Walks. Lots and lots of walks.
Context
Here we are, the last Monday game of the 2024 season. Watching the fourth- and fifth-place teams in the AL East. Worst, and second-worst. Oh well, at least Rafael Devers doesn’t need surgery.
Game Action
The starting pitching for the two teams couldn’t have been more different, and the Jays as a team looked sluggish, or maybe worn down. Toronto’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt walked three of the first five Red Sox batters. Bassitt was completely off: he set a career-high in walks (two of which came in to score), issued a balk, got in an argument with the umpire…and the Sox took advantage. Each of the runs scored in the second and third began as a walk. The balk sent Nick Sogard to third and he scored on the next play.
On the other hand was Tanner Houck, who entered the game still looking for his first victory of the second half of the season. He did well, taking a perfect game and a no-hitter into the fifth inning. He lost both on consecutive batters after giving up a walk, then a single. The contact the Jays made while he was on the mound was pretty weak—mostly ground balls. He can feel proud of finishing (if it is the end) strong.
Greg Weissert entered in the sixth and immediately gave up two singles (more than Houck had allowed all game) and all the old, uneasy feelings came back. But the rally was quelled, and despite a last-minute (literally) run scored by Toronto at the bottom of the ninth, the Sox had the game in the bag easily enough.
The Sox took ten walks tonight, a season high. Although we didn’t have many strong hits, and we leaned into Toronto’s unfortunate game (rather than powering our own opportunities), give it to Sox batters for their good eye, at least.
This win puts us one game over .500; let’s see if it can last!
Studs
Houck
One-two-three innings through four. Ten ground balls, very little good contact. Final line: 5.0 IP, 1H, 0R 1 BB, 0K.
Wilyer Abreu
2-3 with a walk, double, and single
Bullpen
Though Greg Weissert (and then Chris Martin as closer) made me uneasy at first, our bullpen got it done, with those two (plus Luis Guerrero and Zach Penrod) allowing just five hits. This may not look amazing, especially from Martin who allowed the only Toronto run—but consider the usual state of our bullpen. Improvement!
Honorable Mention
Sogard
1-3, 1R, 1H, 1BB. His double gave him a five-game hitting streak. I read his lips as saying “Yes, please” to someone (umpire? Dugout?) as he looked up from second base, and that was charming.
Duds
Tyler O’Neill
As DH in his home country, he continued his cold streak. He just didn’t have it and you could tell he was frustrated.
Sox baserunning
Nothing egregious here, but Sox runners were thrown out three times at second base. Two of those began as successful steals, though the runners (Story and Duran) were subsequently picked off. Once, Ceddanne Rafaela was caught stealing. We did fine without it, but still.
Play of the Game
In a game with only eleven hits, Duran’s triple was the most exciting move this game.