Sunday, September 11, 2016

'Wacky-Palooza': Red Sox Outslug Blue Jays, 11-8

(AP Photo)
As NESN's Tom Caron correctly stated in the post-game show, this contest (ending in an 11-8 Boston win) was the 2016 Red Sox season in microcosm. Occasionally crappy starting pitching (Clay Buchholz today); awesome offense (huge HRs by David Ortiz, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Hanley Ramirez); 'bend but don't break' bullpen (eight relievers gave up two runs over six innings). Xander Bogaerts also knocked in two big runs at a critical juncture. This one went back and forth multiple times—ranging from desperation to glee. At the end, the Red Sox had extended their AL East lead to two full games over Toronto. The Carmine Hose come back home for seven games before—you guessed it—another road trip.