Well, that was eventful, now wasn’t it?
In terms of important series’ in the season, this one for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox is about as important as they come.
And on Tuesday night, it took a full nine innings and every dang hit for the Toronto Blue Jays to come from behind after blowing a 4-1 lead to win. The comeback was in thanks to Jordan Romano shutting the door in the top of the ninth, Alejandro Kirk doing the thing, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walking it off.
H I M 💥 #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/ST4MZzPble
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 29, 2022
While the win was ever-so-sweet, it also highlighted the ongoing issues the Jays have had with their bullpen this season. Trent Thornton and Tim Mayza, who combined for 1.1 IP, allowed three earned runs after the Jays took a 4-1 lead.
The Jays got a good start out of Ross Stripling who went 5.0 innings allowing two earn runs while fanning three batters but uh… things didn’t go too great from there. Toronto put Adam Cimber into the game who went one inning allowing just one hit, which was a good sign.
Charlie Montoyo went with Trent Thornton to open the eighth and uh, it didn’t go great. He walked Franchy Cordero, then forced Christian Arroyo into a ground out taking the former off the field. The lineup flipped back to the top and Red Sox lead-off man Rob Refsnyder juiced a 425-footer over the wall.
After 0.2 IP, Tim Mayza came into the game allowing a single to Rafael Devers, before striking out J.D. Martinez. But in the top of the eighth, he allowed an RBI single against Christian Vazquez extending Boston’s lead to 5-4. Matt Gage came in and closed out the inning setting up a tense ninth.
Jordan Romano did his thing in the top of the inning, and in the bottom of the ninth, the Jays were at the top of the order. Instead of bringing leadoff man Raimel Tapia to the plate, Montoyo did the smart thing pinch-hitting Alejandro Kirk, who did the thing singling into left field. George Springer walked, bringing Bo Bichette to the plate with two on. He singled on a ground ball scoring Bradley Zimmer, who pinch-ran for Kirk, while advancing Springer to second. 5-5.
With Rogers Center on its feet, The Big Man Vladimir Guerrero Jr. came to the plate smashing an RBI single into left field that bounced through the hole allowing Springer to waltz home.
As Tanner Houck continues to be unvaccinated, the Jays were able beat up on the Red Sox bullpen with Tyler Danish choking in the ninth and Hansel Robles allowing hits to Bichette and Vladdy.
Toronto has a chance to sweep the three-game series Wednesday night when Alek Manoah takes the mound against Nick Pivetta.
I'm 80% sure this is Dylan Strome yelling "Fuck you, Danish" after the reliever threw up-and-in to George Springer pic.twitter.com/aySyE7On9A
— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) June 29, 2022
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at [email protected]
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