Friday, September 4, 2020

Game #36 Toronto Blue Jays (20-16) @ Boston Red Sox (12-26) - game recap

 

Teoscar Hernandez hit a go-ahead 3-run HR in the 10th as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Red Sox 6-2

After splitting the two game series in Miami, the Blue Jays headed north to Boston to begin a rare 5-game series that includes a double header Friday. This will be a battle of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Red  Sox are dead last in the AL East and are engaged in a race to the bottom to try and get the best draft position. Boston said goodbye to outfielder Kevin Pillar for the second time and also sent relievers Heath Hembree and Brandon Workman packing in several deals. The Blue Jays, on the other hand are very much looking to make the playoffs. They added tonight's starter Taijuan Walker, Utility man Jonathan Villar, Daniel Vogelbach (he was DFA'd a couple of days ago), and pitchers Robbie Ray and Ross Stripling. Vlad was back in the field after getting the complete day off (though he did have a pinch hit appearance last night). Randal Grichuk was also back in the field after serving as DH yesterday. Cavan Biggio slid over to RF after playing CF yesterday, Joe Panik was at the hot corner, Santiago Espinal was at SS and Jonathan Villar started at 2B. Could the Blue Jays make it two wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Red Sox took the lead in the bottom of the 2nd as Jackie Bradley Jr. whacked a solo blast to right-center 
  • The Red Sox added a run in the bottom of the 6th on a bases loaded walk by Bradley Jr. that forced in Rafael Devers
  • The Blue Jays got a run back in the top of the 7th as Joe Panik singled home Teoscar Hernande
  • Taijuan Walker pitching  line: 5.2IP 6H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 81 pitches (50 for strikes)
  • Martin Perez pitching line: 6.2IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 5K 96 pitches (54 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 8th on a wild pitch by Ryan Brasier that scored Cavan Biggio
  • The Blue Jays took the lead in the top of the 10th on a 3-run bomb to right-center by Teoscar Hernandez; also scoring Biggio and Derek Fisher 
  • Two batters later, Gurriel Jr. smacked a solo blast to left and over the green monster 
  • Final score: Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 2 (10 innings)

My Take:

  • Taijuan Walker had another solid start, firing 5.2 innings pitched, allowing 2 runs on 6 hits while walking 1 and striking out 4. He really only got in trouble during the even number innings. He retired the Red Sox order in the 1st, 3rd and 5th. In the 2nd inning, he gave up his only run on a solo shot by Jackie Bradley Jr., then allowed a single before getting the final out. In the 4th inning, he escaped the jam with a double play. In the 6th inning, he left with the bases loaded, and Anthony Kay allowed one of the runs to score by walking the first batter he faced.
  • On the other side of the coin, it looked like the Blue Jays were going to be no-hit for the first time since James Paxton no hit the Blue Jays at the Rogers Center in 2018. Red Sox starter Martin Perez allowed just 4 base runners on three walks and a horrible error that was nullified by Vlad inexplicably trying to score AFTER Red Sox 2B Michael Chavis had picked up the dropped ball and was about to throw it back in the infield (I guess he was trying to catch Chavis napping?). The Blue Jays got to Perez in the 7th with 3 singles, the last breaking the shutout bid. The Blue Jays then manufactured the tying run on a wild pitch before taking the lead in the 10th on a huge 3-run blast by Teo. Gurriel Jr. tacked on another run with a bomb over the green monster 
  • Running gaffes continue to be a huge problem. After three gaffes a night earlier, Guerrero ran into the 3rd out against a pitcher who was dealing at the time. The next inning, Jonathan Villar chose to slide trying to beat out an infield single. Baseball is all about fundamentals and those count bigger in the playoffs 
  • Six of the seven hits the Blue Jays got belonged to three players (Teoscar Hernandez, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Joe Panik)
  • Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it three in a row. Tanner Roark pitches against Red Sox righty Zack Godley