“Honestly, I was just looking to get Jackie to third,” Springer said. “He’s a really good pitcher, so I was going up there looking to be aggressive.” Bradley started the 10th at second, the only time on base in the game for the former Boston outfielder. He signed with Toronto on August 9, five days after being released by the Red Sox. Adam Cimber (10-5) pitched a scoreless inning, giving up one hit. Jordan Romano worked a scoreless 10th inning, drawing an intentional walk to Rafael Devers before picking up his 27th save. Brazier (0-3) took the loss. “We struggled offensively for a while, the swing-and-miss, the chase,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said, “It’s late August and it’s the same at-bats. As a team, we should be proud of that. We have to get better. Make sure we’re swinging at strikes and putting the ball in play when it matters, and we haven’t done that in a while.” Francy Cordero’s sixth homer, a two-run double in the second by Jose Berrios, made it 2-0. Berrios went six innings, giving up five hits and one walk with six strikeouts. “The bullpen was outstanding and Berrios was terrific,” Toronto interim manager John Schneider said. “You really can’t say enough about the job the bullpen did in really tough spots … and Jordy was just really, really clutch in the 10th. That was fun.” In his first start since July 24, Red Sox rookie Brayan Bello gave up two runs in five innings and struck out a career-high seven. The right-hander was activated from the injured list after missing 17 games with a right groin strain. Springer singled in the fourth and later scored on a single by Alejandro Kirk. The Blue Jays tied the game on singles by Whit Merrifield, Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Boston missed a few chances late in the game. In the seventh, with two outs against reliever Yimi GarcÍa, the Red Sox loaded the bases when Bobby Dalbec walked, Reese McGuire singled and Jarren Duran reached on Guerrero’s error at first base. Rob Refsnyder flied out to Bradley in center to end the threat. Toronto left-hander Tim Mayza made his first appearance since Aug. 6 after being sidelined with a dislocated right shoulder, and the Red Sox put runners on second and third against him with one out. Anthony Bass replaced Mayza and struck out Kiké Hernández, walked Cordero and struck out Dalbec. COACH ROOM Red Sox: SS Xander Bogaerts was out of the starting lineup after leaving Tuesday’s game with lower back spasms. … LF Tommy Pham was out after leaving Tuesday’s game with lower back spasms. … After a hard slide into first base in Tuesday’s game, INF/OF Christian Arroyo was out with back and knee soreness. … 2B Trevor Story, out since July 14 with a right arm sprain, had two at-bats and played second base in a rehab game with Double-A Portland. … RHP Tanner Houck, on the injured list since Aug. 6 with lower back inflammation, started throwing on flat ground Tuesday, the first step in his development. … RHP Tyler Danish, out since July 7 with a sprained right forearm, is expected to resume a rehab assignment Friday after being delayed by COVID-19. NEXT The Blue Jays and Red Sox wrap up their series Thursday with RHP Kevin Gausman (9-9, 2.99 ERA) scheduled to start for Toronto against RHP Kutter Crawford (3-5, 5.14). Gausman has faced the Red Sox four times this season, going 3-0 (1.38). Crawford has faced the Blue Jays once in his career and took the loss earlier this season, giving up three runs in six innings.
