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| Kevin Gausman threw 7 shutout innings in a 7-2 win over the Red Sox |
After an underwhelming loss to the Brewers yesterday, the Blue Jays returned home to begin a stretch of 8 games in seven days, which will include a double header Saturday against the Rays to make up one of he games postponed due to the lockout. The Blue Jays kicked things off tonight with a game against the Red Sox. The Blue Jays have won 5 of 7 games against the Red Sox so far this season and have outscored the Red Sox 24-19. Hyun-Jin Ryu was transferred to the 60-day IL. Righty Jeremy Beasley was optioned to AAA-ball and Righty Shaun Anderson was added to the big league roster. Kevin Gausman got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Vlad was back in the field after DH'ing yesterday. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. got the half day off as DH with Cavan Biggio in LF. Could the Blue Jays start the week and home stand with a win? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Bo Bichette doubled scoring George Springer
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 3rd as Springer hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Two batters later, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. annihilate a 2-run bomb to straightaway center; also scoring Bichette
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom of the 7th on a fielder's choice hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. that scored Alejandro Kirk
- A batter later, Matt Chapman belted a 2-run bomb to the second deck in left; also scoring Gurriel Jr.
- Connor Seabold pitching line: 4.2IP 9H 7R (all earned) 1BB 7K 86 pitches (54 for strikes)
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 7IP 4H 0R 2BB 10K 110 pitches (77 for strikes)
- The Red Sox got one back in the top of the 9th on a sac fly by Trevor Story that scored Xander Bogaerts
- Three batters later, Bobby Dalbec singled home Alex Verdugo
- Final score: Blue Jays 7 Red Sox 2
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman threw 7 shutout innings, scattering 4 hits while walking 2 and striking out 10. He retired the first 8 Red Sox batters before allowing a 2-out single to Bobby Dalbec. The Blue Jays had lost the last 4 Gausman starts this month, 3 of those losses being on Gausman's record, It was nice to see him dominate a team again.
- Shaun Anderson made his Blue Jays and 2022 season debut, finishing off the game for the Blue Jays. Tonight's appearance is the 5th stop in the majors having pitched for the Giants, Twins, Orioles and Padres since his big league debut in 2019. The Red Sox plated a pair of runs on 4 hits off the journeyman reliever. Anderson also endured a comebacker that resulted in a wild throw. Luckily, Anderson was not hurt on the play. With Sergio Romo signed to a deal today, Anderson's cup of tea in the bigs may be short lived this time around.
- The Blue Jays bats came through tonight with some absolute bombs. In all, five of the Blue Jays runs came courtesy of the long ball. Vlad and Springer both hit screamers that would have broken walls in some of the smaller stadiums. Matt Chapman crushed one to the second deck in left.
- Every Blue Jays starter except Santiago Espinal had at least one hit.
- The win had impact on the standings in the AL East. The Blue Jays gained a ha'f game on the idle Rays and they gained a full game on the Red Sox. A series sweep of the Red Sox would now put the Blue Jays back in 2nd place in the AL East standings heading into a crucial 5-game series against the Rays.
- Up next, the Blue Jays go for two straight wins and their 13th season series win of the season. Ross Stripling starts against Red Sox righty Michael Wacha.
