Live Game Thread: Toronto (24-22) at Boston (20-24)

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto: Drew Hutchison (2-3, 3.64 ERA) Boston: Clay Buchholz (2-3, 6.17 ERA)

After taking the first game of the series the Toronto Blue Jays looks to secure the series win with a victory tonight against the Boston Red Sox. Last night we saw the Blue Jays’ offense continue their surge as they belted four homeruns in the victory. Edwin Encarnacion seems to be on a special mission as he was responsible for two of the four homeruns from last night.

JA Happ cruised through the first four innings of last nights game, but hit a couple of bumps in the 5th and 6th. After being removed from the game without recording an out in the 6th, we saw a strong Toronto bullpen not allow a run for the rest of the game. This included the major league debut of Rob Rasmussen who threw five pitches to get one out in the 7th inning.

The bottom of the 9th saw closer Casey Janssen battle David Ortiz (who was the tying run) with two runners on. After a long fly ball pulled fouled by Ortiz, Janssen got him to strikeout en route to locking up his fourth save of the season.

The biggest news from the Red Sox last night was that after pitching to two batters in the 5th, starter Felix Doubront was removed from the game due to shoulder fatigue. The Red Sox is the only team in the majors to only use five starts so far, after last night that streak may be in jeopardy.

Tonight we will see Toronto’s young gun Drew Hutchison on the mound. If his last outing is any indication, he may be starting to heat up this season. Drew is coming off his first complete game shutout where he allowed only three hits against a Texas offense which was struggling to score runs.

Hutchison will be making his first start in Fenway Park but will be taking on a Boston team who is also struggling scoring runs just like the Texas Rangers.

The Boston Red Sox will oppose the Blue Jays with Clay Buchholz. Despite his struggles this year (6.17 ERA) Clay is coming off a quality start against the Minnesota Twins. Also, in his career Clay has more wins against the Blue Jays (10) than any other team he has faced.

Pay close attention to the scoreboard tonight. With a lost to the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees, Toronto will move into first place in the AL East.

Toronto Blue Jays Lineup (via Barry Davis)

Boston Red Sox Lineup (via Marino Pepen)

All stats courtesy of www.MLB.com