August had not been the easiest month for Ryan Dempster before he took the bump at Rogers Centre on Tuesday.
The veteran right-hander was coming off a pair of starts in which he gave up 16 hits and 12 earned runs combined, lucking out with a no-decision in each game. His luck swung the other way against the Blue Jays, as one of his strongest outings in weeks only netted him a no-decision as well.
Dempster went seven strong innings in Toronto, surrendering just four hits and two walks before leaving the game with Boston holding a 2-1 lead. Although Junichi Tazawa gave up the game-tying home run immediately after entering the game, Shane Victorino bailed out Tazawa with his two-run single in the 11th inning. Dempster may not show up as the pitcher of record in the box score of the Red Sox’ 4-2 victory, but his performance earned him the Amica Pitcher of the Week.
Dempster is slated to take the mound next on Sunday night in the series finale against the Yankees. He’ll be facing CC Sabathia, another gifted pitcher having an up-and-down campaign, looking to keep a healthy distance between the Red Sox and Yankees in the American League East standings.