The Boston Red Sox had runners on second and third with nobody out, down 3-1 in the bottom of the ninth as they finally had life against the Toronto Blue Jays after Kevin Gausman hurled 8+ dominant innings. Xander Bogaerts set up the chance with an RBI double.
But, Alex Verdugo grounded out to score a run, and that was followed by another pair of groundouts from Bobby Dalbec and Jackie Bradley Jr. to end the game. Dalbec’s groundout was right to third base not allowing the runner on third, Bogaerts, to score.
Gausman hurled a dazzling eight innings but was pulled immediately in the ninth after Trevor Story knocked a first-pitch base hit to lead off the ninth inning.
Tanner Houck, Boston’s starter, hurled a solid five innings, letting up two runs in the third inning. Bo Bichette put Toronto on the board with an RBI single that was later followed with a sac fly from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., though Houck set down six straight in innings four and five to end his outing.
Ryan Brasier wasn’t so fortunate on the mound though as he couldn’t even make it out of the sixth. A two-out base on balls to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. brought up Matt Chapman, who delivered with an RBI single to score Guerrero Jr. — who doubled — that ended up being the winning run.
Austin Davis was summoned on to finish the inning and he, Hirokazu Sawamura, and Phillips Valdez would combine for 3.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Will Venable manages after Alex Cora tests positive
Will Venable managed his second career game with Boston after Alex Cora tested positive for COVID twice earlier this morning. He adds to the list of Christian Vazquez (who returned), Kevin Plawecki, and Jonathan Arauz, as well as two additional anonymous staff members.
Upcoming
The Red Sox take on the Rays for a three-game series before travelling to Toronto.
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