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The first real test for the Blue Jays’ makeshift bullpen arrived on Loonie Dogs Night, the second night of a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox.
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No Jordan Romano, no Yimi Garcia, no bona fide closer, as Toronto’s pen was reduced to a committee approach, which is never recommended.
The first real test, and the pen failed when it could not protect a one-run lead on a night that turned into the battle of the bullpens.
A total of eight combined relievers were used Tuesday.
Only one legitimate closer was available on either team in Kenley Jansen, who saved Boston’s win on Monday.
He was on the mound for Boston to begin the ninth inning Tuesday in a one-run game.
Jansen retired the side in order to record his second save of the series to give Boston its 4-3 win as the Red Sox go for a sweep Wednesday .
In his previous two starts, both no-decisions, Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt gave up one run on nine hits in 13 innings.
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In his 15th start, which would also go into the books as a no-decision, the veteran right-hander gave up two runs on seven hits through six innings, while striking out six. His pitch count reached 99.
The Jays threatened to break the game open in the sixth inning with runners at first and second and none out. A two-out check-swing off the bat of Isiah Kiner-Falefa brought in a run to give the Jays a 3-2 lead.
Toronto’s first reliever, Nate Pearson, entered the game to start the seventh inning.
Pearson gave up a double and a single and faced a first and third situation with none out before he induced an infield fly to record the inning’s first out.
A big strikeout resulted in the second out and the end for Pearson, who was replaced by Brendon Little in as high of a pressure situation that the lefty has faced.
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The Red Sox had never faced Little before and had one of baseball’s best hitters in Rafael Devers at the plate. The Boston third baseman had recorded two hits in his previous at-bats, but Little struck out Devers swinging.
Little was on the mound to start the eighth inning.
One swing of the bat and the game was tied for the second time when Canadian Tyler O’Neill went over the wall to straight-away centre for his third long ball in two games.
Little left the game with two outs and a runner on first when he was relieved by Chad Green, who, in essence, is the team’s defacto closer.
When he entered the game, it was not in a save situation.
Immediately, pinch-runner David Hamilton stole second base to get in scoring position. Hamilton came around to score on a single by Ceddanne Rafaela.
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NEWS AND VIEWS
No surprise to learn the Jays made the right move in moving Bo Bichette to the 10-day injured list.
He hasn’t been in the starting lineup the past few games because of a sore right calf and it made absolutely no sense keeping a roster spot open for a player unable to play.
Bichette’s IL stint is retroactive to Saturday.
The hope, with the emphasis on hope, is that Bichette stays on the IL for only the mandated time, allowing him to return on June 25.
No Bo means the Jays were able to tap into their farm system where they plucked Orelvis Martinez to fill Bichette’s roster spot for the time being.
Martinez, 22, had 16 home runs and 46 RBIs in 63 games at triple-A Buffalo this year. He did not play for the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
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As long as he’s with the Jays, Martinez always looms as a hitting option coming off the bench, although he is still raw.
Martinez wore jersey No. 13, the same number his namesake, Buck Martinez, wore during his playing days.
In other news, Alek Manoah underwent successful UCL re-constructive surgery with an internal brace. He is expected to rejoin the Blue Jays in the coming days.
Finally, the Jays shuffled the deck chairs in the bullpen by recalling Ryan Burr from Buffalo and optioning Brandon Eisert to the Bisons.
YOUTH BEING SERVED
The arrival of Martinez, for as long as it lasts, does provide the Jays with added youth and another connection to the Buffalo Bisons.
Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer, two veterans, were not in the starting lineup Tuesday.
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Neither has been hitting, though both can still play the outfield at a very high level.
Kiermaier entered the game defensively in the eighth and had an up-close view of O’Neill’s belt.
Springer was used a pinch hitter in the home half.
He stepped up to the plate with one out and a runner at first.
Springer flew out to right field.
The return of Addison Barger once Daniel Vogelbach was DFAed, Spencer Horwitz replacing Cavan Biggio on the 26-man roster, moves have been made with more likely to follow.
It remains to be seen if the Blue Jays are willing to make a bold move by parting ways with one of the team’s vets.
Speaking of veterans, Justin Turner recorded a hit in his first at-bat Tuesday in leading off the second inning after recording two, including a homer, in the series opener.
Barger followed Turner by reaching base on a single to put runners on the corner.
A two-out double by Ernie Clement plated Turner and Barger as the Jays took a 2-1 lead.
Entering the night, Clement had nine hits, including three doubles, in his past five games.
fzicarelli@postmedia.com
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