All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 9-7 win over the Blue Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES:
Hart again overmatched early: For the third time in as many starts for the Red Sox, rookie lefty Kyle Hart couldn't get out of the first inning unscathed. And here's the troubling thing: it's gotten worse with each successive start. He allowed a run in the first inning of his debut, two runs in the first inning of his second start and Tuesday night, was shelled for four first inning runs, putting his team in a big hole early. "I'm kind of getting exposed in the first couple of innings, quite frankly,'' Hart said. "The first inning, it's lackadaisical, it's almost too laid back. I'm working on it. I'm working in my pre-game bullpen to come out firing and it's just not there. It's something that I've got to mentally break through.'' Hart is brutally honest about his performance to date (11.00 ERA) and knows that he needs to be better -- and soon. "I'm fighting for my life,' he said. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it. There's a business aspect to this. You can't go out and give the other team two, three, four runs in the first few innings.''
Brasier looks Brasier 2018: Over the past week, Ryan Brasier seems to have turned the clock back to his remarkable 2018 rookie season. His fastball velocity has improved to where he's again throwing 97-98 mph and his slider has shown good biting action. Best of all, he's commanding within the strike zone and getting swings-and-misses. Ron Roenicke said that Brasier is performing better because he's confident again, although that seems like it could be a chicken-and-the-egg issue. Either way, Brasier's re-emergence couldn't come at a better time for the Red Sox, who last week traded away to high-leverage relievers (Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree) to the Philadelphia Phillies and desperately need someone they trust late in close games. Getting Brasier back to this level could be a big step toward that.
Sox praise Sahlen Field: The Sox didn't know what to expect with the facility Tuesday night. A number of Sox players were familiar with the ballpark from their time in the International League and visits to Buffalo as members of the Pawtucket Red Sox, but still, it was a Triple A facility and not up to snuff for Major League Baseball. But with some additional lights added, a re-sodding of the turf and improved facilities for both the visiting and home teams, the ballpark has been brought up to code. Both Roenicke and Hart praised the job done by the Blue Jays and the city of Buffalo. Hart added that every ballpark has different procedures and layouts for visiting teams, but added that the Sox felt comfortable and safe when they arrived.
TURNING POINT
After the Red Sox had fought back for a second time to be within a run at 6-5, Rafael Devers smoked a slider into the right field corners, clearing the bases and landing him at third with a standup triple. The ball was hit so hard, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could only wave at it futilely when it took a big bounce and flew over his head on its way to right. It marked the first lead of the night for the Sox and one they wouldn't relinquish.
TWO UP
Jackie Bradley Jr.: Bradley started to get hot in Baltimore with homers in consecutive games, and Tuesday night he continued that positive trend with two singles, two RBI and a walk.
Darwinzon Hernandez: Hernandez gave the Sox two strong innings in relief, allowing two hits while walking one and striking out two. His fastball is not as electric as it's been, but presumably, he's still building after missing time with COVID-19
ONE DOWN
J.D. Martinez: The Red Sox DH continues to underperform at the plate. He was 0-for-4 though he did have a sacrifice fly. Three times, his at-bats ended Red Sox innings, twice with runners on base.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I've learned that I'm not as good as I thought I was, quite frankly.'' Kyle Hart on what he's learned after three major league starts.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Alex Verdugo extended his hitting streak to 14 games.
- Kevin Pillar failed to reach base safely for the first time in 13 games.
- The game marked the 16th time in 30 games that the Red Sox starter failed to go at least four innings.