Sox Drop Third Straight — Lose AL East Lead

Toronto Blue Jays 5, Boston Red Sox 2

WP: R.A. Dickey (3–6)

LP: David Price (7–2)

SV: Roberto Osuna (13)

In the rematch of last Sunday’s pitching match-up between the former 2012 AL and NL Cy Young winners which saw both pitchers earn a no-decision, 41 year old R.A. Dickey gained the upper hand tonight. Dickey picked up his 3rd win of the season Friday when he held the Red Sox to only two hits and one (unearned) run.

With the help of Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion’s 2-run home run in the first (which he hit 434 feet to dead center), Dickey handled the Sox’s surging lineup with ease. Devon Travis (who had the game winning hit last Saturday against Boston) added insurance for the Jays when he took a Koji Uehara fastball over the monster in the top of the eight inning.

David Price’s lack of command cost the Red Sox their third straight game on Friday night.

Price gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits while walking four in seven innings pitched. Price threw 114 pitches but only managed to find the strike zone on 68 of them. His 59% strike percentage is his lowest mark of the season. Price earned his second loss of the season on Friday — his first since May 7th in New York.

Xander Bogaerts’s 26 game hit streak ended when he struck out with runners on the corners to end the game in the bottom of the ninth. Bogey chased a high and away fastball — a rear instance for the patient 23 year old who walked twice in the game.

David Ortiz continued his monster season with two doubles in Friday’s loss. He also walked and was hit by an R.A. Dickey knuckleball in the wrist. Papi leads the MLB in doubles with 25.

With an Orioles 6–5 win over the Yankees tonight, the Red Sox are now tied for first in the AL East. Boston, who had a three game lead three nights ago, will look to regain the top spot when they face Marcus Stroman (5–1) tomorrow at 1:35 ET. Luckily for the Sox, 2.45 ERA knuckleballer Steven Wright (5–4) is on the bump. The Sox need a shutdown performance and hope Wright can deliver.

Fun Fact of the Day:

David Ortiz hit his 500 and 501 double as a member of the Red Sox Friday night. Only Carl Yastrzemski and Ted Williams have hit 500+ doubles in team history.