Game #147 Boston Red Sox (77-70) @ Toronto Blue Jays (57-90) - game recap

Cavan Biggio was 3-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI in a losing effort as the Red Sox defeated the Blue Jays 7-4

After 2 straight wins over the soon to be eliminated Boston Red Sox, the Blue Jays were going for the series sweep and to further push Boston to the brink of elimination. Elvis Luciano was reinstated off the 60 day IL (he needs 18 more days on the active roster. No idea if he's physically ready to pitch). To make room, the Blue Jays released lefty Clayton Richard, who finished his time with the Blue Jays with a 1-5 record with a 5.96 ERA in 10 starts. A few changes to the lineup for tonight. Rowdy Tellez got the half day off serving as the DH tonight with Justin Smoak at 1B. Reese McGuire was back behind the plate after sitting out yesterday. Randal Grichuk slid over to center field between Derek Fisher and Billy McKinney in right. Could the Blue Jays make it three in a row on the second to last home stand? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

• The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Marco Hernandez doubled home JD Martinez and Mitch Moreland 
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 3rd as Martinez doubled scoring Rafael Devers
• Jhoulys Chacin pitching line: 2.2IP  2H 0R 2BB 3K 48 pitches (26 for strikes)\
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 4th as Juan Cenento singled scoring Jackie Bradley Jr..
• Clay Buchholz pitching line: 4IP 7H 4R 1BB 4K 80 pitches (53 for strikes)
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 5th as Cavan Biggio tripled home Bo Bichette
• A batter later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Biggio
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 7th as Brock Holt singled home Mookie Betts
• A batter later, Xander Bogaerts singled scoring Holt
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 8th on a bases loaded walk by Derek Fisher that forced in Justin Smoak
• The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 9th as Holt singled home Betts
• The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Biggio scored on a sac fly by Rowdy Tellez
• Brandon Workman got the final 4 outs for his 12th save of the season
• Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 4

My Take:

• Clay Buchholz battled through 4 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. The veteran righty, who likely won't be with the Blue Jays next year, basically has 2 or 3 more starts to showcase himself for potential suitors in the off-season.
• A comedy of errors led to the Red Sox scoring three late runs and that was the difference in the game. First, Anthony Alford mishandled a relatively soft single and allowed Brock Holt to advance to second and a run to score. Then Reese McGuire threw the ball into center field attempting a snap throw to pick off Holt, who advanced to third and Xander Bogaerts knocked him in with a single. In the 9th, Mookie Betts led off with a sharp line drive that Derek Fisher took a horrible approach to. I know it's late in the season and concentration levels may not be great, but attention to detail still matters. Once Lourdes Gurriel returns, most likely on the weekend or for sure to start the final road trip next week, playing time should be allocated to performance. Players need to know they won't play if they play poorly
• The Blue Jays had a chance to take the lead in the 8th, but could only manage one run on a four pitch walk. Bo Bichette missed a hanging pitch and then flew out to right on the next pitch. The Blue Jays also had runners on 1st and 2nd in the 2nd and 3rd innings and failed to capitalize
• Cavan Biggio had a huge day at the plate with a 3-4 effort, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI and he also drew a walk
• Bichette also got on base multiple times, doubling in the 3rd and drawing a walk in the 5th. He scored the Blue Jays 1st run.
• Up next, the Blue Jays open up a weekend series vs the Yankees. JA Happ is returning to NY to have a sore biceps muscle examined and may not pitch in either of the back-to-back weekend series against the Blue Jays. The Yankees roster is about to get a lot scarier with the expected returns next week of slugger Giancarlo Stanton and ace/flamethrower Luis Severino. Anthony Kay will try to follow up a strong first career start against Blue Jays killer Masahiro Tanaka