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Isiah Kiner-Falefa hit a solo home run in a 7-1 loss to the Red Sox |
After an unfortunate loss due to an ice cold offence and an unfortunate game-changing foul ball call by 3rd base ump, the Blue Jays were looking to even the series and avoid their 19th series loss of the season. Max Scherzer got the start with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate. Anthony Santander returned to the lineup for the first time since May 29th and served as DH. George Springer was in LF and Myles Straw was in RF. IKF was at the hot corner, Ernie Clement was at SS and Davis Schneider was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays even the series and avoid their 19th series loss of the season? Here is today's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Red Sox opened the scoring in the top of the 2nd as Masataka Yoshida doubled scoring Trevor Story
- A batter later, Romy Gonzalez singled scoring Yoshida and Alex Bregman
- The Red Sox added a run in the top of the 5th as Yoshida belted a solo jack to right
- Max Scherzer pitching line: 5IP 10H 4R (all earned) 0BB 5K 86 pitches (65 for strikes)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was ejected in the bottom of the 7th for arguing a called 3rd strike that replay showed caught the corner
- A batter later, hitting coach David Popkns joined him in the clubhousem also ejected for arguing balls and strikes
- The Red Sox added 3 runs in the top of the 8th as Carlos Narvaez hammered a 3-run bomb to dead center; also scoring Ceddanne Rafaela and Gonzalez
- Garrett Crochet pitching line: 8IP 3H 0R 0BB 6K 100 pitches (69 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 9th as Isiah Kiner-Falefa whacked a solo blast to the opposite field in right
- Final score: Red Sox 7 Blue Jays 1
My Take:
- Max Scherzer battled through 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 10 hits while walking none and striking out 5. Scherzer didn't make it out of the 1st inning and tonight was nearly a repeat with the Red Sox jumping on him early, plating 3 runs on 5 hits in the opening inning and pushing 30 pitches. He actually struck out the 1st batter he faced, but gave up 5 straight hits. The way the season is ending for him, don't be surprised if Scherzer joins fellow pitching legend Clayton Kershaw, who he pitched against for the final time August 8th with both future hall of famers turning back the clock on that day. A month ago, Scherzer looked like he had a playoff start locked up, but his recent starts have not been good.
- The bullpen gave up 3 runs on 2 hits while walking 3 and striking out 3 over the last 4 innings. Jose Berrios had mixed results in his first regular season relief appearance since September 29, 2017. He retired the side in order on an efficient 10 pitches in the 7th, but ran into trouble in the 8th, giving up a 3-run HR that put the game out of reach. You have to wonder if he starts Sunday if the divison title is still up for grabs. Brandon Little retired every batter he faced
- There has to be big concern about the ice cold offence, which can't do anything lately. A month ago, it appeared the offence could outhit the pitching flaws. Today, a 3-run deficit feels insurmountable. Vlad was 0-3 before getting ejected on a called strike that was closer to the strike zone than the previous pitch. Anthony Santander looked like he was still catching up to big league pitching after running out of minor league games with the minor league season now over. The bottom of the order actually got 3 of the 4 hits on the day
- The news was even worse on the scoreboard with the Yankees drawing even with the Blue Jays in the standings after an easy win over the White Sox. Boston is also only 3 back of the Blue Jays. If the Blue Jays don't pick things up soon, they will be facing a crapshoot wild card series on the road, which could be in Cleveland against a red hot Guardians squad.
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to snap the 2-game skid and aoid being swept for the 5th time this season. Brayan Bello starts for the Red Sox. The Blue Jays haven't named their starter for tomorrow