Brock Holt hit a pinch hit three run homer in the seventh inning Tuesday night, to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 7-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park to become the majors first team to officially clinch a playoff spot.
Toronto (65-79) starting pitcher Ryan Borucki was holding Boston to no runs on just two hits through the first six innings. The Jays were staked to a 2-0 lead on a Sox error allowing Devon Travis to score to break a scoreless tie in the sixth. That was followed up by an RBI single from Kevin Pillar.
After JD Martinez grounded out to start the home half of the seventh, Xander Bogaerts walked. Steve Pearce then hit a deep drive off the center field wall for an RBI triple to cut the lead to 2-1. That would knock Borucki out of the game. Ryan Tepera came in out of the Jays bullpen to strike out Ian Kisler for the second out. Holt then would pinch hit for Sandy Leon, and took a 2-2 pitch from Tepera into the second or third row of the right field stands for the game winning three run shot. It was the fourth homer of the year for Holt, and his second game winning pinch hit homer this season. The Sox added insurance in the eighth when Andrew Benintendi hit an RBI double, Kinsler an RBI single, and a wild pitch scoring Martinez. Seven different players had one hit each for Boston, while five different Jays had a hit each as well.
Chris Sale started on the hill for Boston (99-46) off the DL. Sale threw just 26 first inning pitches allowing no runs and one hit with a pair of strikeouts. Sale, who was only expected to throw either two innings or 40 pitches, would finish his return to the rotation in the bullpen and threw a total of 48 pitches and seemed to feel fine. The Sox used a total of eight pitchers in the game, with Ryan Brasier (2-0) picking up the win. Nathan Eovaldi gave up two earned runs on three hits. Hector Valazquez, Bobby Poyner, and Joe Kelly each got a hold. Borucki got a no decision for Toronto, allowing two runs on three hits in a 6.1 inning effort. Tepera (5-5) was tagged with the loss in relief.
Boston at worst is guaranteed at least a spot in the American League Wildcard game, and with a Yankee loss have reduced their magic number to win the division to nine. David Price takes the ball for Boston in game two of the series Wednesday night at 7:10. He will he opposed by Toronto righty Aaron Sanchez.
