All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 7-4 win over the Blues Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Bogaerts makes history: It's been obvious for some time that Xander Bogaerts was going to reach 50 doubles this season. But this month, the two-base hit pace had slowed some. Before Thursday, Bogaerts had gone four straight games without one and had only one in his last eight games. Finally, however, Bogaerts took care of business in the third inning, smacking a double to right for No. 50. That gave the Red Sox two players with 50 doubles in a single season for the first time in history. The Sox are just the second American League team since 1947 to have two players reach that milestone. And Bogaerts becomes the second shortstop in baseball history to hit 30 or more homers and collect 50 or more doubles; Alex Rodriguez is the other. "For him to buy into the concept of driving the ball has been great,'' said Alex Cora. "We're very proud of him. It's not only the numbers; it's the consistency of showing every day.''
Struggles continue for Brasier: It's the end of the year and the bullpen has been worked far more than it expected with two starters out of the rotation and on the IL. Undoubtedly, some of the relievers are fatigued and not at peak efficiency. But at this point of the season, with almost 20 relievers available on a nightly basis in the bullpen, it's something of a mystery why the Sox continue to go to Ryan Brasier. When Braiser first returned from his stint in Pawtucket, it appeared as though he had made some mechanical adjustments and had figured some things out. But lately, Brasier has seen a downturn. Coming into Thursday, Brasier's last eight appearances had seen him throw six innings while allowing 10 earned runs on 10 hits. It didn't get any better Thursday, either -- Brasier entered in the fifth inning with a man on third and on the first pitch he threw, he allowed a run-scoring single to Vladimir Guerrero Jr..
Nine pitchers ties record: Going with their second straight bullpen game, the Red Sox tied a franchise record for a nine-inning game, using nine pitchers. After opener Jhoulys Chacin, the Sox paraded eight relievers to the mound, with only closer Brandon Workman pitching more than a full inning. Other than Brian Johnson (two runs in a third of an inning) and Matt Barnes (three walks, including one with the bases loaded, in two-thirds of an inning), most of the relievers pitched pretty well. Many of the relievers will get some much-needed rest soon. The Sox have two days off in the next four -- Friday and Monday -- and in their two-game series in Philadelphia, the Sox will start Eduardo Rodriguez and Rick Porcello. If they at least get the Sox into the middle innings, that will cut down on the wear-and-tear to a considerable degree.
TURNING POINT: The Sox led by just two after six innings, but in the top of the seventh, they made things more comfortable for themselves with three straight hits from the top three spots in the lineup -- Mookie Betts, Brock Holt and Xander Bogaerts. And with a stolen base from Betts and an error from the Jays, Boston tacked on two more runs.
ONE UP:
Jhoulys Chacin: Signed on the final day of August, Chacin has taken well to the opener's role. After two perfect innings last time out, Chacin gave the Sox 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
ONE DOWN:
Andrew Benintendi: The left fielder has been slumping of late and was 0-for-4 with a strikeout and a double play, making him the only member of the starting lineup to go without a hit.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It was kind of their turn to get beat up a little bit (Wednesday night), but they bounced back nicely today and kept us in the game.'' Xander Bogaerts on the bullpen.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING:
- The Sox finished 11-8 against Toronto this season.
- Mookie Betts scored two runs, giving him 131 for the season and the most for a Red Sox player since Dom DiMaggio also scored 131 in 1950.
- J.D. Martinez has 19 RBI in 22 career games at Rogers Centre.