GAME #97, TORONTO BLUE JAYS AT BOSTON RED SOX

[Bear]

BLUE JAYS V RED SOX

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017, 1:30 PM AT FENWAY PARK

TV:  NESN, SNET

TORONTO, ( 43-51).........................................................................................BOSTON, (54-42)

TORONTO:

FRANCISCO LIRIANO, LHP, 5-5, 6-4, 64K

Liriano is scheduled to make this start despite leaving his last outing after
just two-plus innings because of a sore neck.  He was evaluated by a doctor
who prescribed rest, but the lefty was cleared to pitch after a bullpen session
Tuesday.

BOSTON:

DOUG FISTER, RHP, O-3, 6.75 ERA, 15K

The sinkerballer will try to recover from a tough last start before the break,
when he gave up five its and six runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings against the
Rangers.  Fister took a no-decision against the Jays on June 30, giving up three
runs.

Vets Liriano, Fister close Jays-Red Sox series

Evan Chronis

Right-hander Doug Fister goes for his first win with the Red Sox, while Blue Jays lefty Francisco Liriano will try to get back on track as the two meet in Thursday afternoon's series finale at Fenway Park.

Fister was originally scheduled to face Toronto on Tuesday, but was scratched after pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief in Boston's 16-inning loss to the Yankees on Saturday.

The sinkerballer earned a no-decision after going five innings and allowing three earned runs in a start at Toronto on June 30.

This start will likely be Fister's last for the foreseeable future, as left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez returned to Boston's rotation Monday after being on the disabled list since June 2.

Red Sox manager John Farrell says the goal all along was to have Fister be an effective arm in the bullpen.

"When he came over here, that was the plan," Farrell said on Wednesday. "He was well aware of that. That would be the plan going forward as we work through these games and get back on track."

Liriano's first start back from the All-Star break was plagued with neck soreness, forcing him to leave his start against the Tigers after two-plus innings. He took the loss, giving up five earned runs and four walks.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons says Liriano felt good as the team monitored him during a bullpen session Tuesday.
The left-hander is 3-4 with a 5.44 ERA in eight career starts against the Red Sox.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS GAME

• Liriano has gotten a strike with just 55.3 percent of his fastballs this season, the lowest rate among all MLB pitchers who have thrown at least 500 four-seamers, two-seamers and sinkers.

• Dustin Pedroia is 7-for-17 with two doubles and three walks against Liriano.

• Blue Jays designated hitter Kendrys Morales has homered off Fister three times in 25 career at-bats.

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/20170719243211464/vets-liriano-fister-close-jays-red-sox-series/?game_pk=491531

[Bear]

BETTS, RF
YOUNG, LF
PEDROIA, DH
RAMIREZ, 1B
BRADLEY, CF
BOGAERTS, SS
LEON, C
MARRERO, 3B
HOLT, 2B

FISTER, RHP

Doesn't make much sense to me

[Bill-806]

  Home stand ends today with a  "get away game at  1:30", it would be great to "get away with another win" !!!! thumb_u rofl

[ipot]

Yeah...this Fister thing is baffling.  There's no one else?   A W is a W.  It counts.  Saving the other arms for the WC trip or switching up Fister over there is "6 of one/half dozen of the other."

[Bear]

Maybe Fister will win one for us.....that's a big maybe.
thumb_u

[ojdidit]

This is a Fatima Game. It will be a miracle if they win it.

[Schloicka]

Odd play with the outfielder missing the ball which bounced right into his hand. Then hitting Leon coming home with the throw and the ball still goes to the catcher to get Leon out. Betts cleans up the mess though with a rbi single. Sox up 3-1 after 2 innings.

[Rob from Mass]

Foster needs a couple quick up to at least get thru 5.

[Schloicka]

Really bad pitched inning that should of had no runs scored. Talk about ugly and having bad luck. Just a odd odd game so far. This game has had some strange things happen.

[ipot]

Fister's a washed up mound clown. 
And just a dumb move by Farrell to go for the split. 3 out of 4 should be the goal.

Now, we'll have to burn some pen arms to do mop up.

[ipot]

Nice response in the bottom of the 3rd.  Hanley Ks, Bradley Ks and a 1-2-3.  Leone must be thinking this is pitching heaven.

[BoSoxFanNY]

Fister needs to GO.

Sox score 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
AND then he gives it back by walking the first two batters.

Jays 5 - Sox 3

(AND I didn't see the pop up that scored 2 runs.)

[ojdidit]

Fister should not be in the rotation, bullpen or MLB. Loose with the future and not the past. Just leave him in for 130 pitches and save the staff.

[Schloicka]

Fister needs to GO.

Sox score 3 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning.
AND then he gives it back by walking the first two batters.

Jays 5 - Sox 3

(AND I didn't see the pop up that scored 2 runs.)

The missed pop up cost 4 runs. Should be 3-1 right now.

[Bear]

Why is Fister still in the game?
iono