BOSTON — If anybody symbolized the utter domination of the Blue Jays in opposition to the Red Sox final season, it was Kevin Gausman. The nasty righty went 3-0 in opposition to Boston in six begins during which he allowed 10 earned runs whereas strolling two and putting out 47.
But the 2023 Red Sox proceed to seem like a group that has little or no in widespread with the ‘22 Red Sox.
While stretching their season-high successful streak to 6 video games, the 19-14 Sox pulled forward of the Jays for third place in a loaded division during which all 5 groups are above .500.
The Sox pounded Gausman on Thursday night time en path to an 11-5 victory that accomplished a four-game sweep over the Blue Jays and 6-1 homestand.
Gausman gave up practically as many earned runs (eight) on this one begin as he did within the six in opposition to the Red Sox final season.
“We grinded out at-bats, not too many swings and misses, and we swung at strikes,” mentioned Red Sox supervisor Alex Cora. “We put pressure on him on the bases. We did that before in ‘18 and ‘19 against him and today I think we had the personnel to do that compared to last year. We got on, and we were looking to put pressure on him.”
As a group, the Sox additionally turned the tables on the Jays these final 4 video games, notching extra victories in opposition to them than all of final 12 months, once they went 3-16 in opposition to their American League East foe whereas getting outscored, 125-55.
For baseball groups over the course of a 162-game season, there’s little that beats a cheerful flight — even a brief, blissful flight. As they head to Philadelphia and Atlanta for a five-game highway journey, the Red Sox have gained 5 of their previous six collection.
“Overall, a great game, a great series, a great homestand,” mentioned Cora.
Making it all of the extra spectacular is the succession of high quality groups Boston has performed to date this season. The Tigers are the one opponent the Red Sox have performed that at present has a file beneath .500. Through 33 video games, the largest distinction between final season and this season for Boston is the best way the offense is persistently grinding out the opposite group’s beginning pitcher.
Gausman was the most recent sufferer, getting belted round for 10 hits whereas lasting 3 1/3 innings.
“It shouldn’t matter who’s on the mound,” mentioned DH Justin Turner, who contributed with three hits. “It should be the same approach. Dominate the strike zone, swing at strikes and make those guys work hard and don’t give them easy outs. Throughout the series, we did a really really good job of that. When you do that, that’s when the results come.”
The offense has been the overriding power for a group that’s second within the Majors in runs with 195. Of late, Boston is getting firepower from high to backside. The hitter who struggled for many of this homestand was star slugger Rafael Devers, however he bounced again in an enormous means on Thursday, roping three hits, together with a two-run homer as a part of a four-RBI night time. The homer was No. 150 for the 26-year-old. Ted Williams and Jim Rice are the one different gamers who began their careers with Boston and obtained to 150 with the membership quicker than Devers, who obtained there in 721 video games.
“I’m super proud of that new milestone I’ve achieved,” Devers mentioned.
Nobody is hotter than Masataka Yoshida, who began the scoring with a solo rocket to right-center within the backside of the primary. It was a part of a three-hit night time for Yoshida, who stretched his hitting streak to 14 video games, the longest lively streak within the Majors. Yoshida is 25-for-56 throughout his scorching run with 18 RBIs.
Jarren Duran, nearly a forgotten man getting into the season, continued his revival with one other three-thit night time.
“I’ve been saying it from the beginning. We have a good team,” Devers mentioned. “[Alex Verdugo] didn’t even play today. Guys are getting a lot of timely hits and things are good.”
The Jays left Boston understanding these aren’t the identical Red Sox they beat up on final 12 months.
“Different year, different teams,” mentioned Toronto supervisor John Schneider. “They’re firing on all cylinders offensively and a couple of guys are having really big years who haven’t had big years in the past. You tip your hat to them. Baseball works in funny ways. I’m sure we’re getting their best bullet after what happened last year.”
Content Source: www.mlb.com