| Kevin Kiermaier drove in a run in a 7-3 loss to the Red Sox |
After a loss thanks to an untimely pair of runs given up by the bullpen, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the first time this season. Kevin Gausman got the start with Danny Jansen behind the plate. George Springer was back in the lineup and in RF after the complete day off yesterday. Kevin Kermaier was in CF and Daulton Varsho was in LF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 1st time this season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 3rd as David Hamilton singled scoring Romy Gonzalez. Kevin Kiermaier was charged with a throwing error on the play
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 4th as Enmanuel Valdez hammered a solo bomb to the 3rd deck in right
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom half of the inning as Kevin Kiermaier singled scoring Addison Barger
- Two batters later, Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored on a double play ball hit by Justin Turner
- The Red Sox retook the lead in the top of the 5th as Jarren Duran hammered a solo bomb to dead center
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 6th as Gonzalez singled scoring Masataka Yoshida
- A batter later, Duran singled home Valdez
- Kevin Gausman pitching line: 5.2IP 6H 5R (4 earned) 3BB 4K 97 pitches (62 for strikes)
- Brayan Bello pitching line: 6IP 7H 2R (both earned) 2BB 6K 88 pitches (60 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th on a wild pitch by Justin Slaten that scored Turner
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 8th as Dominic Smith doubled scoring Valdez
- A batter later, Smith scored on a throwing error by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 3
My Take:
- Kevin Gausman battled through 5.2 inning, giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits while walking 3 and striking out 4. He was working his way out of jams all night and gave up runs in innings 3-6. As he said, if he isn't near perfect, the Blue Jays lose and that is what happened tonight. I ask again, what decent starter is going to want to sign with the offence the way it is
- The bullpen gave up a further 2 runs in the 8th to put the game out of reach. Genesis Cabrera, Zach Pop and Bowden Francis retired every batter they faced
- The offence scored in 2 innings and neither was the 1st or 2nd inning
- Moving Justin Turner up in the lineup might have actually worked since Turner scored once and another run was scored on a double play ball he hit
- The Blue Jays were an abysmal 1-15 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, after an off-day tomorrow, the Blue Jays begin a week-long road trip and the start of 17 straight days of baseball, beginning with a rematch in Cleveland against the Guardians, who they won 2 of 3 against a week ago, outscoring the Guardians 13-9. Yariel Rodriguez is expected to come off the IL to make the start. The Guardians will counter with righty Carlos Carrasco
