Whit Merrifield has profitable hit in thirteenth inning as Blue Jays rally previous Crimson Sox 4-3

TORONTO (AP) — Whit Merrifield hit a game-winning single within the thirteenth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Boston Crimson Sox 4-3 on Saturday.

Merrifield’s infield single off Mauricio Llovera (1-3) drove in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from third base for Toronto’s fifth win in its final at-bat.

Chad Inexperienced (3-0) pitched one inning for the win.

Guerrero hit a solo house run and reached base 5 occasions because the Blue Jays ensured they might not lose floor within the AL wild card race. Toronto started the day half a recreation behind Seattle for the third wild card spot.

“At this level within the yr, any win goes to be a very good confidence increase,” Merrifield stated. “Hopefully will probably be good momentum.”

Guerrero went 2 for 3 with three walks, one intentional. He has homered in three consecutive video games for the fourth time in his profession.

“What Vladdy has completed the final couple of days is a giant increase,” Merrifield stated.

Rafael Devers hit a two-run house run, his thirty second, however Boston misplaced for the ninth time in 11 video games. The Crimson Sox misplaced for the fourth time in 62 alternatives when main after six innings.

Toronto used an intentional stroll and an infield single to load the bases in opposition to Nick Robertson within the tenth, however Merrifield struck out to finish the menace.

“When one thing like that occurs you’re wanting to get again up and take a look at once more,” Merrifield stated. “Happily I bought one other likelihood and made it occur.”

Boston led 2-1 heading to the ninth however right-hander John Schreiber couldn’t shut it out, blowing his second save in three possibilities.

Pinch-hitting for Matt Chapman, Toronto’s Cavan Biggio hit a one-out single and superior on a wild pitch. One out later, Daulton Varsho lined a game-tying triple over the top of rookie middle fielder Ceddanne Rafaela, who initially broke in on Varsho’s hit.

“It’s a mistake,” Crimson Sox supervisor Alex Cora stated of Rafaela’s play. “He’ll study from it and be higher for the following one.”

Schreiber despatched it to additional innings by getting George Springer to floor out.

Boston’s Pablo Reyes hit an RBI single off Jordan Hicks within the prime of the twelfth however Bo Bichette tied it within the backside half with a sacrifice fly off Zack Weiss.

Crimson Sox left-hander Chris Sale allowed one run and two hits in six-plus innings. The left-hander walked two and struck out 10.

“Positively one thing to construct off of,” Sale stated.

Cora stated he hasn’t seen Sale pitch higher this yr.

“I do know he’s had some good video games this season however for me, that was one of the best one so far as hitting his spots,” Cora stated.

Sale departed after Guerrero’s leadoff house run within the seventh, his twenty fourth.

Proper-hander Josh Winckowski changed Sale and bought two outs however walked the bases loaded. Brennan Bernardino got here on and retired pinch hitter Ernie Clement to finish the menace.

Making his career-high thirty first begin, Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt allowed two runs and 4 hits in seven innings.

Plate umpire Jordan Baker was struck within the left shoulder by a foul tip throughout Justin Turner’s at-bat within the prime of the fourth. Baker obtained consideration from Toronto’s coach and was in a position to proceed, however left after the eighth. Brennan Miller moved from second base to behind the plate within the ninth.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Crimson Sox: Boston put 1B Triston Casas on the 10-day IL due to proper shoulder irritation and recalled INF Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester. Cora stated Casas will return to Boston on Saturday night time and endure an MRI Sunday. “It doesn’t make sense to push,” Cora stated. “He’s been grinding by means of it. The previous few days have been a problem for him.”

Blue Jays: RHP Adam Cimber (shoulder) allowed one run and two hits in a single inning in his first rehab look at Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.

STARTING STRONG

Crimson Sox beginning pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in every of the previous seven video games.

WEB GEM

Springer raced into the precise subject nook to make a diving catch on Masataka Yoshida’s liner for the primary out of the seventh.

CHAPMAN STRUGGLING

Chapman is hitless in 9 at-bats since being activated off the IL Thursday. The three-time Gold Glove Award winner missed 15 video games due to a sprained proper center finger.

UP NEXT

LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3, 2.93 ERA) is predicted to begin for the Blue Jays in Sunday’s sequence finale in opposition to Canadian-born Crimson Sox RHP Nick Pivetta (9-9, 4.56).