September 21, 2024

Boston Red Sox give up 8 runs in 3rd inning as Blue Jays rout them, 9-3; Xander Bogaerts, Tommy Pham leave game (back spasms)

Red Sox #RedSox

BOSTON — A game that started an hour late due to rain ended in familiar fashion for the Red Sox, who once got blown out by an American League East opponent Tuesday night.

The Blue Jays, who authored a 28-5 trouncing of the Sox just a month ago, pounded them again, this time by the score of 9-3. Starter Josh Winckowski bent but didn’t break through his first two innings before the floodgates opened and Toronto scored eight runs in the third, almost all with two outs.

The loss dropped the Red Sox to 3-11 against Toronto this season, 16-33 against the AL East and 60-63 overall. Astonishingly, they have been outscored by the Blue Jays by 36 runs (91-55) in 14 games.

The Red Sox drew first blood against righty Ross Stripling, as Christian Arroyo led off the second with a double then scored on a Kiké Hernández RBI single. Winckowski pitched two scoreless frames to start despite giving up extra-base hits in each.

Jackie Bradley Jr. started Toronto’s third-inning fun with a double before Winckowski got back-to-back groundouts. Then came the onslaught. The next eight batters reached and seven scored as Winckowski gave up three hits and issued two walks before giving way to lefty Austin Davis. A three-run triple from George Springer off Davis broke things open and put the Jays up 8-1. Toronto would add a ninth run in the seventh when Bradley, who was 2-for-3 with two runs in his Fenway Park return, hit an RBI single off Hirokazu Sawamura.

Boston’s second run scored on a Cavan Biggio double play ball in the bottom of the seventh. Rafael Devers made it 9-3 with an RBI single off David Phelps in the ninth.

Winckowski was tagged for six earned runs on six hits in 2⅔ innings and his ERA rose to 5.83. The rookie now has a 7.71 ERA in his last eight starts dating to July 7 (37⅓ innings). Davis’ ERA rose to 5.33. It was at 1.46 on June 12. He has allowed 27 earned runs in his last 28 appearances (8.68 ERA).

Bogaerts, Pham leave game

Two Red Sox starters– shortstop Xander Bogaerts and left fielder Tommy Pham — left the game with back spasms.

Pham, who dealt with back issues over the weekend, left Tuesday’s game in the top of the third after slamming into the Green Monster on Bradley’s leadoff double. The Red Sox announced that he is day-to-day.

Bogaerts was replaced defensively in the top of the seventh, with Hernández shifting from center field to shortstop.

Bello might get nod Wednesday

Rookie right-hander Brayan Bello (0-3, 8.47 ERA) is in line to come off the injured list and start Wednesday’s game for the Red Sox, though the Red Sox have not officially announced a starter yet. Righty José Berríos (9-5, 5.39 ERA) will pitch for Toronto.

If Bello starts, it will be his first big league appearance since Aug. 4 and his first start in the majors since July 24, when he allowed five runs

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Related links:

Are the Red Sox still relevant in Boston? Tony Massarotti weighs in on latest Fenway Rundown podcast

Triston Casas wasn’t considered for Boston Red Sox promotion over Franchy Cordero, per Alex Cora: ‘We haven’t talked about that recently’

Red Sox injuries: Trevor Story to begin rehab assignment at Double-A on Wednesday; Tanner Houck back to throwing and may return this season

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