After getting rained out yesterday, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series Thursday and end their time in Buffalo on a winning note. Joel Payamps was traded to the Royals for cash considerations. Alejandro Kirk was reinstated from the 60-day IL and optioned to AAA. Anthony Kay was optioned to AAA. TJ Zeuch was DFA'd. Patrick Murphy was recalled from AAA. Robbie Ray got the start. Lourdes Gurriel got the half day off, serving as DH with Teoscar Hernandez in LF and Randal Grichuk in RF.. Danny Jansen was behind the plate. Could the Blue Jays get one last win in Buffalo? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as Enrique Hernandez smashed a 2-run blast to left; also scoring Bobby Dalbec
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 4th as Rafael Devers hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 5th as Michael Chavis hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Robbie Ray pitching line: 5IP 5H 4R (all earned) 1BB 4K 79 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 6th as Christian Vazquez singled scoring JD Martinez
- The Blue Jays got a pair back in the bottom half of the inning as George Springer drilled a 2-run shot to right-center; also scoring Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Teoscar Hernandez annihilated a solo bomb to dead center
- Garrett Richards pitching line: 5.2IP 4H 4R (all earned) 1BB 5K 82 pitches (55 for strikes)
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 8th as Martinez whacked a solo blast to right
- A batter later, Hunter Renfrow hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Matt Barnes pitched a perfect 9th for his 20th save of the season
- Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 4
My Take:
- Robbie Ray was victimied by the long ball. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 5 hits (three HR), 4 runs while walking 1 and sriking out 4.
- Offensively, the Blue Jays got three of their 4 runs off the long ball.
- The bullpen allowed 3 runs on 4 hits while walking one and striking out 5. Trevor Richard was the only driver to have a perfect inning
- It was spots 3-5 in the batting order that did the damage offensively today. Teo, Vlad and Springer each cranked a HR, Vlad and Teo both hit a solo shot and Springer a 2-run shot
- The Blue Jays were 0-4 with runners in scoring position.
- With tonight's loss, the Blue Jays record at Sahlen is 30-20. They were 10-11 in Dunedin where they played the first 2 month of this season and 0-2 when they were technically on the road in Washington but got last AB. It's time for some home cooking.
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a tretch of 18 games in 17 days (they will play a double header August 7th in LA/Anaheim) beginning with some interleague action in NY. Friday's game will see Steven Matz pitching against Mets righty Tylor Megill.
