| Teoscar Hernandez drove in 3 runs and scored twice in a 6-3 win over the Red Sox |
After a 10-0 drubbing of the Red Sox on the backs of monster days from Danny Jansen, Teo and Raimel Tapia (the trio combined to go 9-13, driving in 8 runs and scoring 7. Jansen and Teo were a triple shy of the cycle), the Blue Jays wrapped up the home portion of the regular season schedule. They were looking for their 3rd straight win, 9th straight win over the Red Sox and 3rd straight series sweep of the Red Sox and 6th series sweep of the season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer got the half day off as DH with Jackie Bradley Jr. in CF. Could the Blue Jays extend the win streak over the Red Sox to 9 games (overall win streak to 3 games), get their 3rd straight series sweep over the Red Sox (6th series sweep on the season) and end the home portion of the schedule with a win? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 4th as Bobby Dalbec singled scoring JD Martinez and Abraham Almonte
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Teoscar Hernandez hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Blue Jays tied the game in the botom of the 3rd as Whit Merrifield crushed a solo bomb to the second deck in left
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 3IP 4H 2R (both earned) 0BB 4K 53 pitches (38 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the 3rd as Hernandez drlled a 2-run bomb off the foul pole in left; also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Four batters later, Merrifield doubled scoring Danny Jansen
- Michael Wacha pitching line: 4IP 6H 5R (all earned) 1BB 4K 71 pitches (48 for strikes)
- The Red Sox got one back in the top of the 7th as Dalbec belted a solo bomb to left-center
- The Blue Jays added a run in the bottom half of the inning on a fielder's choice hit by George Springer that scored Merrifield
- Jordan Romano pitched a scoreless 9th for his 36th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 3
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman's regular season didn't end the way he would have wanted. He had to leave the game after three innings and 53 pitches with a cut on his middle finger. Gausman gave up a pair of runs on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 4. The one good thing is he'll be well rested for an expected game 2 start on the weekend.
- The bullpen gave up a run on 4 hits while walking none and striking out 1 over the final 6 innings. Anthony Bass was taken yard for the lone run against. Jordan Romano notched his 36th save of the season.
- Teo and Whit Merrifield drove the offence today, combining to go 6-10 with 5 RBI and 4 runs scored
- Incredibly the Blue Jays were 1-9 with runners in scoring position. This has been a weak spot all season and could spell an early exit in the postseason
- In terms of the WC race, with the Rays losing, the Blue Jays will either be the 1st or 2nd seed and will either face Seattle or TB at home or travel to Seattle. Given the Blue Jays were already swept in Seattle this season, they'll try to avoid this scenario. If they make it past the WC round, the Blue Jays will take on the Astros in the divisional round.
- Up next, the Blue Jays open the final series of the regular season in Baltimore. The season series against the Orioles is even at 8 wins apiece. The Blue Jays have outscored the Orioles 86-76. Jose Berrios starts against Orioles righty Dean Kremer.
