • A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center also scoring Grichuk
  • Both HR tonight helped the MLB set a new single season record for most HR in a single season, surpassing the previous record of 6105 set in 2017
  • Final score: Blue Jays 8 Red Sox 0
My Take:
  • This might have been the best combined pitching performance of the season. Wilmer Font, Trent Thornton, Jason Adam and Ryan Tepera allowed just 4 Red Sox ALL NIGHT to reach base. Rafael Devers hit a 2-out single in the 1st (was stranded when JD Martinez flew out to right). Christian Vazquez reached on a throwing error by Bo Bichette in the 2nd and was subsequently thrown out trying to steal 3rd base. Trent Thornton walked Xander Bogaerts in the 3rd and then struck out Devers to end the inning. Brock Holt singled to open the 9th. Chris Owings and Devers both grounded into fielder's choices, beating the relay throw in the DP attempt. At one point, 16 straight Red Sox recorded outs. Just sheer dominance
  • The Blue Jays bats came to life with every Blue Jays starter but Jonathan Davis reaching base at least once. All but Davis and Brandon Drury had at least 1 hit in the game
  • Cavan Biggio (2-3, walk, 2 runs scored), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1-3, reached on error, 1 runs scored, 3RBI), Randal Grichuk (2-4, run scored, 2 RBI); Teoscar Hernandez, 2-4, including 2-run HR in the 5th), and Danny Jansen (2-4, run scored, threw out a base runner) all had great days at the plate 
  • Up next, the Blue Jays go for their first series sweep since July 29-31 against the KC Royals. Clay Buchholz tries to beat his former team. Jhoulys Chacin is penciled in as the opener. He was today too so who knows?