Clase hits 1st career HR as Blue Jays beat Red Sox 6-1, eliminating Boston from wild-card race
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) works against the Boston Red Sox in the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
TORONTO — Jonatan Clase hit his first career home run, Kevin Gausman pitched six innings to win his final start of the season and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Boston 6-1 on Wednesday night, eliminating the Red Sox from postseason contention.
The Red Sox, who had won four in a row, needed to win their final four games and get help from opponents in the American League wild-card race.
Clase went 3 for 3 with a walk, scored twice and drove in two. He extended Toronto’s lead with a homer off Josh Winckowski in the seventh inning.
Alejandro Kirk, who extended his career-best hitting streak to 17 games, had three hits and three RBIs as the Blue Jays won for the first time in six games and avoided a three-game sweep. Boston had been 5-0 in Toronto this season.
The Blue Jays finished 21-31 against AL East opponents for the second straight year.
Gausman (14-11) allowed one run and four hits to win his second straight start. He walked three and struck out three. He ended his outing by retiring Nick Sogard on a fly ball with the bases loaded.
Red Sox right-hander Richard Fitts (0-1) came in having not allowed a run over 15 2/3 innings to start his big league career, and extended that streak to 18 2/3 before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Kirk hit consecutive doubles to begin the fourth.
Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement (28) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning of an MLB baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in Toronto on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
Guerrero finished 2 for 4 and has 197 hits this season.
Fitts was charged with four runs and six hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out two.
Kirk drove in two with a two-out single off the right field wall in the fifth, but Wilyer Abreu threw Kirk out trying to advance to second.
The Red Sox finished their road schedule at 43-38.
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) slides into second base with a double ahead of a tag by Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story (10) in the fourth inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Credit: AP/Jon Blacker
ROSTER MOVES
Blue Jays: Toronto recalled RHP Brett de Geus from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned RHP Tommy Nance to the spring training facility.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette was scheduled to have surgery Wednesday on his fractured right middle finger.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Boston returns home Friday to wrap up its season with a three-game series against Tampa Bay.
Blue Jays: Toronto closes out the season by hosting Miami in a three-game series starting Friday.
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