Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo (left) greets left fielder Raimel Tapia after he drove in the winning run against the Boston Red Sox in the 10th inning at Rogers Center. The Blue Jays won 6-5 on April 26, 2022.Dan Hamilton/USA TODAY Sports via Reuters
All smiles after a wild 6-5 win, Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo wanted to punctuate his postgame comments with some spice after his team starred Tuesday night.
“I feel like dropping F-bombs because it’s great what happened,” Montoyo said with a laugh.
George Springer hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth inning and Raimel Tapia hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th as the Blue Jays (12-6) beat the reeling Boston Red Sox for their sixth win in seven . games.
“It was a whole team effort, it was great to see,” said a beaming Montoyo. “Everyone had something to do for us to win this game.”
A rather dull and laborious affair changed in the eighth inning when Boston scored four runs off Toronto reliever Yimi Garcia.
Boston’s Jake Diekman entered the ninth with a three-run cushion, but gave up back-to-back doubles to Tapia and Santiago Espinal. Two strikeouts followed before Springer hit a fastball for his fourth home run of the year and his 200th career.
“Honestly, I was just trying to extend the inning,” Springer said. “I was hoping I could hit something hard and get to first base. I know who is behind me. I was able to hit a home run there.”
Jordan Romano (1-1) retired the Red Sox in order in the 10th inning to set the stage for Toronto’s order meat in the bottom half.
With Bo Bichette on second base to start the extra frame, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was intentionally walked and Alejandro Kirk loaded the bases with another walk.
After Matt Barnes (0-1) struck out Matt Chapman, Matt Strahm entered and Tapia fouled out five times before finally lifting a fly ball to left field that scored Bichette.
“No matter what the score is, you feel like if we’re near the end of the game we’re going to have a chance,” said Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, who pitched six strong innings.
Boston (7-11) has lost four in a row and six of its last seven.
Gausman struck out nine and allowed four hits and one unearned run, cutting his earned run average to 2.19 from 2.89.
Boston starter Nick Pivetta, a native of Victoria, struck out six in 4⅔ innings. He allowed three hits, walked four batters and allowed two earned runs.
“Nick pitched great, everybody pitched great, hitters scored when they had to,” Diekman said. “He should be able to hold a three-run lead.”
The announced attendance was 22,611. The game took three hours and 47 minutes to play.
making progress
Blue Jays slugger Teoscar Hernandez participated in batting practice as he continues to make progress after suffering a left oblique strain a couple of weeks ago.
Left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu (forearm swelling) and right-hander Nate Pearson (mononucleosis) threw bullpen sessions Tuesday, Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said in his pregame availability.
hammy tight
Blue Jays outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was not in the starting lineup after dealing with a hamstring strain Monday night.
He came on as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning on Tuesday but struck out. Gurriel stayed in the game at first base.
big bats
Entering Tuesday’s games, the Blue Jays led the major leagues with 25 home runs on the season.
Guerrero, who served as the designated hitter on Tuesday, leads the team with five home runs and 12 RBIs.
wow wow
The right-handers are scheduled to meet on Wednesday night. Toronto will send Ross Stripling (0-0, 4.50 ERA) to the mound against Boston’s Michael Wacha (1-0, 1.88).
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