Boston pitcher Payton Tolle delivered a dominant performance, holding the Blue Jays to just two hits over eight innings, while Caleb Durbin’s eighth-inning grand slam propelled the Red Sox to a 7-0 victory over Toronto on Thursday. Durbin’s 12th home run of the season came off Blue Jays reliever Chase Lee, helping the Red Sox (65-56) secure a win in the four-game series.
Despite the loss, the Blue Jays have won 11 of their last 17 games, moving closer to the American League’s third wild-card spot. The series against the Red Sox was a positive start to Toronto’s upcoming games against the New York Yankees and the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays.
Red Sox southpaw Tolle, who has won his last seven starts, limited the Blue Jays to just two hits and two walks while striking out four in his 91-pitch outing at Rogers Centre. The game started with a walk to Charles McAdoo, who later advanced to third base but was left stranded as Tolle shut down the Blue Jays’ offense for the remainder of the game.
Max Scherzer achieved a career milestone by pitching his 3,000th inning, but he expressed disappointment as the Blue Jays fell to the Red Sox. Scherzer, plagued by injuries earlier in the season, persevered through challenges to reach this milestone, emphasizing his commitment to competing and winning.
The Red Sox secured their lead early in the game and extended it in the ninth inning, ultimately clinching the victory. In a key moment, Scherzer managed to escape a bases-loaded situation in the fourth inning, showcasing his resilience on the mound.
Despite a recent losing streak, the Red Sox have maintained a strong record since the trade deadline, highlighting their competitiveness in the league. The upcoming series will feature Toronto’s Shane Bieber facing off against New York Yankees’ Gerrit Cole on Friday.