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| Vladimir Guerrero Jr, hit a clutch 3-run HR as the Blue Jays came from behind to defeat the Red Sox 4-2 |
After a huge comeback win from 6 runs down last night that was capped off by an Alejandro Kirk walkoff single, the Blue Jays were looking to make it 2 straight wins and 4 series wins. Ace Jose Berrios got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. George Springer got the complete day off with Alan Roden in LF and Nathan Lukes in RF. Andres Gimenez also got the complete day off with Ernie Clement at 2B. Addison Barger was at the hot corner. Could the Blue Jays make it two straight wins and 4 series wins? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 5th as Alex Bregman doubled scoring Rob Refsnyder and David Hamilton
- Jose Berrios pitching line: 6.2IP 7H 2R (both earned) 1BB 8K 88 pitches (61 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Daulton Varsho whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in left
- Tanner Houck pitching line: 7IP 4H 1R (earned) 0BB 6K 86 pitches (62 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays took the lead in the bottom of the 8th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. belted a 3-run jack to left-center; also scoring Nathan Lukes and Bo Bichette
- Yimi Garcia threw a perfect 9th for his 2nd save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 4 Red Sox 2
My Take:
- Jose Berriis gave the Blue Jays exactly what they needed after 2 days of heavy use following a rough start from Bowden Francis and a planned bullpen day yesterday. Berrios pitched into the 7th inning, giving up a pair of runs on 7 hits while walking 1 and striking out 8. He didn't allow a Red Sox batter to get past 1st base, except for the 5th inning where he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk
- The bullpen threw 2.1 perfect innings and Yimi Garcia struck out 2 of the batters he faced. Garcia is looking like the go-to guy as a closer when Jeff Hoffman needs a day off
- The bats are heating up. Daulton Varsho homered for the 2nd straight game and Vlad gave the Blue Jays the lead with a no-doubter to left-center.
- The lue Jays were 1-1 with runners in scoring position
- The Blue Jays got mixed news on the injury front and the bigger concern has to be with reliever Erik Swanson, who was scratched from a recent rehab appearance with forearm tightness. Swanson missed the first part of the season with ulnar nerve impingement. The team best be careful with Swanson lest the injury leads to season-ending tommy john surgery. Meanwhile, Max Scherzer is slowly progressing, throwing off a mound with more pitches than last time he threw. Scherzer will be monitored closely and the big test will be when he starts throwing 45 pitches or so where the thumb injury has been rearing its ugly head
- Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the Cleveland Guardians to town for a weekend series. The Guardians won the seaon series in 2024, outscoring the Blue Jays 28-22. Chris Bassitt starts against Guardians lefty Logan Allen
