On Monday night, the Toronto Blue Jays began a four-game series against the Boston Red Sox. As the Red Sox prepared to attack their AL East rivals, Blue Jays pitcher Kevin John Gausman, aka “Gaus,” put up a fight. Gausman struck out 10 batters in seven innings, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit one of three Toronto home runs, and the Blue Jays defeated the Red Sox 7-2 to snap Boston’s seven-game winning streak.
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 18th home run of the season, Matt Chapman homered twice, and George Springer added a solo shot as Toronto improved to 6-2 against Boston. Guerrero has nine home runs in June. In the AL, only Aaron Judge (10) has more. Gausman (6-6) defeated the White Sox for the first time since May 31st, snapping a four-start losing streak. Gausman’s four hits were all singles.
“He [Gausman] looked as sharp as ever tonight,” Toronto’s third baseman Chapman said. “That’s an awesome seven shutout innings from him.”
Everyone praised Gausman’s outstanding offense, which was fueling the Blue Jays’ rout. In three starts against the Red Sox this season, Gausman is 2-0 with a 0.43 ERA.
“One thing about our offence, if our pitching gives us a chance we’re going to be all right,” said Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo. “That’s what Gausman did today. He gave us a chance and we swung the bats.”
Boston’s lone run came in the ninth inning when Boston second baseman Trevor Story hit a wild pitch and Dalbec followed with an RBI single that struck Anderson.
Pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, Connor Seabold (0-1) allowed seven runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings, his first error of the season and the second of his major league career.
“I made too many mistakes,” Seabold admitted.
Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette managed to strike an RBI double in the first, and Springer made it 2-0 with his 14th home run of the season in the third.
Bichette singled next, and Guerrero hit a homer to the middle.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. scored on a fielder’s choice in the fifth, and Chapman made it 7-0 with his 11th homer to left.
Once they hit two or more home runs, the Blue Jays are 21-10.
The Toronto Blue Jays are clearly on track to have a significant presence at the 2022 All-Star Game. Catcher Alejandro Kirk, first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Bo Bichette continue to lead the American League voting, with each receiving over a million votes.
Kirk, Guerrero, Bichette are gaining popularity
Alejandro Kirk of the Blue Jays is still in third place among many American League players in voting for next month’s All-Star game. According to Major League Baseball, Kirk received 1,857,670 votes in the most recent AL voting update on Monday. Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and Angels outfielder Mike Trout are right behind the 23-year-old catcher.
Kirk is hitting .322/ .409/ .523 this season and homered for the fourth time in five games on Sunday. The Blue Jays were up 3-0 before the Brewers even hit the ball with a three-run home run in the first inning.
Guerrero (1,624,228) is also far ahead of Seattle Mariners first baseman Ty France (880,530). Bichette has 1,084,794 votes, which puts him just ahead of Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson (943,125).
The 2022 All-Star Game will be held on July 19, 2022, at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles.