After blowing a 4 run lead late and seeing the Red Sox walk them off last night, the Blue Jays were right back at it. Jordan Romano was feeling better and available to pitch after being unavailable yesterday due to a forearm strain. George Springer continues to run the bases and take batting practice with no word on the rehab assignment. Jeremy Beasley was optioned to AAA Trenton. AJ Cole was transferred to the 60 day IL. Lefty Taylor Saucedo was added to the roster. Steven Matz got the start. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday (Rowdy Tellez was DH today). Joe Panik was at the hot corner today. Cavan Biggio got the start in RF. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a 2-run bomb to left-center; also scoring Bo Bichette
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 5th as Cavan Biggio smacked a solo blast to left-center
- Two batters later, Marcus Semien cranked a 2-run blast to left-center also scoring Reese McGuire
- A batter later, Bo Bichette hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Nick Pivetta pitching line: 5IP 6H 6R (all earned) 2BB 6K 96 pitches (60 for strikes)
- The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 6th as Christian Vazquez singled scoring Rafael Devers
- Steven Matz pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 1R (earned) 2BB 8K 111 pitches (74 for strikes)
- The Red Sox got one back in the bottom of the 8th as Devers triples home JD Martinez
- The Blue Jays added a run in the top of the 9th as Reese McGuire whacked a solo blast to right
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Red Sox 2
My Take:
- Steven Matz had a strong start, giving up a run on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 8. He got a pick off of Rafael Devers in the 2nd inning. He retired seven in a row at one point. Manager Charlie Montoyo gave him every opportunity to work out of a jam in the 6th, but he could not get the 3rd out
- Bullpen was solid after blowing the game last night, though Rafael Dolis did give up a run on a walk and triple. Jordan Romano shook off a hard comebacker that caught him in the worst possible spot to get the final out
- Vlad continued his MVP-caliber season, cracking his 20th HR and drawing a pair of walks, including his 40th of the season.
- Marcus Semien also kept his road hitting streak alive with a 2-run bomb in the 5th
- Every Blue Jays starter except Randal Grichuk and Teoscar Hernandez had at least one hit
- Up next, thbe Blue Jays continue a 4-game set with the Red Sox with a Suday matinee. They'll be looking for their second straight win over their AL East division rivals. Sunday will be a battle of the leftiies with Robbie Ray up against Red Sox southpaw Martin Perez
