The Red Sox looked to quiet down Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim as the Rays tried to get closer to first place. The Yankees are hoping for a great week to end the “first half” and the Jays are looking to inch closer to second place. Let’s check out what happened over the final week in the AL East before the All-Star break. MLB American League East
BOSTON RED SOX
The Red Sox lost the series against the Angels this week. Monday’s game looked good as Martin Perez pitched 5.1 innings and gave up two runs. Rafael Devers went 3-for-5 and hit his 21st home run. Christian Arroyo hit his fifth home run of the season in the second inning. Adam Ottavino got his seventh save of the season getting Ohtani out on a grounder in the ninth inning.
Revive el cuadrangular número 21 del año de Rafael Devers. 📢 Español#PorSiTeLoPerdiste #MediasRojas pic.twitter.com/UljuQanGp3 — Red Sox de Boston (@RedSoxBeisbol) July 6, 2021
Tuesday’s match-up between Ohtani and Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t great for the Sox. Eovaldi gave up five runs in 5.2 innings and struck out nine. Hunter Renfroe hit his 13th home run of the season. The offense tried to come back but fell short of two runs.
Eduardo Rodriguez pitched five innings and gave up four runs in the series finale. The winning run was given up by Darwinzon Hernandez. The offense tried to come from behind one run at a time but it was too late. J.D. Martinez hit his third triple of the season and Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-5.
This weekend, the Red Sox face Joe Girardi and the Phillies at Fenway. Garrett Richards, Martin Perez, and Nick Pivetta are scheduled to pitch during the series.
TAMPA BAY RAYS
The first game against the Indians was one the Rays had to come from behind. Rich Hill pitched 3.2 innings and gave up one run. Kind of weird to remove Hill from the game that early without an injury but that must have been the Rays game plan from the start. Drew Rasmussen, J.P. Feyereisen and Jeffrey Springs gave up seven runs combined. Manuel Margot went 4-for-4 and YandyDiaz went 2-for-5. Diaz hit his fourth home run of the season and Brandon Lowe hit his 17th.
The second game was postponed due to Hurricane Elsa making its way through Florida. It was made up in a doubleheader the next day. Michael Wacha pitched in game one of the doubleheader and went six innings. He gave up the only run by the Indians. Kevin Kiermaier hit his sixth home run, Brandon Lowe hit his 18th, and Brett Phillips hit his fourth.
Game two featured a five pitcher no-hitter against the Indians. MLB does not consider a seven-inning game no-hitter as the official no-hitter but it is still an accomplishment to no-hit a team. Josh Fleming ended up with the win. Wander Franco committed his fourth error of the season at third and went 1-for-4.
The no-hitter that isn't…but still is…but technically isn't 😅pic.twitter.com/ZflODCzZBV — Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) July 7, 2021
The Rays swept the Indians, gained ground on the Red Sox, and now look to add on to their lead in second place over the Jays.
TORONTO BLUE JAYS
The series for the Jays opened with a loss. Steven Matz pitched four innings and gave up four runs with only three earned. Trent Thorton gave up three runs during his outing. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his 28th home run of the season. Lourdes Gurriel Jr.went 3-for-4 and hit his 10th home run of the season.
Vlad's 28th was a ROCKET. pic.twitter.com/fUaz8ud4M7 — MLB (@MLB) July 7, 2021
Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched five innings and gave up one run in game two against the Orioles. Bo Bichette hit his 16th home run in the 6th inning and went 3-for-5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.went 3-for-5. The Jays won 10-2.
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