(Toronto) Alex Verdugo hit a two-run double in 10e and the Boston Red Sox defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 6-5 on Wednesday to avoid a three-game series sweep.
Updated at 0:26
David Phelps (0-2) gave the visitors a 4-3 lead when he hit JD Martinez, after allowing two walks.
Verdugo then lodged the ball in the alley of left center field, facing Tim Mayza. The Red Sox are on their way to an eighth win in 10 games.
The Jays struggled well in the end of 10e, after two withdrawals. Matt Chapman singled and Santiago Espinal followed suit, this time for a run.
Cavan Biggio made things worse with a one-point double, before Matt Strahm (3-2) retired George Springer on a fly.
“We came just a little short, but we’re going to keep fighting,” Blue Jays starting pitcher Alek Manoah said.
Verdugo also homered, while Franchy Cordero had four of the Red Sox’s eight hits.
Springer shot a 15e long ball, in fifth. A set later, he also shone in defense with a very nice diving catch at the expense of Martinez, after a long run.
The day before, the Jays scored two runs in the ninth to earn a 6-5 win.
“It’s like playoff baseball every game,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. That’s the feeling it gives and that’s okay. It will continue like this. »
British Columbian Nick Pivetta allowed two runs and five hits in six innings.
Manoah, gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings.
Vladimir Guerrero had a 0-for-5 night, including three strikeouts.
The game was played in front of 27,601 people at the Rogers Centre.
Toronto will begin a five-game series against the Rays on Thursday. The Jays will delegate Yusei Kikuchi as a curtain raiser on Thursday night.
On Friday, the Blue Jays will pay tribute to former receiver Russell Martin, who played with them from 2015 to 2018.
Born in Toronto but raised in Montreal, Martin was part of four all-star teams. He played in 1,693 Major League Baseball games in 14 seasons.
Martin announced his retirement last month.
The Jays have also signed veteran Sergio Romo to a one-year contract.
The 39-year-old reliever won the World Series in 2010, 2012 and 2014 with the San Francisco Giants.
He was recently released by the Seattle Mariners, having posted an average of 8.16 in 17 games.
He has 137 career saves, including 84 with the Giants, his club from 2008 to 2016.
The Californian played with Tampa Bay in 2017 and 2018, when Montoyo was on the Rays staff.
