The Jays won 4-1, and then they lost 4-1.
Let’s break it down.
What happened in Game 1?
A gutsy effort from Robbie Ray
It wasn’t pretty, but Robbie Ray put up one of his better performances of the season on Wednesday afternoon despite not really having his good stuff.
He walked 3, his slider was all over the place for most of the game, and he was getting himself into jams a bit too much.
It all started with a lead-off walk and a single to start the first inning, putting runners on second and third with nobody out with the meat of the Red Sox order coming up. Ray managed to get out of that inning with only 1 run scored thanks to some good defence from Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
After the Jays tied the game at 1 in the 2nd, Ray would get himself to even more trouble in the bottom half of the inning, loading the bases with nobody out. It was looking like it was gonna be a short outing for Robbie Ray.
Then he did this.
After putting runners on second and third with nobody out in the first and loading the bases with nobody out in the 2nd, Robbie Ray somehow found a way to get through both innings with only 1 run scored. Unbelievable. That alone gets him player of the game.
After getting through 5 innings on 97 pitches with a 4-1 lead, I was sure Robbie Ray was done. Nope. Charlie Montoyo decided to throw him back on the mound for the bottom of the 6th, and he didn’t disappoint, retiring the Red Sox in order.
I loved this decision. No Blue Jays bullpen arm outside of Jordan Romano (who looked great in this game) has proved they can be trusted in high leverage situations this season, so Charlie decided “hey, the bullpen can’t blow the game if you don’t use them at all, right?” and it worked.
A couple of clutch home runs
I haven’t really gotten into this yet, but Randal Grichuk has been absolutely terrible in the last two months. Since June 1st, he’s hitting .214 with a .645 OPS, has struck out 41 times, and has only walked 3 times. He has proved after a great couple of months that he is exactly who we thought he was. A power-hitting 4th outfielder who is allergic to walks.
With all that being said, he came up clutch in game 1 of this double hitter, putting a great swing on a belt-high fastball from Garrett Richards and sending it over the wall in centre to give the Jays a 3-1 lead.
He drove in 3 of the Jays’ 4 runs on the day. Nice work, Randy.
George Springer would extend the lead in the 5th, launching a lead-off, first-pitch home run over the green monster to gives the Jays a 4-1 lead, and that’s how the score would stand.
Never, ever take him out of the lead-off spot again.
What happened in game 2?
Nothing good
Steven Matz was VERY shaky in his game 2 start on Wednesday night, going just 3.1 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits. Ugh.
His biggest issue was just throwing too many meatballs. His pitches were catching far too much of the plate, and the Red Sox weren’t missing them. They were hitting darts all over the field against Matz all night.
He did a good job of limiting the damage, then George Springer decided to change that.
I know Springer isn’t exactly known for his stellar defence, but come on. A bobble in centre field allowed Jared Duran to come all the way around the bases and score, giving the Red Sox a 4-1 lead, and that’s where the score would stand.
1 good thing did happen. Lefty Kirby Snead made his major league debut for the Jays, coming into the 5th inning with runners on 1st and 2nd and 1 out, and he made a good first impression, inducing an inning-ending double play.
Not bad for your debut. Congratulations to Kirby on a great accomplishment.
Some Final Thoughts
So
The Yankees got Joey Gallo.
I really wanted the Jays to get Joey Gallo.
But they didn’t.
Why does it always have to be the Yankees, man?
Anyways, the Jays will try and split the 4-game series tomorrow at Fenway Park, and then it’s back to the Rogers Centre for the first time in nearly 2 years!!
Let’s go there in a good mood.