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Here we are, the last Monday game of the 2024 season. We’re looking at the teams in fourth and fifth place in the AL East. Worst and second worst. Oh well, at least Rafael Devers doesn’t need surgery.
Game action
The two teams’ starting pitchers couldn’t have been more different, and the Jays as a team looked sluggish, or perhaps exhausted. Toronto’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt walked three of the first five Red Sox batters. Bassitt was completely off the mark: He set a career high for walks (two of which were scores), received a balk, got into an argument with the umpire… and the Sox took advantage. Every run scored in the second and third innings started as a walk. The balk sent Nick Sogard to third base, and he scored on the next play.
On the other side was Tanner Houck, who entered the game still hoping for his first win of the second half of the season. He pitched well, managing a perfect game and a no-hitter until the fifth inning. He lost both to consecutive batters after allowing a walk and then a single. The Jays’ contact while he was on the mound was pretty weak — mostly ground balls. He can be proud of finishing strong (if it’s the end).
Greg Weissert came in the sixth inning and immediately allowed two singles (more than Houck had allowed all game) and all the old uncomfortable feelings came flooding back. But the comeback was over and despite one (literally) last run scored by Toronto in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Sox had the game pretty easily in the bag.
The Sox issued ten walks tonight, a season high. While we didn’t have many strong hits and relied on Toronto’s unfortunate play (instead of taking advantage of our own opportunities), the Sox batters at least have to be credited with their good eye.
With this win we are one game over .500. Let’s see if it stays that way!
Bolt
Houck
One-two-three innings through four. Ten ground balls, very little good contact. Final score: 5.0 IP, 1H, 0R 1 BB, 0K.
Wilyer Abreu
2-3 with walk, double and single
Open-plan office
Although Greg Weissert (and then Chris Martin as closer) worried me at first, our bullpen pulled through, with those two (plus Luis Guerrero and Zach Penrod) allowing just five hits. That may not look great, especially with Martin allowing Toronto’s only run — but consider the usual state of our bullpen. Improvement!
Honorable Mention
Evend
1-3, 1R, 1H, 1BB. His double snapped a five-game hitting streak. When he looked up from second base, I read his lips as if he was saying “yes, please” to someone (umpire? dugout?), and it was adorable.
Unexploded bombs
Tyler O’Neill
As a DH in his home country, his bad luck continued. He just didn’t have it in him and you could see that he was frustrated.
Sox baserunning
Nothing unusual here, but Sox runners were thrown out at second base three times. Twice of those, they started as successful steals, although the runners (Story and Duran) were later intercepted. Once, Ceddanne Rafaela was caught stealing. We got by without that, but still.
Gameplay
In a game with only eleven goals, Duran’s three-pointer was the most exciting play of the game.
