Blue Jays shut out Red Sox 3-0 in unplanned bullpen game

Andres Gimenez stole three bases, had two hits, and scored two runs

Get the latest from Frank Zicarelli straight to your inbox

Published Jun 17, 2026  •  4 minute read

Andrés Giménez of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a RBI single against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning of a game at Fenway Park on June 17, 2026 in Boston, Mass. Photo by Brian Fluharty /Getty Images

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source 

Article content

The presence of the Tartan Army added even more flavour to Fenway Park as the ardent fans of Scotland’s World Cup squad descended on Massachusetts.

Article content

Article content

Toss in Neil Diamond’s time-honoured Sweet Caroline being sung before the home half of the eighth inning, and regardless of the actual baseball being played, the atmosphere in Beantown has been buzzing.

To their credit, the Blue Jays have been humming along as they eye a series sweep, assuming the weather co-operates.

The Jays used the long ball to win Tuesday’s series opener, then resorted to small ball in taking Wednesday’s game, 3-0.

Three home runs one night, four stolen bases in one inning the next, further proof of that saying: It’s not how, but how many.

At 36-38, the Jays are inching closer to .500, even as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continues to be silent with his slug.

Guerrero’s bloop single in the eighth inning did bring in an insurance run after Toronto had led 2-0 since the third inning.

Bloop singles, keep in mind, are not what Vlad Jr. is expected to produce.

Article content

Article content

On nights when wins are achieved, Vlad Jr.’s under-performance will be forgotten to some degree.

The following are three takeaways on a night Andres Gimenez recorded two hits, scored two runs, and had three stolen bases in Toronto’s win.

THE MAX AFTERMATH

Once Max Scherzer went on the 15-day IL (back spasms), the Jays went to Plan B.

Enter Braydon Fisher, who has become accomplished as an opener, even at the very last minute.

Two quick walks didn’t help matters, but no runs were scored during his outing.

Simeon Woods Richardson, whose lone appearance with the Jays came nine days ago when he provided the club with four scoreless innings, entered the game for Fisher.

Walks marred his outing after he issued none in his four-inning debut. He gave up three walks Wednesday, but did not allow any runs.

He made way for Mason Fluharty after SWR yielded a one-out single in the fifth inning.

Spencer Miles entered the game in a difficult spot after Fluharty gave up a hit and a walk, but Miles survived a bases-loaded situation to keep the Red Sox scoreless.

Article content

It was that kind of a night, an evening of mixing and matching as Blue Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker kept moving the chess pieces.

Jeff Hoffman became the fifth pitcher the Jays would use, all five faced with traffic, each the beneficiaries of Boston’s inability to cash in runners.

Tyler Rogers became the sixth pitcher to strand a runner.

Article content

Louis Varland became the seventh pitcher used by the Jays, looking for his second successive save.

He needed 10 pitches to close out the game, punctuating his appearance by striking out the side in dominant fashion.

RUN OF THE MILL

Chalk it up to advanced scouting and toss in an experienced battery mate and sequences such as the one that played out in the top of the third inning become realistic, not to mention opportunistic given the favorable circumstances.

The inning began when Davis Schneider, who earlier made a great diving catch in left field, continued his favorable run at Fenway by stroking a double, his third extra-base hit in two games.

Article content

Schneider came around to score on a one-out Gimenez base hit.

The fun truly began when Gimenez stole second.

Once George Springer reached base as a hit batsman, Gimenez had a brief chat with the veteran.

They would soon execute a double steal.

It didn’t end there. After Gimenez scored on a Guerrero groundout, Springer stole third base.

The four steals in one inning tied a franchise record first achieved in 2018 in a March 31 game against the New York Yankees.

Wednesday night, Boston had rookie left-hander Jake Bennett on the mound making his fourth start.

Behind the plate was Mickey Gasper, Boston’s leadoff hitter on this night.

In fairness to Bennett, he had only one rough inning and it came in that two-run third.

CATCHING UP

Tyler Heineman has never profiled as an every-day starter behind the plate, but he is useful and he did fill a role as Alejandro Kirk’s backup.

Once rookie Brandon Valenzuela began to assert himself, Heineman’s time was ticking.

When Kirk returned from his hand injury, Heineman was designated for assignment, because there was no way the Jays were going to send Valenzuela down to triple-A Buffalo given how well he was performing at the plate.

Article content

As a catcher, Valenzuela has been more than serviceable, despite some obvious deficiencies as he essentially learns on the fly.

On the same day Scherzer was added to the IL, the Jays made a far more minor transaction by sending Heineman to the L.A. Angels for cash considerations, a clear sign the Jays were going to lose Heineman for nothing knowing a waiver claim was pending.

At least he will get an opportunity to resume his MLB career.

Barring some lineup change, which no one expects, Valenzuela will get the start behind the plate in the series finale.

UP NEXT

Mother Nature might throw a curve at Thursday’s proceedings, but if all goes well weather wise the Blue Jays are scheduled to start Trey Yesavage, while the Red Sox counter with Sonny Gray (1:35 p.m. first pitch) in a battle of righties; Yesavage issued seven walks in Baltimore on May 30, while two starts later he walked six; in his past two outings, he has surrendered a combined three homers.

[email protected]

Read More

1. 

   Blue Jays place veteran RHP Max Scherzer on IL because of back spasms

2. 

   Blue Jays' 'stars and stripes' cap ripped on social media

Article content