Lester went seven innings and despite allowing just three runs on
five hits, the lefty issued a season-high four walks and the Jays were
able to take advantage to give Halladay just enough room to work his
magic. The Jays plated two in the second and one more in the sixth en
route to their 3-1 win over the Sox to capture the three-game series.
Blue Jays 3, Red Sox 1
Rogers Centre, Toronto
July 19, 2009
Headliner: Rod Barajas was all the offensive help
Halladay needed in the Jays' second straight win over the Sox. Toronto’s
catcher knocked in all three of the Blue Jays runs by roping a
two-run double in the second and hitting a sacrifice fly in the sixth.
Dirt dog: Toronto’s ace and MLB’s most sought-after man Roy Halladay
picked up his 11th win – his first since June 7. The tall righty went
all nine innings and allowed just one run on six hits. Doc didn’t issue
any walks and struck out seven Red Sox batters as he picked up his
fourth complete game of the season and 44th of his career.
Better luck next time: Shortstop Nick Green went
0-for-3 with three strikeouts (twice swinging, once looking) against
Halladay. Green is now 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in his career
against the Toronto hurler.
Key moment: In the second inning, Jon Lester’s imprecision led to two runs that ended up costing him the game. After getting Scott Rolen to strike out swinging to lead off the frame, Lester issued rare back-to-back walks to Lyle Overbay and Alex Rios who both scored when Barajas bopped a two-out, two-run double down the left-field line to give Toronto the 2-1 lead.
On deck: The Sox will pack up and head back to the States for a three-game tilt with the Rangers in Texas. John Smoltz looks to capture his second straight win as he takes on Kevin Millwood in a battle of seasoned veterans.
Smoltz won his first game in a Red Sox uniform in his last start
after going winless in his first three. The 42-year-old righty allowed
one run on four hits in five innings against the Royals to secure the "W." Smoltz has struck out 17 batters while walking just four in 20
innings pitched so far this season.
Millwood is winless in his last three starts but has a 8-7 record to
show for on the season. After a tremendous month of June where he
allowed five earned runs over five starts, the righty was able to lower
his ERA to 2.64 heading into the month of July. However, after three
straight poor outings, the Rangers starter bumped his ERA up to 3.46.
In 13 career starts against Boston, Millwood has a 5-4 record with a
4.07 ERA. Millwood last faced the Sox on Sept. 5 of last season,
surrendering seven runs (six earned) on nine hits over six innings for
the loss.
