The Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays have taken their fight for the American League wild cards to the Major League playoffs very seriously, while the Yankees are struggling.
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In Boston, the locals beat the Baltimore Orioles 8×6, thanks to an RBI single by Puerto Rican Kike Hernández that sparked a three-touchdown rally in the seventh inning.
It was the fifth consecutive victory for Boston, which leads Toronto by one game and the Yankees by 2 1/2 in the fight for the playoffs.
The Blue Jays beat Minnesota 5×3 on Sunday and New York lost to Cleveland 11×1.
Cuban slugger JD Martinez hit a solo home run and Kevin Plawecki added a two-run single for the Red Sox.
“When the end of the year approaches and you don’t have a big advantage and all games matter, it becomes a lot of fun,” Puerto Rican Hernández said.
Gunner Trey Mancini had a three-run double for the Orioles, who lost 12 of their last 13 meetings against the Red Sox.
After giving up a two-run lead in the top of the seventh, Boston rallied against Conner Greene (1-1), scoring the tying hit when Hernández’s ground shot bounced off the pad for Jose Iglesias to score. .
“That’s exactly what I was trying to do. That’s how I wrote it,” Hernandez said smiling. “I was kind of happy to get that hit and push that career forward.”
Hunter Renfroe followed with a double to the Green Monster and scored on a single by Rafael Devers, making the game 8×6.
Japan’s Hirokazu Sawamura (5-1) was credited with the victory despite giving up a two-run lead in the seventh inning. Garrett Richards got the last three outs for his third save.
– Tiles also cling –
In Toronto, Puerto Rican pitcher José Berríos pitched in the seventh inning to beat his former team, Bo Bichette homered in a five-run first inning and the Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 5×3 and increased their lead in the fight for the playoffs. .
Toronto now leads the New York Yankees by 1-1 / 2 games for the second AL wild card. The Blue Jays are one game behind Boston for the top spot.
The Blue Jays have 13 games left. The Yankees are 12 and Boston 11.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and an RBI as the Blue Jays improved to 15-3 in September.
Toronto (84-65) is the best of the season with 19 games over .500.
Berríos (12-9) faced his former teammates for the first time. He allowed three runs and four hits to win for the fourth time in five starts.
“I felt like I was playing in Puerto Rico in my backyard with many friends that I have known for a long time,” Berríos said.
Berríos improved to 5-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 10 starts with the Blue Jays.
“Since José (Berríos) came here, he has been helping us a lot,” Guerrero said.
Berríos walked away to a standing ovation after allowing Ben Rortvedt’s solo home run in the seventh act.
Trevor Richards struck out three of the four batters he faced and Jordan Romano finished well for his 19th save in 20 chances.
The loss went to Luke Farrell (1-1), who allowed seven straight hits.
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