At 40 years of age, there is not long left in David Ortiz’s career but the Red Sox slugger is still going strong, hitting his 516th career home run. “So that was my goal, just to put it in play”.
Advertisement
Toronto Blue Jays’ Jose Bautista (19) connects for a two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during fifth-inning baseball game action in Toronto on Sunday, May 29, 2016. It was the sixth career home run Price had surrendered to Bautista, who came in hitting.364 off the southpaw.
Dustin Pedroia’s 11th inning ground-rule double helped Boston (30-20) avoid a series sweep and snap a three-game losing skid. He survived a pair of first-inning walks, then proceeded to knock down the Jays with some ease into the fifth inning. Koji Uehara picked up his first save of the season.
Despite the setback, it was still a successful weekend for the Blue Jays, who took two of three from the American League East-leading Red Sox and had won a season-high four in a row before the finale against David Price and company.
Buchholz allowed one hit in an otherwise clean inning, his first relief appearance since August 17, 2008 – also against the Blue Jays.
The five-time all-star has struggled through most of this season, hitting just.204 with a.673 on-base-plus-slugging percentage.
Evan Longoria and Hank Conger went deep as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the New York Yankees 9-5, Chase Utley’s grand slam and a solo homer lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9-1 thrashing of the New York Mets, and 11 runs on 12 singles and a double from Cleveland saw the Indians comfortably beat the Baltimore Orioles 11-4.
MLB PREDICTION: The Blue Jays are 0-6 in Dickey’s last six home starts, are 0-5 in his last five home starts versus the Red Sox, and are 0-4 in their last four games when Dickey faces Price.
They were introduced one by one in a lavish pregame tribute, the likes of Carlos Delgado, Vernon Wells and Jesse Barfield, some of the biggest offensive stars in Blue Jays history. Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney are expected to split time at shortstop until Tulowitzki’s return.
“I just think he was worn down”, Toronto manager John Gibbons said of Floyd.
SUBBAN-ATOR TAKES BP: After hooking up Jose Bautista with courtside seats to Friday night’s Raptors game, Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban had his generosity rewarded on Saturday by getting a chance to take batting practice with Bautista and his teammates.
When he left the game in the seventh, he received an ovation. Xander Bogaerts singled, extending his hitting streak to 22 games, and Travis Shaw walked to load the bases before Dickey hit Hanley Ramirez to bring home the tying run.
Removed from Boston’s rotation Friday after losing his previous two starts, Clay Buchholz (3-5) worked one inning for the win in his first relief appearance since August 17, 2008. Toronto activated left-handed reliever Aaron Loup from the 15-day DL to take his place.
Young, who had been out since May 9 with a right forearm strain, was placed in the bullpen after beginning the season in the rotation. The Red Sox won, 5-3. Edwin Encarnacion and Justin Smoak earned back-to-back two-out walks in the first, and quickly moved up on a wild pitch.
The Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays both had dramatic walk-off wins.
He is 1-5 with a 5.20 ERA this season.
Advertisement
The Red Sox first hit of the afternoon finally came with one-out in the 6, as Mookie Betts belted a one-out triple that began a rally.
