Terrific start for Ray, Jays win

Blue Jays 4 Red Sox 1

Robbie Ray is unbelievable.

He pitched himself in and out of trouble for the first couple of innings and was just dominant late. I can’t say enough about how good he was.

• In the first, Red Sox had runners on first and third, no one out, and Ray allowed just one run (and only because it was early in the game and the infield was back).
• In the second, Ray loaded the bases, with no one out. And he got out of it with two strikeouts and a fly-out.

The Red Sox got two on in the fifth, but that was mainly because an easy fly ball fell between Springer and Grichuk for a leadoff double.

He was near 100 pitches and had worked hard, though five innings, and I was sure he was out of the game, but Charlie sent him our for the sixth, and it was the right move. Lourdes Gurriel made a very lovely sliding catch, and then Ray got two strikeouts.

In total, Ray gave up 5 hits and 3 walks, with 8 strikeouts in his 6 innings. The work of an Ace.

Jordan Romero gave us a drama-free ninth for the save.

And Randal Grichuk was the offensive star. So please let this be the start of another hot streak.

Grichuk drove home our first run with a ground ball that Red Sox starter Garrett Richards knocked down and then, somewhat comically, couldn’t find, in part because he was looking for the ball in the air for some reason. Bo Bichette, who walked, stole second, and went to third on a ground ball, scored.

In the fourth, Randal homered (to dead center), bringing home Gurriel, who had a double.

George Springer homered over the Green Monster for our other run.

Springer started the game with a double but then was thrown out tagging up from second to third on a medium fly to center. It was a close play (called safe on the field, but quickly corrected in replay). Just a bad play on Springer’s part, but since he homered, we will forgive.

Lourdes had a nice day in the field. As well as the sliding catch, he made a nice jumping catch at the wall in left. I like Fenway left field for Lourdes. The wall is so close. He can’t play so damn deep.

Cavan Biggio made an excellent barehanded play and throw. In addition, his defense has been great since the break.

I’m generally not a fan of the seven-inning doubleheaders, but it is good to have a break before tonight’s game. It is a 7:00 Eastern start.

Jays of the Day: Ray (.280 WPA), Grichuk (.314), and Springer (.110).

Suckage: Vlad had the number, but I think they gave him a negative for Springer being thrown out at third. Teoscar had a deserved -.096 for an 0 for 3, 2 k.

With the quick game (2:36), we had just 255 comments. I led us to a very needed win.