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Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam in a 6-1 win over the Red Sox |
After a brutal loss due to a rough first inning from Max Scherzer, Jose Berrios giving up a 3-run HR and absolutely nothing from the offence, the Blue Jays were looking to snap the 2-game skid and avoid being swept for the 5th time this season. Jose Berrios was placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation and Paxson Schultz was recalled from AAA-ball. It was bullpen day with Louis Varland starting with Tyler Heineman behind the plate. Anthony Santander got the start in LF with George Springer serving as DH. Nathan Lukes was in RF. Addison Barger was at the hot corner, Andres Gimenez was at SS and Ernie Clement was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 2-game skid and avoid their 5th series loss of the season? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- Louis Varland pitching line: 2IP 0H 0R 0BB 3K 23 pitches (16 for strikes)
- The Blue jays opened the scoring in the bottom of 6th as Daulton Varsho hit a grand slam to right-center and into the Red Sox bullpen: also scoring Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Addison Barger and Anthony Santander
- Four batters later, George Springer whacked a 2-run blast to the opposite field in right
- Brayan Bello pitching line: 5IP 3H 2R (both earned) 3BB 3K 89 pitches (54 for strikes
- The Red Sox got one back in the top of the 7th as Trevor Story singled scoring Jarren Duran
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Red Sox 1
My Take:
- Louis Varland did his job as the opening, firing 2 perfect innings and striking out 3 batters. The bullpen game was necessitated by both Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt on the IL. If all goes well and the Blue Jays clinch the division before Sunday, he could be in line to be the opener in another bullpen game
- The rest of the bullpen experienced mixed results. Eric Lauer threw 3 perfect innings. Yariel Rodriguez, who was credited for the w and Brandon Little also both retired every batter they faced. Braydon Fisher gave up the Red Sox only run and Jeff Hoffman loaded the bases before inducing a pop-fly to end the game. This could be the team's achilles heel
- Daultton Varsho (grand slam) and George Springer (2-run HR) drove the offence
- This win was huge since the Yankees were poised to sweep the White Sox. The Blue Jays also clinched a bye to the divisional round for the AL East division winner
- Up next, the Blue Jays welcome the Rays for the final series of the regular season. Shane Bieber starts against Rays righty Adrian Houser