Before Friday's 8-0 loss to the New York Mets, the Boston Red Sox had themselves a very eventful and successful week. It began on Tuesday night, when they beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 7-2, to become the first team in the majors to clinch a playoff berth. Brock Holt was the hero on this night, connecting for a three-run home run in the seventh inning to put the Red Sox ahead for good.
The Red Sox also got starter Chris Sale off of the disabled list on this night, as the left-hander struck out two over one scoreless inning. He did need 26 pitches to get through the frame, as he was pitching for the first time since his second stint on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Holt's game-winner came in the pinch-hitting role, and gave reliever Ryan Brasier his second win of the season, as he pitched 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings. The Red Sox used seven relievers on the night, as they clinched their third consecutive postseason berth. That matches the franchise's mark set from 2003-2005 and 2007-2009.
Just one night later, against the same Blue Jays team, Boston then became the first team to reach 100 wins on the year with a 1-0 shutout win at Fenway Park. David Price earned his 21st career win against Toronto, going seven shutout innings and striking out seven on the night. That gave the left-hander his 15th win of the season, as his team reached 100 victories in a year for the first time since Ted Williams' club did it in 1946.
Aaron Sanchez also pitched well over seven innings for Toronto, but still fell to 4-6, as the lone run came when Rafael Devers scored on his wild pitch in the seventh. Price stayed hot since the All-Star break, improving to 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts since then.
Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth for his 39th save of the season, as the Red Sox also knocked their magic number to clinch the AL East to just seven. They moved a season-high 54 games over .500 with their 10th win over the past 14 games. They need to go 6-10 the rest of the way to break the franchise record of 105 wins in a year, which was set in 1915.
The Red Sox also got starter Chris Sale off of the disabled list on this night, as the left-hander struck out two over one scoreless inning. He did need 26 pitches to get through the frame, as he was pitching for the first time since his second stint on the DL with shoulder inflammation.
Holt's game-winner came in the pinch-hitting role, and gave reliever Ryan Brasier his second win of the season, as he pitched 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings. The Red Sox used seven relievers on the night, as they clinched their third consecutive postseason berth. That matches the franchise's mark set from 2003-2005 and 2007-2009.
Just one night later, against the same Blue Jays team, Boston then became the first team to reach 100 wins on the year with a 1-0 shutout win at Fenway Park. David Price earned his 21st career win against Toronto, going seven shutout innings and striking out seven on the night. That gave the left-hander his 15th win of the season, as his team reached 100 victories in a year for the first time since Ted Williams' club did it in 1946.
Aaron Sanchez also pitched well over seven innings for Toronto, but still fell to 4-6, as the lone run came when Rafael Devers scored on his wild pitch in the seventh. Price stayed hot since the All-Star break, improving to 5-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts since then.
Craig Kimbrel worked the ninth for his 39th save of the season, as the Red Sox also knocked their magic number to clinch the AL East to just seven. They moved a season-high 54 games over .500 with their 10th win over the past 14 games. They need to go 6-10 the rest of the way to break the franchise record of 105 wins in a year, which was set in 1915.
