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| Ernie Clement drove in a pair of runs in a losing effort as the Red Sox came from behind to edge the Blue Jays 4-3 |
After another loss due to the inept offence and a poor showing by Yusei Kikuchi, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series. Bo Bichette was placed on the 10-day IL with a right calf strain (Orlevis Martinez was recalled in his place). Lefty Brandon Eisert was optioned back to AAA-ball. Righty Ryan Burr was recalled from AAA-ball. Chris Bassitt with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Daulton Varsho was in CF and Davis Schneider was in LF. George Springer got the complete day off with Addison Barger in RF. Spencer got the start at 2B. Could the Blue Jays even the series? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 7th as Dominic Smith singled scoring Tyler O'Neill
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Ernie Clement doubled scoring Justin Turner and Addison Barger
- The Red Sox tied it up in the top of the 6th as Masataka Yoshida singled scoring Rafael Devers
- The Blue Jays retook the lead in the bottom half of the inning as Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled scoring Turner
- Tanner Houck pitching line: 5.2IP 7H 3R (all earned) 2BB 5K 103pitches (71 for strikes)
- Chris Bassitt pitching line: 6IP 7H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 99 pitches (65 for strikes)
- The Red Sox tied it in the top of the 8th as O'Neill hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- Four batters later, Ceddanne Rafael singled home David Hamilton
- Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect 9th for his 13th save of the season
- Final score: Red Sox 4 Blue Jays 3
MyTake:
- Chris Bassitt fired 6 innings, allowing a pair of runs on 7 hits while walking 2 and striking out 6. He was pitching his way in and out of jams most of the night. It must be so tough for the starting pitchers, who know they have to be great and, at times near perfect. There is not much depth, although it's possible highly touted and injury prone prospect Rickey Tiedermann may be ready to pirch in the bigs in a month or so, so they have to stay healthy too.. It will be difficult to attract a solid free agent pitcher when they know they will receive little run support.
- The bullpen gave up 2 runs (both charged to Brendon Little) on 5 hits while walking none and striking out 3. Genesis Cabrera was the only reliever to retire every batter he faced.
- Justin Turner scored twice, Ernie Clement drove in 2.
- The first inning woes continued. Spencer Horwitz led off the game with a double and remained at second base. The Blue Jays failed to even advance him a base, let alone drive him in. It's so perplexing that the team can't score in the 1st inning, yet can score in the second inning. I mean, the batters in the 2nd inning are facing the starting pitcher for the first time in that inning
- The Blue Jays went down in order in the 4th, 5th, 7th and 9th innings
- The Blue Jays were 2-12 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2 game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season. Kevin Gausman starts against Red Sox righty Brayan Bello
