Sunday, August 9, 2020

Game #13 Toronto Blue Jays (5-8) @ Boston Red Sox (6-9) - game recap

 

Matt Shoemaker threw 6 strong innings in a losing effort as the Red Sox walked off the Blue Jays 5-3

About 15 hours after edging the Red Sox after scraping two runs across the board (one each in the 7th and 8th) the Blue Jays were back in action, looking for their first series win of the season. Matt Shoemaker made his 3rd start of the season. He had a 3-1 record vs. Boston in 4 games (3 starts) heading into the matinee today. Vlad was back in the field after a half game off, serving as the DH last night. Rowdy Tellez was the DH today. Reese McGuire got the start behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Mitch Moreland crushed a solo blast to dead center 
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 3rd as Cavan Biggio smashed a solo bomb to straightaway center and into the Red Sox bullpen
  • The Red Sox retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a throwing error by Matt Shoemaker that allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. to score
  • The Blue Jays tied it in the top of the 4th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Teoscar Hernandez
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 6th as Bo Bichette lined a solo blast to right-center and into the Red Sox bullpen
  • The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as Rafael Devers hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
  • Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 6IP 6H 3R (all earned) 0BB 10K 91 pitches (63 for strikes)
  • Matt Shoemaker pitching line: 6IP 3H 3R (2 earned) 0BB 6K 89 pitches (59 for strikes) 
  • The Red Sox won it in the bottom of the 9th on a 2-run bomb by Moreland that also scored Bogaerts 
  • Final score: Red Sox 5 Blue Jays 3

My Take:

  • Finally, a Blue Jays starter pitched more than 5 innings! Matt Shoemaker threw 6 strong innings, just three mistakes (2 that left the yard and one that was his fault when he threw the ball wide left of Bo Bichette and into center field). He's been the Blue Jays most consistent starter so far this season
  • The balls were flying out of the yard for both teams. Six of the eight runs today came off home runs. 
  • After a hot start to the season, Cavan Biggio's average has dipped below .200
  • Way too many strikeouts today. Every Blue Jay except Biggio struck out at least once today. Travis Shaw, Randal Grichuk and Travis Shaw all struck out three times
  • Up next, the Blue Jays finally return to Buffalo where they will play their home games for the season. They open up a two-game series against Miami on Tuesday (assuming they don't screw up again and get a bunch of players sick). Hyun-jin Ryu gets the start Tuesday, looking for his second win in a Blue Jays uniform. The Marlins will counter with righty Elieser Hernandez