After a successful 4-2 road trip in tough ball parks in Fenway Park and Minute Maid Park, the Blue Jays began a week of rematches with a four-game set against the Red Sox. Toronto took 2 of 3 in Boston and will be looking to continue their success against their AL East rivals. Ace Jose Berrios gets the ball to open the crucial series. Alejandro Kirk was back behind the plate after the day off yesterday. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day off as DH with Raimel Tapia in LF. Could the Blue Jays start the week and homestand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 5th aa Lourdes Gurriel Jr. whacked a solo blast to left-center and into the Blue Jays bullpen
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a solo bomb to dead center by Matt Chapman
- The Red Sox got one back in the top of the 8th as Enrique Hernandez singled scoring Bobby Dalbec
- A batter later, Christian Arroyo scored on a sac fly by Alex Verdugo
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 7IP 5H 2R (both earned) 1BB 4K 89 pitches (60 for strikes)
- Nathan Eovaldi pitching line: 7IP 5H 2R (both earned) 0BB 5K 72 pitches (56 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays retook the lead on a grand slam to right by Bo Bichette that also scored Santiago Espinal, Bradley Zimmer and George Springer
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 2
My Take:
- It was a classic pitching duel tonight with both Jose Berrios and Nathan Eovaldi firing 7 innings and giving up a pair of runs on 5 hits. Berrios allowed a walk and struck out one less batter than Eovaldi; whereas Eovaldi did not walk anybody and struck out one more batter. Eovaldi was also a bit more efficient needing just 72 pitches to get through 7 innings. Berrios needed 89 pitches over 7 innings. Berrios retired 12 straight batters before giving up 2 singles in a row to start the 8th.
- The difference in the ball game was the Blue Jays were able to get a grand slam off the Red Sox relievers, whereas the Blue Jays relievers held the Red Sox to 2 singles over the final 2 innings
- Offensively, the Blue Jays finally had a good night with runners in scoring position, driving in 2 of the 3 runners in scoring position.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Alejandro Kirk had at least 1 hit
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for their fourth straight win against Boston. Kevin Gausman pitches against Red Sox righty Nick Pivetta. Gausman will be looking to replicate his dominated performance against the Red Sox. Five days ago, Gausman allowed just one run on 7 hits while walking none and striking out 8.
