(Toronto) Whit Merrifield has never played in the Major League Baseball playoffs, but he knows one thing about the Toronto Blue Jays: his team can’t wait to get started.
Posted at 5:44 p.m.
Updated at 6:17 p.m.
Teoscar Hernandez hit two home runs, a solo and a two-run, and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Boston Red Sox 6-3 on Sunday.
The Blue Jays swept their last home series of the season, a three-game one.
Merrifield hit a solo homer and also drove in a run on a single for the Blue Jays (90-69). The Torontonians took another step in the quest for home-court advantage in the first round of the American playoffs. They confirmed their appearance in the series on Thursday.
“The guys have the knife between their teeth. Not just to hit the playoffs, but to push into them. We have the guys to do it. We have the talent to do it,” said Merrifield, who has a .382 batting average in his last 10 games. “It’s just a matter of being on the right streak at the right time, having everything fall into place and being solid in all facets of the game on Friday. »
The victory allowed the Queen City club to strengthen its grip on the first rank of teams drafted from the American. The Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners are also in the running.
PHOTO: GERRY ANGUS, USA TODAY SPORTS
Jordan Romano (68) and Matt Chapman (26)
The Blue Jays begin a three-game series against the Orioles in Baltimore on Monday to wrap up the regular season.
If the Canadian team manages to maintain its lead over the Mariners, it will host all three games in the first round of the playoffs, which begin on Friday. If the Mariners catch them, the Blue Jays will be on the road.
“It will take seven well-filled suitcases,” said Blue Jays interim manager John Schneider. “But we are ready to face the situation, whatever it is. I’m just glad we’re in this position. »
George Springer also drove in a run in the seventh for the Blue Jays.
Toronto starting pitcher Kevin Gausman, a right-hander, left the game after three innings with a sore middle finger in his right hand. He allowed two runs, four hits and struck out four batters.
He gave way to fellow Canadian Zach Pop (4-0). After Pop’s two innings, Adam Cimber, Anthony Bass, Yimi Garcia and Jordan Romano were on the mound only one inning.
It was the first time in Major League history that the win and save in a game was won by Canadians in Canada.
Bobby Dalbec was the author of all points for the Red Sox (75-84). He hit a long solo ball and a single that scored two runs.
Michael Wacha (11-2) allowed five runs on six hits in four innings. He struck out four players.
The Red Sox were shut out in the first two games 9-0 and 10-0 on Friday and Saturday, respectively.