Granderson walk-off HR in 10th lifts Jays
Against Boston Red Sox ace Rick Porcello, a three-run second inning is considered a major offensive outburst.
And for the longest time on Tuesday night at the Rogers Centre, it looked like it was going to be plenty of offence for the Toronto Blue Jays to get a jump on the runaway train that is their AL East rival.
If only it was that easy as closer Roberto Osuna squandered a brilliant starting effort from J.A. Happ.
In the end, Curtis Granderson saved the day for the Jays when he belted a solo, walk-off home run to right field in the bottom of the 10th to give the Jays a 4-3 win.
It should never have gotten that far, given that Osuna was handed the ball and a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth.
Osuna blew his first save of the season, allowing two Red Sox runs, but the Jays came back with the dramatic Granderson blast, the fourth walk-off homer of his career.
As strong as Porcello has been this season, the Jays had a sensational starter of their own in big lefty Happ.
Happ has been the rock of the rotation so far as Marcus Stroman has struggled and Aaron Sanchez is looking to return to form after missing most of the 2017 season.
Facing the most prolific offence in the big leagues so far this season, Happ struck out 10 and allowed just four hits and one run through seven innings of work.
While there was no panic after winning just one of four against the Yankees in New York on the weekend, scoring first against the Red Sox was a notable accomplishment.
As well, the Jays improved to 8-3 at the Rogers Centre this season after winning just two of their first 11 here last year.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, lost their third in a row and suddenly the Jays are just three back in the AL East.
Happ has been particularly solid against a division known for killer bats over the past few seasons. In nine starts against AL East opponents last season, Happ had a 2.21 ERA and in four games against the Red Sox allowed just five earned runs over 23.2 innings.
“If he’s on and he’s got life to his fastball and he’s locating it pretty good, he’s going to be tough on anybody,” Jays manager John Gibbons said.
“He definitely has a different approach than the other guys.”