Sunday, September 6, 2020

Game #39 Toronto Blue Jays (21-18) @ Boston Red Sox (14-27) - game recap

 

Teoscar Hernandez was 3-5 with 3 runs scored and 2RBI in a losing effort as the Red Sox Came from behind to walk off the Blue Jays 9-8

The Blue Jays are close to having the Canadian sports market to themselves. The Vancouver Canucks were the last Canadian-based team eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs after a lackluster 3-0 shutout defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Toronto Raptors are down 2-1 in their playoff series against the Boston Celtics and needed a late buzzer beater to avoid facing a 3-0 deficit. The Blue Jays are in a good position as they battle for a playoff spot. After splitting the double header yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking for the series win. Reese McGuire was optioned to the taxi squad for Caleb Joseph. McGuire  Chase Anderson got the start on the pitching bump. Cavan Biggio got the complete day off with Joe Panik at 2B, Randal Grichuk in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Vlad was back in the field after a couple of days either half off or completely off. Rowdy Tellez got the half day off, serving as the DH today. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was also completely off with Derek Fisher in LF. Jonathan Villar got the start at SS. Could the Blue Jays get the Series win? Here is today's game recap.

Game Highlights:

  • The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Teoscar Hernandez cranked a solo blast to dead center 
  • The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom half of the inning as JD Martinez hammered a solo bomb to dead center 
  • Three batters later, Jackie Bradley Jr. cranked a 2-run blast to right center; also scoring Christian Vazquez
  • Two batters later, Bobby Dalbec whacked a solo blast over the green monster
  • The Blue Jays got one back in the top of the 4th as Travis Shaw doubled home Rowdy Tellez
  • The Red Sox added a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning as Rafael Devers doubled scoring Dalbec and Alex Verdugo
  • Chase Anderson pitching line: 4IP 9H 6R (all earned) 1BB 3K 79 pitches (50 for strikes)
  • Ryan Weber pitching line: 5IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 2K 66 pitches (40 for strikes)
  • The Blue Jays got 3 back in the top of the 6th on a 3-run bomb to left-center by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.; also scoring Tellez and Hernandez
  • The Blue Jays tied the game in the top of the 7th as Hernandez singled scoring Randal Grichuk
  • Three batters later, Joe Panik doubled home Hernandez
  • Two batters later, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled scoring Guerrero Jr.
  • The Red Sox got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Devers smacked a solo blast to right-center
  • The Red Sox tied the game in the top of the 9th as Xander Bogaerts smashed a solo bomb to dead center 
  • Three batters later, Vasquez scored on a fielder's choice hit by Yairo Munoz. The run happened after a comedy of errors by the Blue Jays defense. First, Caleb Joseph threw the ball away, allowing Vasquez to advance from 1st to 3rd. Then, a pitch later, Travis Shaw made a horrible throw trying to gun down Vasquez at the plate.
  • Final score: Red Sox 9 Blue Jays 8

My Take:

  • There were yet more base running follies. This time, Jonathan Villar was thrown out at 2B trying to stretch a single into a double in the 5th. In the 7th, Rowdy Tellez was thrown out at 3rd base trying go from 1st to 3rd in the 7th. This might be what sinks the Blue Jays playoff chances or leads to an early exit.
  • Chase Anderson had a rough outing, allowing 6 runs on 9 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. He's pretty much back up to where he should be in terms of pitch count after missing the first couple of weeks with an oblique injury.
  • Caleb Joseph made his MLB debut, coming in defensively in the bottom of the 7th. He walked in his only AB, and had a rough go in the 9th, throwing the ball away to allow the winning run to advance from 1st to 3rd, then couldn't do anything about a wide throw by Shaw 
  • Every Blue Jays starter but Danny Jansen had at least one hit. 
  • The Blue Jays were a paltry 4-15 with runners in scoring position 
  • Up next, the rubber match of the series. After splitting the 1st 4 games in this rare 5 game seroes thanks to a double header, the blue Jays will try to end the road trip with a win and snap the 2 game losing streak. Robbie Ray gets his first start in a Blue Jays uniform (he has a relief appearance). The Red Sox will counter with righty Andrew Triggs