Toronto Blue Jays win 5-1 to avoid series sweep against Boston Red Sox – MLB Update
Toronto Blue Jays showed great determination, fighting spirits and mental toughness as they beat Boston Red Sox 5-1 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario on Sunday, June 3 in the finale of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Tempers flared high in a game that was played on an extremely competitive note. Boston looked in a very aggressive mood but the Blue Jays held their nerves to avoid series sweep at the hands of their arch rivals.
Toronto’s hitter Edwin Encarnacion had to leave the field after he was hit on the wrist by a fast pitch. Kevin Youkilis also avoided head injury scare as the fans got plenty to cheer about.
Credit must be given to Jose Bautista who played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash. Bautista hit a might three run home run in the first inning to boost Blue Jays’ confidence levels. The striker also had a walk in the second inning that extended Orioles lead to 4-0 lead.
"Hutch continues to mature right in front of us," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "He kept going, kept putting up zeros, kept the momentum on our side."
"The ability to repeat just isn't there like it has been in the past," Bard said. "If anything, it's that I allowed something to happen when I switched roles. Maybe we just tried to turn me into a starter rather than just take the same pitcher I was out there and move that guy to the rotation, which is probably what should have been done."
Red Sox starting pitcher Daniel Bard had a forgettable time on the mound. Bard, who has given impressive performances as a reliever this season, did not look the same as a starter. He allowed five runs with just two strikeouts and six walks in his shortest career start. For the Red Sox, Kelly Shoppach scored the only run with a home run to centre in the fifth.
Blue Jays’ starting pitcher Drew Hutchison put up a masterful performance to win for the fourth time in just five starts. Asserting his dominance, he allowed just one runs on five hits in seven plus inning with one walks and five strikeouts.
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