On September 26, Jonatan Clase notched three hits, including his first career MLB home run, as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Boston Red Sox 6-1 on Thursday night. Alejandro Kirk also contributed with three hits and three RBIs for the Blue Jays (74-85), who snapped a five-game losing streak and avoided a three-game sweep. The Red Sox (80-79) had their four-game winning streak ended, officially extinguishing their slim playoff hopes.
Toronto’s right-hander Kevin Gausman (14-11) allowed just one run on four hits and three walks while striking out three over six innings. Boston’s right-hander Richard Fitts (0-1) gave up four runs on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings, marking the first earned runs he’s allowed in his four major league starts. Despite Fitts’ 1.74 ERA, Boston has lost all four of his outings.
Toronto scored twice in the fourth inning, the first runs allowed by Fitts since his MLB debut on September 8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opened with a double off the center field wall and scored on a double from Kirk, extending Kirk’s hitting streak to 17 games. Ernie Clement followed with an RBI single.
In the fifth inning, Toronto extended the lead to 4-0. Tyler Heineman walked, Clase singled, and Nathan Lukes moved the runners with a sacrifice bunt. Kirk then delivered a two-out, two-run single but was thrown out attempting a double.
Boston’s lone run came in the sixth inning after Jarren Duran doubled, Wilyer Abreu walked, and Triston Casas hit an RBI single. The Red Sox left the bases loaded.
Brendon Little replaced Gausman in the seventh, escaping trouble thanks to a double play. In the bottom of the seventh, Joey Loperfido singled, and Clase homered to right off Josh Winckowski to secure the victory.
