The Boston Red Sox won the series opener against Toronto. They’re 53-49. They hold the second Wild Card spot now in the American League. They’re 6.5 games back of the Rays for first in the American League East.
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Game Recap
The Red Sox got on the board in the first with a solo home run from Anthony Seigler. They added to that lead with a two-run home run from Ceddanne Rafaela in the third. They would add another run in the sixth on an Andruw Monasterio sacrifice fly to make it 4-0. The Blue Jays came back with a three-run home run in the top of the seventh. Toronto would tie it in the eighth. In the home half, Romy Gonzalez, as a pinch-hitter, would double home a run, then Seigler would double home Gonzalez to make it 6-4 and put the game away.
Patrick Sandoval went a scoreless 4.2 innings, allowing five hits. He walked two and struck out three. The bullpen combined to allow all four runs. Garrett Whitlock got the win, improving to 6-1. He went an inning, allowing a run on two hits. He didn’t allow a walk and struck out one. Aroldis Chapman, who picked up his 24th save.
Standout Performer
Anthony Seigler went 4-4, finishing a triple shy of the cycle. He drove in two and scored two as well.
Key News & Notes
The Red Sox top prospect Franklin Arias has been promoted to Triple-A Worcester following Thursday night’s game. In 75 games at Portland, he hit .318 with a .993 OPS. He had 17 doubles, a triple, 19 home runs, 52 RBI, and 50 runs scored. He was second in the Eastern League in batting average, first in OPS, tied for third in home runs, and tied for seventh in RBI.
The Red Sox, according to Bob Nightengale, are eyeing shortstops Zach Neto or CJ Abrams. They view Neto as the perfect fit. Neto, in 100 games entering Friday night, was hitting .238 with a .771 OPS. He had 21 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 46 RBI, and 69 runs scored. He was tied for the American League lead in runs. Abrams, in 99 games entering play Friday night, was hitting .286 with a .904 OPS. He has 20 doubles, two triples, 24 home runs, 76 RBI, and 62 runs scored.
The Red Sox will have Sonny Gray on the mound, making his 19th start of the season. He’s 12-1 with a 2.48 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 90 strikeouts in 101.2 innings. In his last seven starts, he’s 5-0 with a 1.59 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts in 45.1 innings. In his last three starts, he’s 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA, a 1.17 WHIP, and 15 strikeouts in 18 innings. He’s faced Toronto once this season, going seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four but didn’t factor into the decision.
Farm Report
- Worcester Red Sox (AAA): Mickey Gasper went 3-5 with two doubles and two runs scored in a 6-4 win over Jacksonville.
- Portland Sea Dogs (AA): Brooks Brannon went 2-4 with two RBI, a run scored, and a walk in an 8-1 win over Binghamton.
- Greenville Drive (A+): Devin Futrell went 6.2 innings in game two. He allowed a run on two hits. He walked one and struck out nine as Greenville split the doubleheader.
- Salem RidgeYaks (A): Skylar King went 3-4 with an RBI in a 5-3 win over Augusta.
- FCL Red Sox (ROK): The FCL Red Sox season has come to an end; they finished the season 23-33 and missed the playoffs.
- DSL Red Sox Red (ROK): Gustavo Antunez went 3-3 with four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in an 18-3 win over DSL Brewers Blue
- DSL Red Sox Blue (ROK): Freyerso Vasquez went 1-3 with a triple and an RBI in an 8-4 win over DSL Royals Ventura.
