This was quite the pitcher’s duel.

Matthew Boyd was just amazing for six innings. He had allowed just one hit with no walks and was just cruising. Then, in the seventh, Davis Schneider led off with a walk. Ernie Clement bunted him to second (even against the lefty, one of those things turns Tom’s hair grey), and then Vlad Guerrero hit his 20th home run of the season. 106.5 mph, 404 feet. One of those clutch moments that you read about.

It didn’t seems like we could hit anything hard all game long against Boyd, who seemed to just throw good strikes all game long. He went seven innings, two hits, one walk, with five strikeouts. Only 78 pitches.

We could have had another one in the eighth. Addison Barger led off with a single. Daulton Varsho came in to pitch run (and play defense in the bottom of the inning). Myles Straw put down a bunt (I’m more ok with Straw bunting against a right-hander). But Tyler Heineman ground out and Alejandro Kirk (pinch-hitting) struck out. Krik had a call at the top corner of the zone and then felt he had to chase on one out of the zone.

I was happy to get Varsho into center field. I thought Straw had two fly balls that he should have caught, and he seemed to give up on. Varsho is so good in center.

We ended up with just 3 hits.

Max Scherzer was about as good as Boyd, going 7 innings plus one batter. Allowing five hits, one walk with three strikeouts. Unfortunately, one of the hits was a Michael Busch home run. But Max was super.

He was helped out by Davis Schneider who made a pretty amazing in the second inning, even if he took a circular route.

Scherzer gave up a double to start the eighth, and that was the end of his day. Brendon Little came in. He’s had a tough time of late. Seiya Suzuki, pinch-hitting, walked. A wild pitch put runners on second and third. But Little got two strikeouts (amazing pitches). Seranthony Donminguez came in and got Carson Kelly to strikeout.

Jeff Hoffman came in for the one-run save. He got a strikeout, then Nico Hoerner bounced a single through the infield (soft hit, I was surprised when it got through). But a strikeout, a steal and another strikeout. Save number 27 for Hoffman.

Jays of the Day: Vlad (.356 WPA), Hoffman (.158), Dominguez (.148) and Little (.119). And I’m giving one to Scherzer (.067) for the seven innings of one-run ball. Let’s give Davis an honourable mention for the catch.

No one gets the Other Award. Loperfido had the low mark at -.076.

Tomorrow we have the Rangers in town. Another great pitcher faces the Jays, Jacob deGrom (10-5, 2.86) goes against Chris Bassitt (11-6, 4.17).