Springers big blast sends Blue Jays to exhilarating series win over Bosox
Author of the article:
Frank ZicarelliPublishing date:
Aug 08, 2021 • 16 minutes ago • 4 minute read • Join the conversation
Toronto Blue Jays centre fielder George Springer (4) reacts after hitting a home run against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Photo by John E. Sokolowski /USA TODAY Sports Article content George Springer sprung to life when the Blue Jays needed their big-ticket free agent in the biggest of moments.
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Article contentIn a season dotted with clutch home runs, including Saturday’s walk-off blast by Marcus Semien, Springer’s long ball in Sunday’s series finale may have been the most dramatic and most important, for now, for a Jays team that has clearly found its rhythm.
Down for most of the afternoon but hardly out given the quality of Toronto’s lineup, one mighty eight-inning swing by Springer off his former college teammate â€" Red Sox closer Matt Barnes â€" did the trick as the Jays rallied for a 9-8 victory to take three of four in the weekend series.
The Jays hadn’t been home in two years, but made up for the lost time by putting together a 9-2 run at the Rogers Centre, before heading out west to face the Angels in Anaheim on Tuesday.
If they can carry this momentum on the road then the Jays figure to be legitimate contenders for the playoffs. At 60-50, they are three games back of both Boston and Oakland who hold the two AL wild-card spots.
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Article contentBeing back home and the moves management made before and at the trade deadline day have clearly provided a massive spark to a team that is rolling.
“That game tells you everything about our team,’’ said skipper Charlie Montoyo in his post-game Zoom call. “I don’t know what’s going to happen from now on, but that tells you the heart on this team.â€
Trailing 8-6 in the eighth, with two out and Breyvic Valera on first with a single, Reese McGuire worked Barnes for a nine-pitch walk â€" and was so pumped he even did his own bat flip before trotting down to first. That set the table for Springer, who launched a 2-2 pitch into the into the second deck in left-centre.
“A huge win for us for sure,†Springer said. “We just fought and battled and scratched and clawed all day.â€
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Article contentWith Hyun-Jin Ryu on the mound Sunday, the Jays were expecting the crafty lefty to put the exclamation mark on the homestand. As it turned out, there wasn’t much Ryu could do to stifle Boston’s bats.
Simply put, Ryu struggled with his command and didn’t get out of the fourth inning.
He left with the Jays trailing 4-2 and the bases loaded â€" all three runners scoring against reliever Patrick Murphy.
The 10 hits Ryu gave up tied a season high and all seven runs were charged to him.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who hasn’t hit well during the homestand, pulled the Jays closer with a two-run homer in the fifth inning off Boston starter Garrett Richards, his 35th long ball of the season.
Guerrero would later steal second, one of two on the day for the Jays, though they were pretty sloppy on the base paths and basically ran into outs.
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Article contentEven when the Jays made their base-running blunders, Montoyo knew the crowd â€" which was quite quiet for the first several innings â€" remained behind the team.
“Every time we do something they (fans) get louder,’’ he added. “It puts more pressure on the other team. The energy this place gives you is huge. We haven’t had that.
“When we played Boston in Buffalo (Sahlen Field) was full of Boston fans.â€
Ryu got to pitch for the first time as a Blue Jay in Toronto. In fact, he got to pitch twice during the homestand.
Sunday was not one of his finest hours. But no one will remember his struggles after what Springer did and what the Jays accomplished during their homestand.
“Everything came off in a very positive way,’’ said Ryu through an interpreter of the homestand.“We have high hopes to try to contendâ€
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Article contentSHIN HAPPENS
Bo Bichette was given his first day off of the season on Sunday, a day of rest for Toronto’s starting shortstop who has taken more than his share of foul balls off his shins.
Throw in Monday’s travel day for the team and Sunday seemed the ideal time to sit Bichette. Semien was back in his natural position at shortstop with Valera at second.
For the record, Bichette is listed as day-to-day, but everyone expects him to be back in the lineup Tuesday.
BY THE NUMBERS
Jordan Romano shut down the Bosox in the ninth inning for his 10th save … Ryu didn’t complete four innings for just the second time this season, the first playing out in Tampa when he left the game with a glute strain … Springer’s 14th home run traveled 442 feet, his second-longest dinger of the season. He also singled, walked and reached base on an error to scored four times … In 21 games batting leadoff, Springer has scored 23 runs … Vlad Jr. joins George Bell as the only players in club history to hit 35 homers in the first 110 games of a season. Eerily enough, during Bell’s MVP season in 1987, he also hit No. 35 on Aug. 8
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FOR SALE
LHP Chris Sale will soon rejoin the Red Sox and should provide Boston’s rotation with a shot in the arm. Boston manager Alex Cora announced Sale has completed his rehab stint and is scheduled to start Saturday against Baltimore. Sale hasn’t pitched in almost two years following Tommy John surgery.
Boston was without outfielder Alex Verdugo, who left the team Sunday on a paternity leave. J.D. Martinez and Jarren Duran were reinstated from the COVID injured list.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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