Blue Jays 5 Red Sox 4
I didn't think we were going to pull that one out.
Ricky Romero really worked hard today. He was hurt by some missed plays on defense. Adam Loewen over ran a rolling ball, allowing Dustin Pedroia go from first to third on a single. The next batter got on on a Brett Lawrie error, ball went under his glove on a play where he was hoping for a double play. Lawrie made another error on a ball he charged hard in the 4th inning, it likely would have been a close play had he come up with it clean.
Ricky went 8 innings, allowing just 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 earned, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, with 1 home run to Adrian Gonzalez, who left the game after that. He must have hurt something.
Frank Francisco got the save, pitching a 1, 2, 3 9th inning, getting 2 strikeouts and a soft fly.
On offense, we got 2 runs in the first, off singles by Eric Thames, Edwin Encarnacion and Kelly Johnson, with a walk to Bautista mixed in there. Then we got 3 more runs in the 8th. Daniel Bard had trouble finding the plate. He walked Edwin and Johnson. Then, even though Bard couldn't find the plate, Mark Teahen bunted and Bard threw wide of 1st, loading the bases. J.P. Arencibia drove in a run on a ground out then Adam Loewen hit a 2 run single to give us the lead.
We had other chances to score. In the 6th Lawrie was hit by pitch to start the inning, stole second and went to third on Varitek's throwing error. But we didn't get him home. JP flied out, not quick deep enough and Loewen ground out, Lawrie was running on contact and ran Varitek but Jason held onto the ball. Lawrie left the game with a 'knee contusion' and is day to day. Then Loewen was picked off first.
In the 5th Baustista and Lind singled to have runners on the corners but Jose didn't try to tag up on Edwin's line out to left (left field isn't very deep in Fenway) and Johnson ground out.
We had 8 hits on the day. 2 each for Loewen and EE. 0 fors to McCoy (0 for 5), Lawrie (0 for 2, with the hit by pitch) and JP (0 for 4 with an RBI).
Jays of the Day are Frankie (.221 WPA), Johnson (.100) and Loewen (.095). Teahen has a .134 WPA but I'm not giving him a JoD for reaching on an error. Romero had a .060 but I am giving him a JoD. Suckage goes to McCoy (-.173). Escobar can't get healthy fast enough.
Loewen had some adventures on the base paths, getting picked off first then getting thrown out trying to go 1st to 3rd on a ground out, but since he drove in the game winning run just before that, I'll let it go this time.
Friday we start a 3 game series against the Yankees. Brett Cecil (4-9, 4.37) goes up against CC Sabathia (19-8, 2.93).