Zack Collins hit a solo HR in a losing effort as the Blue Jays fell to the Red Sox 2-1
After a huge series win to remain above .500 and atop the AL East standings, the Blue Jays hit the road for a week, beginning with a trio at Fenway Park. The Red Sox won 10 of the 19 games in the season series, but the Blue Jays outscored Boston 110-81. Given the Blue Jays missed the playoffs by a single game, they need to take this series seriously. Yusei Kikuchi got the start. Same lineup as Sunday except Raimel Tapia is in RF. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and start the road trip with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Zack Collins drilled a solo bomb to right-center
- The Red Sox tied the game in the bottom of the 3rd as Trevor Story doubled home Enrique Hernandez
- Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 4.2IP 7H 1R (earned) 1BB 6K 95 pitches (61 for strikes)
- Yusei Kikuchi pitching line: 5IP 3H 1R (earned) 3BB 3K 91 pitches (58 for strikes)
- The Red Sox took the kead in the bottom of the 7th on a sac fly by Connor Wong that scored Bobby Dalbec
- Garrett Whittock pitched a perfect 9th for his 1st save of the season
- Final score: Red Sox 2 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Yusei Kikuchi threw 5 solid innings, giving up one run on three hits while walking 3 and striking out 3. The game started out badly for Kikuchi, who walked the 1st two batters he faced before inducing a ground ball DP and getting the always tough Xander Bogaerts to ground out to Bichette to end the threat. Kikuchi retired the final six batters he faced.
- Bichette made a costly throwing error in the 7th that eventually led to the game-winning run on a sac fly
- The bullpen was solid, allowing the lone unearned run and no other base runners in the final 3 innings while striking out 3
- The Blue Jays were 0-5 with runners in scoring position
- Early on, the AL East looks like it's going to be as tight as last season when the 4th place Blue Jays missed the playoffs by a single game despite winning 90+ games. The Yankees also won meaning the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Yankees are tied for 1st in the AL East with identical 6-5 records. If Rays lead over the Cubs held, the Rays would be just a half game back of the Yankees, Blue Jays and Red Sox. The Orioles are in contention too, just 2.5 games behind.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to even the series. Jose Berrios starts against Red Sox righty Nick Pivetta
