After dropping 2 of 3 in Atlanta, the Blue Jays travelled north to Boston, their last stop on a ridiculously long four-city 14 game road trip (two of the games for all intents and purposes was a home game in Washington as the Blue Jays had last AB) that started in Tampa Bay, then went to Washington, then was supposed to go to Philly but was wiped out by COVID-19, then went to Atlanta and finally Boston. The Blue Jays won their only exhibition game in Boston two weeks ago. Since that game, the Red Sox and Blue Jays have struggled in the temporary divisions. The two division rivals are pretty much tied for dead last in the AL East (Boston and Toronto have 4 wins each, but Boston has played a couple more games and have 2 more losses). A big issue for the Blue Jays has been a lack of offence. Their starting pitching has been fine, though it would be nice if the starters could pitch an extra inning or two per start. So far, the starting pitchers have pitched more than 5 innings just once. Tanner Roark was looking to become the second starter to pitch past the 5th tonight. Cavan Biggio was back at 2B after a start in RF last night. Vlad was also back at first base after serving as DH last night (Rowdy Tellez was the DH tonight). Finally Teoscar Hernandez was in RF after a day off last night. Danny Jansen was back behind the plate after a night off last night Could the Blue Jays start the weekend with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Cavan Biggio led off the game with an opposite-field shot over the green monster
- The Red Sox answered back in the bottom half of the inning on a bases loaded walk to Mitch Moreland that forced in Andrew Benintendi
- The Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Alex Verdugo smashed a solo blast to left and over the green monster
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Bo Bichette doubled home Biggio
- The Red Sox retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Moreland smacked a two-run bomb to right also scoring Xander Bogaerts
- Nate Pearson pitching line: 3IP 3H 4R (all earned) 5BB 1K 68 pitches (41 for strikes)
- Ryan Weber pitching line: 3IP 5H 2R (both earned) 2BB 3K 64 pitches (39 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 6th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled scoring Rowdy Tellez. Guerrero was thrown out at 3rd, trying to stretch the double into a triple
- The Red Sox added a run in the bottom of the 8th as Verdugo absolutely clobbered one, almost out of the ballpark over the green monster
- Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless 9th for his 3rd save of the season
- Final score: Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- It wasn't a stellar game for either starting pitcher. Tanner Roark did not have his best stuff tonight, issuing 5 walks, 2 HR and 4 runs total. You have to wonder if so much extra time off is affecting the pitchers this week. For the 10th time in 12 games, the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays failed to get past the 5th inning. In fact, Roark barely made it through three innings and Jacob Waguespack was throwing in the 2nd inning. Ryan Borucki got up and threw in the 3rd inning, before coming into the game to start the 4th.
- Cavan Biggio had a strong game, getting on base 3 times, including a leadoff HR
- Teoscar Hernandez continues to swing a hot stick, getting 2 more hits
- Up next, the Blue Jays look to even the series. Chase Anderson makes his Blue Jays debut against Red Sox righty Zack Godley
