Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.
TORONTO – Jonatan Clase, who was recently called up, had the opportunity to lead off for the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night.
The 22-year-old outfielder took full advantage in a 6-1 win over the Boston Red Sox that ended a five-game losing streak.
Clase reached base four times and hit his first career home run to help the Blue Jays avoid a three-game sweep.
“I thought he controlled the zone very well,” Toronto manager John Schneider said. “He showed everything we heard and saw from him: power and speed.”
Kevin Gausman threw six strong innings and Alejandro Kirk drove in three runs for the Blue Jays (74-85). Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two of Toronto’s 11 hits.
Clase was acquired from Seattle last July in the deadline deal that saw reliever Yimi Garcia go to the Mariners. He was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo last week.
“I know I can do different things for my team but my main goal is to try to get on the bottom,” said Clase through interpreter Hector Lebron. “If I can get on site, I can help my team a lot.”
Gausman (14-11) allowed four hits and one earned run for his third straight win. Brendon Little, Erik Swanson and Chad Green each threw a scoreless frame.
Related Videos
Jarren Duran had two hits and scored the lone run for the Red Sox (80-79). The loss eliminated Boston from postseason contention.
Get the latest national news
For news affecting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.
“I am proud of what this club has been able to do and what we have achieved,” said Duran. “It’s a good building block for next year and I’m very proud of this team.”
Richard Fitts (0-1) made his fourth career start for Boston. He didn’t give up an earned run in his first three starts, settling for no decisions despite pitching at least five innings in each appearance.
Toronto nearly ended its streak in the first inning. Clase singled and reached third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout but Kirk lined out to end the threat.
The Blue Jays got to Fitts in the fourth when Guerrero doubled and came around on Kirk’s double. Kirk moved to third base on a groundout and scored when Ernie Clement singled through the left side of the infield.
In the fifth inning, Nathan Lukes dropped his second sacrifice bunt of the game to move Tyler Heineman to third and Clase to second.
Kirk drove in both runners by hitting a ball off the wall near the right field corner. The slow-footed catcher was thrown out to second base to end the inning after both runners had crossed the plate.
Kirk’s 17-game hitting streak is a career high and the longest active streak in the American League.
Gausman threw five shutout frames before Boston reached the sixth. Duran hit a leadoff double and scored as Triston Casas lined a single to right field.
Fitts allowed six hits, four earned runs and two walks while striking out two over five innings. Gausman fanned three batters and issued three walks.
Clase hit a two-run shot in the seventh inning off Red Sox reliever Josh Winckowski. Guerrero had a bloop single later in the frame to leave him three away from the 200 hit plateau for the season.
The roof of the Rogers Center opened just before the first pitch. The announced attendance was 27,694 and the game took two hours 31 minutes to play.
BICHETTE’S UPDATE
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette was scheduled to undergo surgery Wednesday to repair his broken right middle finger.
He suffered the season-ending injury last week while taking grounders during infield practice.
Schneider said a pin would be used to help address “a little bit of dislocation” in Bichette’s finger. A recovery timetable was not provided but Bichette is expected to be ready for spring training.
TRAINING SHOP
Blue Jays field coordinator Gil Kim served as first base coach in the series finale against the Red Sox.
Regular first base coach Mark Budzinski moved across the diamond to fill in for third base coach Carlos Febles, who had knee surgery Tuesday.
COMING UP
The Blue Jays have an off day on Thursday before starting their final series of the season on Friday against the visiting Miami Marlins.
The Red Sox will return home to prepare for Friday’s opener of a three-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays.
This report was first published by The Canadian Press on September 25, 2024.
Follow @GregoryStrongCP on X.
& copy 2024 The Canadian Press
(Except translation, this story has not been edited by achinews staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
source link https://globalnews.ca/news/10775690/jays-beat-red-sox-to-end-five-game-losing-skid/
