Toronto: The Boston Red Sox scored three runs in the 10th inning to avoid a three-game sweep in a 6-5 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
Boston took advantage of the ineffective presence of reliever David Phelps (0–2), who issued two walks before hitting a batter to bring home automatic runner Jackie Bradley Jr.
Alex Verdugo later took a two-run double off Tim Mezza to help Boston (43-33) win for the eighth time in 10 matches.
Matt Straum (3-2) conceded two runs in the bottom of the 10th before George Springer was run out and the runners won the scoring position. Santiago Espinal and Cavan Bigio scored a run each in the first frame.
Verdugo also made a home and Franchi Cordero scored four hits for the Red Sox, who led Toronto half a game into third with the win. Springer hits a single shot for the Blue Jays (42-33).
After starting the rally with a pinch-hit single in a walkoff victory the night before, Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk helped him to the offense again in the series finale.
He made a leadoff walk from Boston starter Nick Pivetta in the second innings and Raimel Tapia moved to second on a single. Espinal drove into Kirk with the opening run of the game.
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Blue Jays starter Alec Manoah retired the first six batsmen with a shift in the third inning before delivering a bunt single to Cordero.
The Toronto ace threw his glove at the ball as it rolled down the third-base line but did not make contact. If this were the case, Cordero could be awarded three bases under Major League Baseball rules.
Cordero was soon at third base anyway. He stole second before Rob Refsneider scored on the sacrificial fly and took an extra bag over Kirk’s wild throw.
Tension at the bottom of the frame increased after Pivetta hit Kirk off the pitch in the left elbow. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a few words for the Victoria native from the dugout and led the charge when the bench and bullpen were empty.
The two squads mostly stood side by side and Springer surrounded Guerrero to help keep things from escalating. Kirk remained in the game and Toronto loaded the bases but Tapia pulled out to end the threat.
Back-to-back singles and a sacrificial bunt put two Boston runners in the scoring position in the fifth inning. Manoah responded by fanning Bradley and taking Refsnyder to the groundout to keep the game tied.
Springer put a charge into a declared crowd of 27,601 at the Rogers Center when he turned a 0-1 fastball for his 15th homer of the season. His defensive skills were also in form, as he made a fine diving catch on a sinking liner from JD Martinez in the sixth inning.
Xander Bogarts singled out later in the frame and scored on Verdugo’s sixth homer of the year.
Pivetta was pulled after Bigio was issued a leadoff walk in the seventh inning. The Canadian was treated to a chorus as he walked into the dugout.
Toronto also won in the eighth inning. Lourdes Gurrill Jr. hit a singles double and pinch-runner Bradley Zimmer scored a tapia double on off reliever Ryan Brassier.
The Red Sox had a runner at third base with one in the ninth inning against Jordan Romano, but he hit pinch-hitter Bobby Dalbeck and got Bradley on the flyout.
It took three hours 54 minutes to play this game.
pitching plans
Potential pitchers for Toronto’s upcoming five-match series against Tampa Bay have yet to be formally unveiled, but manager Charlie Montoyo said UC Kikuchi was tabbed for Thursday night’s opener.
Jose Berios will pitch on Friday and Kevin Gossman will start on Saturday, although it was not determined whether he would start Game 1 or 2 of the doubleheader.
martin honor
Former Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin will be honored during pre-game celebrations on Canada Day to recognize his impact on Canadian baseball.
The four-time All-Star was born in Toronto and raised in Montreal. Martin played 1,693 big-league matches in 14 seasons before retiring last month.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 29, 2022.
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