It took 16 position players, a dozen pitchers and 19 innings, but the Red Sox finally snapped their three-game losing streak.
What a journey.
Hanley Ramirez singled home Mookie Betts in the bottom of the 19th inning, giving the Red Sox their most dramatic – and most-needed – walk-off win of the year, 3-2 over Toronto.
The Red Sox had rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and send it to extra innings.
After mustering just three hits through the first eight innings, the Sox used a walk from Andrew Benintendi, a double by Betts and two groundouts to push two runs across against Toronto closer Roberto Osuna.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez saw his winless streak extend to 10 starts, but turned in his best outing in some time. He allowed two runs over six innings, but showed improved command (one walk) while harnessing the power of his fastball for eight strikeouts.
He also did a far better job mixing in his secondary pitches early in the game and avoiding the big inning that has plagued many of his starts this season.
The Jays took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Teoscar Hernandez delivered Kevin Pillar with a sacrifice fly. Toronto doubled its lead in the sixth when Kendrys Morales homered into the Monster Seats for his second homer in as many nights.
GAME NO.: 139
WHO: Red Sox (77-61) vs Toronto Blue Jays (64-74)
WHEN: 7:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park
TV: NESN
RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM)
PITCHERS: Eduardo Rodriguez (4-5, 4.40) vs. Marco Estrada (7-8, 5.23)
BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday
IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:
- Tonight marked the fifth straight game in which the opposition scored first. Obviously, that's not optimal for any team, and it's especially true for the Red Sox, who are not a quick-strike offensive team.
- This was Eduardo Rodriguez's best start in some time and encouraging for the Red Sox, who have watched him struggle over the last few weeks, giving up four or more runs in three of his last four outings. Rodriguez allowed two runs over six innings while issuing just one walk to go with eight strikeouts. Rodriguez largely got ahead of hitters and was slightly more economical than he's been in the recent past. Another good sign: he started to incorporate his secondary pitches earlier than usual and stayed away from the big innings that have dogged him.
- The Sox' last hit came back in the third inning. Since that last hit -- a one-out single by Dustin Pedroia -- Marco Estrada retired 15 of the last 16 hitters he faced. That's quite a feat - especially for someone who came into tonight with a 5.23 ERA.
- Jackie Bradley Jr's defensive brilliance knows no bounds. In the top of the 11th, with the potential go-ahead run at third, Bradley did everything right. As Justin Smoak hit a fly ball to medium center, Bradley circled back and got in position for a running start. He caught the ball on the run, and then used his momentum to uncork a perfect, one-hop throw just to the third base side of home to cut down Jose Bautista as part of an inning-ending double play.
- The Red Sox activated reliever Carson Smith from the 60-day disabled list Tuesday afternoon, marking his return from Tommy John surgery performed in May of 2016. Smith made 11 rehab appearances with Portland and Pawtucket, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits with six strikeouts and six walks. He held opponents scoreless in six of his final seven outings. To make room for Smith's activation, the Red Sox designated pitcher Kyle Martin for assignment.