The Red Sox beat the Blue Jays in a messy, back-and-forth game that saw big knocks and bullpen meltdowns on both sides. Xander Bogaerts and Mitch Moreland got Boston ahead early, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. responded with a no-doubt homer, his first in Toronto. Rafael Devers homered to extend Boston’s lead, but the Jays clawed back thanks to Justin Smoak and Brandon Drury, who tied it in the ninth. Mookie Betts gave Boston the lead again in the 12th, but the Red Sox bullpen blew it. Finally, Michael Chavis saved it with a homer of his own. Boston’s bullpen continues to be unreliable.
In Baltimore, the Yankees power show rolled on with home runs from Tyro Estrada, DJ LeMahieu, Gary Sánchez, and two more from Gleyber Torres, who now has 10 homers against the Orioles this season. Torres is crushing Baltimore at a ridiculous pace. DJ also flashed the glove with a nice play at third base. The Yankees looked like they were cruising until the Orioles made it close late, forcing New York to use the full bullpen. Chapman closed it, and the Yankees held on.
In Tampa, Rich Hill pitched well for the Dodgers but gave up a solo shot to Tommy Pham. The Rays turned it on in the seventh, racking up seven runs off the Dodgers bullpen. Kevin Kiermaier and Avisaíl García both hit three-run homers, and Kiermaier exaggerated his moment at the plate. Tampa’s bullpen and defense held strong, with Kiermaier also throwing out a runner at the plate. The Rays stay two games behind the Yankees, with the Red Sox five and a half back. The Orioles remain stuck at the bottom.