All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 6-1 loss to the Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight.
BOX SCORE:
HEADLINES
Bats stymied by Stroman: The Red Sox had been averaging nearly seven runs per game over the previous 10 games, but you wouldn't have known it watching them against Toronto starter Marcus Stroman. The Sox strung together three straight hits in the second -- though couldn't produce a run -- but other than that, could manage only two more singles the rest of the way as Stroman went six innings. "Stroman's good,'' said Brock Holt. "He throws pretty much everything and to both sides of the plate. Today, he had his stuff working. So, tip your cap to him.'' And on the few occasions that the Sox could get something going at the plate, they once again were unable to produce a hit with men on base. They finished the day 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, a failing that has become so common that it's as if it's habit-forming. Things didn't improve much when Stroman left after six, though, eventually, the Sox did produce an extra-base hit (a leadoff double from Eduardo Nunez in the ninth) and thanks to an error, were able to avoid the indignity of a shutout.
Porcello stumbles: The Blue Jays have regularly pounded Rick Porcello (5.29 career ERA) in the past, but when Porcello shut them down on just three hits and a run last month in Toronto, it seemed like the start of a new era. After all, many of the veteran Toronto hitters were gone from the roster, and maybe his outing in May was a sign of things to come. Or, maybe not. Porcello had one of his shakiest outings of the season Sunday, giving up five runs in six innings. "The game was relatively under control (Jays 2-0) going into the sixth inning,'' said Porcello. "But I've got to be better. I walked two guys, gave up a big double to (Freddy) Galvis and put us in a tough hole. Runs and hits were tough to come by and you can't give up tack-on runs.'' As for his struggles against the Jays, Porcello is at loss to explain. "I couldn't tell you, to be honest with you,'' sighed Porcello. "I come up with a game plan and prepare just like I do for every other start. For whatever reason, these guys have had my number the last couple of years.''
Holt injured, but not worried: In the second inning, Brock Holt reached on a one-out single and moved to second on another single. And when Jackie Bradley Jr. singled to left, Holt broke for third. Just one problem: as he reached third, he felt his hamstring tighten, and when third base coach Andy Barkett sent him home, he was out easily at home plate. Holt came out of the game an inning later, replaced at third by Eduardo Nunez. "I kind of felt a little grab there,'' said Holt. "It wasn't anything where I was worried about it; I just kind of noticed it.'' Holt got some treatment after he came out of the game and reported improvement after the game. Holt is confident he can avoid going on the IL. "We're grinding right now and have some guys going through some stuff,'' said Holt. "I'm hoping this would be more than a day or so.''
TURNING POINT
In the sixth inning, things began poorly for Porcello, with a leadoff walk and then a double to Freddy Galvis. Then things got worse as he the righthander balked home one runner from third and the other from second to third. "It was entirely my fault,'' said Porcello. "I saw (Christian Vazquez's) hands go up and I stepped off the mound with the wrong foot. I thought time was out, but time hadn't been given.''
ONE UP
Josh Smith: If nothing else, in relief of Porcello, Smith gave the Red Sox three decent innings (one run), allowing the team to give the rest of the bullpen the day off.
ONE DOWN
Xander Bogaerts: For the first time in eight games, Bogaerts didn't have a double. In fact, he didn't have a hit in four at-bats, stranding four baserunners.
QUOTE OF NOTE:
"Today, we didn't show up. It's disappointing. We expect better things out of the group.'' Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Mookie Betts had his 21st multi-hit game and third in his last seven games.
- Christian Vazquez extended his hitting streak to a career-best nine games.
- Andrew Benintendi has reached base safely in 21 of his last 22 games.