Springer's 10th-inning RBI double lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox for 6th win in 7 games
Romano works scoreless 10th inning, picks up 27th save of season
George Springer got three hits, including a 10th-inning double on the first pitch from Boston reliever Ryan Brasier that scored automatic runner Jackie Bradley Jr. and lifted the Toronto Blue Jays over the Red Sox 3-2 Wednesday night.
"Honestly, I was just looking to get Jackie to third," Springer said. "He's a really good pitcher, so I was just going up there looking to be aggressive."
Bradley started the 10th on second, the only time on base in the game for the former Boston outfielder. He signed with Toronto on Aug. 9, five days after being released by the Red Sox.
Tonight's hero: Big Swing Spring 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/jxLpOFhwlh">pic.twitter.com/jxLpOFhwlh</a>
—@BlueJays
Adam Cimber (10-5) pitched a scoreless ninth, giving up one hit. Jordan Romano worked a scoreless 10th inning, issuing an intentional walk to Rafael Devers before getting his 27th save.
Brasier (0-3) took the loss.
"We have struggled offensively for a while, the swing-and-miss, the chasing," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, "It's late August and it's the same at-bats. As a group, we have to take pride in that. We've got to be better. Make sure we swing at strikes and put the ball in play when it matters, and we haven't done that in a while."
Franchy Cordero's sixth homer, a two-run drive in the second off Jose Berrios, made it 2-0.
Berrios went six innings, giving up five hits and a walk with six strikeouts.
"The bullpen was outstanding and Berrios awesome," Toronto interim manager John Schneider. "You really can't say enough about the job the bullpen did in really tough spots … and Jordy just really, really clutch in the 10th. That was fun."
In his first start since July 24, Red Sox rookie Brayan Bello gave up two runs over five innings and struck out a career-high seven. The right-hander was activated from the injured list after missing 17 games with a right groin strain.
The Blue Jays tied it the next inning on singles by Whit Merrifield, Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Boston missed a couple of late-game opportunities.
In the seventh, with two outs against reliever Yimi GarcÍa, the Red Sox loaded the bases when Bobby Dalbec walked, Reese McGuire singled and Jarren Duran reached on Guerrero's error at first base. Rob Refsnyder flied out to Bradley in centre to end the threat.
Toronto left-hander Tim Mayza made his first appearance since Aug. 6 after being sidelined with a right shoulder dislocation, and the Red Sox put runners at second and third against him with one out.
Anthony Bass replaced Mayza and struck out Kike Hernandez, intentionally walked Cordero and struck out Dalbec.