Blue Jays blow another lead, lose
TORONTO (CP) — September can’t come soon enough for the Blue Jays’ bullpen.
Toronto relievers surrendered four earned runs on five hits Monday night, including a two-run homer to Christian Vazquez, as the Boston Red Sox edged the Blue Jays 6-5.
Manager John Gibbons said his ’pen has been taxed and will benefit from next month’s call-ups.
“I know they’ve been working hard. Sooner or later, it catches up with you,” said Gibbons. “(With) Danny Barnes it was coming out good, he left the ball up and Vazquez hits the home run. (Ryan) Tepera walked the guy on four straight, you usually don’t see that too often.
“Major league season, that one extra month is a long year. We can expand in September, we can bring some more arms and we don’t have to use them all the time. That should help.”
Vazquez hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as the Red Sox snapped a four-game losing streak.
Eduardo Nunez also homered for Boston (74-57) and Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland had an RBI apiece as the Red Sox extended their division lead to 3 1/2 games over the New York Yankees.
“Always with two strikes, they pitch me up and in. I was looking for that,” Vazquez said. “We needed that win to break the losing streak. We’re back. It’s fun to enjoy the game and get a couple of hits and win the game.”
Justin Smoak’s two-run home run in the ninth off closer Craig Kimbrel pulled the Blue Jays (61-70) to within one but the comeback stopped there. Kimbrel still picked up his 30th save. Kendrys Morales had two RBIs and Ryan Goins drove in one for Toronto, which has dropped eight of its last 10.
Barnes (2-5) pitched 1/3 inning and was charged with three earned on two hits.
Marcus Stroman went six innings, allowing two runs — one earned — on seven hits while striking out four in the no-decision.