All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox win over the Blue Jays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sox rally late to gain split: Through the first 12 innings -- seven in the first game and the first five of the nightcap -- the Red Sox were blanked on the scoreboard, showing little life and even less offense. Finally, in the sixth inning, Alex Verdugo belted a game-tying homer. Two innings later, in extra innings, Jonathan Arauz singled home automatic runner Franchy Cordero and the Sox held off the Blue Jays for just their second win in the last 10 games. You could almost see the relief in the dugout. They also got four innings of scoreless relief from the fifth through the eighth -- two from Garrett Whitlock, and one each from Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino.
Sale finished up rehab: Making his fifth and final rehab start in the minors, Chris Sale threw 4.2 scoreless innings for Worcester vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, allowing two hits, walking three and striking out eight. His fastball ranged from 91-96 mph and though he struggled some in the fourth -- needing 25 pitches to get through the inning -- he reached his goal of throwing nearly 90 pitches, finishing at 89, 58 of which were strikes. Asked by reporters afterward if he felt ready to return to the Red Sox and have his next start come against major league competition, he said: "Absolutely. This is what I was meant to do.''
Sox waiting for COVID answers: The Red Sox began the day by placing their second player in as many days on the COVID-IL list, with DH J.D. Martinez joining Jarren Duran, who was on the IL Friday. After the doubleheader, the Red Sox were still waiting for the result of testing, hoping to clear both players for a return to action, but hadn't yet heard. Alex Cora chalked it up to the complexities of being in Canada, but remaining optimistic that the Sox could still get results Sunday morning in time for the two to be activated.
TURNING POINT
With the Sox trailing 1-0 and seemingly on the verge of being swept, Alex Verdugo got a 2-and-2 curveball at the top of the zone from Toronto starter Jose Berrios and hit it out to center, tying the game at 1-1 in the top of the sixth. For much of the season, Verdugo has turned in some huge hits at the right time, including a couple of walk-off hits. This one, though it merely tied the game, seemed as big as any of those. "Just to get that run, tie the game and get the zero off the board, it was just big,'' said Verdugo. "It felt like everybody kind of let out a little exhale, like, 'Hey guys, we're tied now.' ''
TWO UP
Tanner Houck: Though he got the hook after just 3.2 innings, Houck allowed just one run on three hits while striking out six, providing the Sox with a strong start.
Adam Ottavino: Pitching the eighth with the automatic runner in scoring position, Ottavino retired all three hitters he faced for the save.
ONE DOWN
(Tie) Marwin Gonzalez/Christian Vazquez: Together, the two both made outs on the bases during the same plate appearance -- Gonzalez was picked off after taking too big a secondary lead and Vazquez was thrown out on a delayed steal.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"The scuffle was real. It's big man, to get a win like that and try to get the momentum back on our side.'' Alex Verdugo.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The win was the seventh extra-inning win of the season for the Red Sox and the fifth in six tries on the road.
* The victory was the only the eighth win this season in games in which the Sox scored fewer than four runs.
* Garrett Whitlock contributed his 20th multi-inning scoreless appearance.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox wrap up the series and the road trip at 1:07 p.m., with RHP Garrett Richards (6-7, 5.21) vs. LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (11-5, 3.22)