Blue Jays spoil Andrew Cashner’s Red Sox debut in 10-4 win at Fenway
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The first start for Andrew Cashner in a Red Sox uniform didn’t exactly go according to plan. The veteran righty allowed six runs (five earned) in 5-plus innings and the lowly Blue Jays tacked on four more to win 10-4 at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
For most of the game, it was closer than the final score indicated. Xander Bogaerts continued his torrid streak with his 21st home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning to briefly give the Red Sox their only lead of the game.
Bogaerts has now hit 5 homers and 15 RBIs in his last seven games, and is well on his way to shattering his career-high home run total of 23.
But that was it for the Sox being in front. The Blue Jays battled back with three runs off Cashner in the top of the second off a three-run home run by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez that scored Justin Smoak and Freddy Galvis. Hernandez had been batting just .199 with eight homers and 27 RBIs heading into the game.
In the fifth inning it looked as if the Red Sox had gotten back in the game as they finally figured out Blue Jays starter Jacob Waguespack. Five straight batters reached with two outs, culminating with a game-tying single by Bogaerts to make it 4-4. Mookie Betts had previously plated two runs with an RBI single of his own.
Unfortunately, Cashner could not have coughed it back up quicker. Smoak homered deep to right field on the first pitch of the sixth inning, crushing a bomb estimated at 426 feet.
The Jays added four more runs in the ninth inning to effectively put the game out of reach. Red Sox reliever Heath Hembree allowed two runs on a triple, double, and single without making an out, then Ryan Weber allowed an inherited runner to score after a fielder’s choice. And why not, Weber let up one more run for good measure.
Despite the score being close for much of the game, with the way the Red Sox played for most of the night, a 10-4 final felt appropriate. The Red Sox are now 51-44 and three games out of the second Wild Card spot, where the Indians and Athletics are tied.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
