Kirk delivers a crucial winning hit in the 10th inning; Blue Jays face off against Red Sox as Giolito gets back to the game.
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Toronto, Ontario - A nail-biting tenth inning saw Mexican Alejandro Kirk deliver a game-winning, bases-loaded single, propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to a thrilling 7-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. The game marked the end of a three-game losing streak for the Blue Jays.
The dramatic conclusion unfolded as Dominican Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the automatic runner on second base, advanced to third, prompting the intentional walk of Daulton Varsho and George Springer by reliever Justin Slaten (0-1). With one out, Kirk stepped up to the plate and sent a single to left field, scoring Guerrero and securing the victory for the Blue Jays.
Jeff Hoffman (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings, striking out three, in the Blue Jays' comeback effort.
The contest initially appeared grim for the Blue Jays, who found themselves trailing 6-0 early in the seventh inning. However, Venezuelan Anthony Santander sparked a rally with a three-run home run off Garrett Whitlock, tying the game.
Kirk and Varsho had set the Blue Jays on their comeback trail with consecutive homers in the sixth inning against returning Boston pitcher Lucas Giolito, who signed a two-year, $38.5 million contract with the Red Sox over 15 months ago. After missing the entire 2021 season due to a right elbow tear, followed by a spring hamstring injury, Giolito made his Red Sox debut in this game.
The Blue Jays entered the game with a mere 16 home runs for the season, tied for the lowest among the 30 MLB teams. However, this contest saw them hit three home runs—the first time they achieved this feat in the 2022 season.
The Red Sox saw Mexican Jarren Duran deliver a solid performance, going 4-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Fellow Latin American players—Dominicans Rafael Devers and Carlos Naváez, along with Venezuelans Wiler Abreu and Andrés Giménez—also contributed significantly to the Red Sox's offense, with impressive batting averages and runs batted in.
On the Blue Jays' side, both Guerrero and Kirk finished the game with five hits each, with two runs scored and two RBIs apiece. Santander, another Venezuelan, also shone, recording five hits, three RBIs, and a home run in a stellar performance.
In the amidst of the baseball season, the Toronto Blue Jays demonstrated a remarkable comeback, hitting three home runs against the Boston Red Sox, with an average of 5 hits each for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk. This performance helped them end theirthree-game losing streak with a stunning 7-6 victory, amidst the 30 MLB teams struggle to surpass their minimal 16 home runs for the season.
