After destroying the Rangers by a combined score of 25-2, the Blue Jats opened their final series in Buffalo before returning to Toronto July 30, the first MLB game played in Canada since September 29, 2019 - an 8-3 victory over the Rays. The Red Sox have won 5 of the 9 meetings in the season series so far, yet the Blue Jays have outscored them 57-29. Alek Manoah (back contusion from fall on dugout steps) and Anthony Castro (right ulnar nerve irritation) were placed on the 10-day IL Ross Stripling got the star tonight. Reese McGuire was behind the plate. Randal Grichuk got the half day off, serving as the DH with George Springer in CF and Teoscar Hernandez in RF. Cavan Biggio got the start at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it five wins in a row? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 1st as Jarren Duran whacked a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Enrique Hernandez. It was his first career HR
- Five batters later, Hunter Renfroe hammered a grand slam to left center; also scoring Rafael Devers, JD Martinez and Alex Verdugo
- Ross Stripling pitching line: 0.1IP 4H 6R (all earned) 2BB 0K 36 pitches (22 for strikes)
- Three batters later,Georg Hernandez smashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Kevin Plawecki
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 2nd as Devers crushed an opposite-field shot to right-center
- Four batters later, Danny Santana doubled home Martinez and Verdugo
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 4th as Santana hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning on a ground out by Teoscar Hernandez than scored Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, George Springer scored on a sac fly by Randal Grichuk
- A batter after that, Cavan Biggio whacked a solo blast to right
- Four batters later, Bo Bichette singled home Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 6th as Hernandez smashed a solo blast to left
- Nick Pivetta pitching line: 6.2IP 11H 4R (all earned) 2BB 4K 108 pitches (75 for strikes)
- Final score: Red Sox 13 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Woof, that was a rough start for Ross Stripling, who recorded just one out in the shortest start by a Blue Jays starter this season.He gave up 6 runs on 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out none. The damage was capped off by a grand slam by Hunter Renfroe
- The next man up, Anthony Kay fared no better, giving up five runs on 5 hits while walking three and striking out one. It just highlights the need to acquire more bullpen arms and perhaps an arm that could do a spot start. Likely, Thomas Hatch will be recalled to help the Blue Jays get through a few innings tomorrow with Manoah missing at least one start. The bigger concern is after Thursday's off-day/travel day, the Blue Jays play 17 straight days before the next off-day.
- The Blue Jays had their opportunities offensively, but could not capitalize. They got 11 hits off starter Nick Pivetta but only scored in the 4th inning and two of the runs were conceded on outs.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Teoscar Hernandez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had at least one hit
- The Blue Jays were a brutal 1-12 with runners in scoring position.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the final series in Buffalo. With the injury to Alek MAanoah, tomorrow will be a bullpen day with Thomas Hatch expected to make his 1st appearance of the season after being on the IL until recently with a right elbow impingement. The Red Sox will counter with righty Garrett Richards
