This past Sunday was a long night for Dustin McGowan as he picked up his fifth loss of the season, and gave up a career high, three home runs, as Boston defeated Toronto 9-4.
According to Blue Jay manager John Gibbons, the pitcher never was able to establish his curve ball so he didn’t have one of his biggest weapons. The manager also said with this limitation, the Long County native pretty much had to stick with his fastball and changeup.
McGowan said after the game he tried to use the curve ball early, but that the pitch was missing the strike zone and going outside.
Coming into the game, McGowan had only given up two homeruns during his last 10 starts, but in this game, Red Sox batters were able to clear the fence in the first, fourth and sixth innings. Batters also managed to get eight hits off the right-hander in five-plus innings.
For the night, McGowan faced 25 batters, throwing 104 pitches with 63 being strikes. He struck out three batters, walked two and gave up the homers. He gave up six earned runs and, for the season, his ERA is now 5.05. He has a record of five wins and five losses.
With this loss, and with Toronto losing 6-4 to the Yankees on Monday, the Jays have fallen to third place in the American League East, and continue to hover around the .500 mark.
During their last 10 games Toronto has gone 5-5, and hasn’t lost any ground to the Red Sox, who also have gone 5-5. But they have fell two games behind the Yankees, who are now in second place, and who are 7-3 over the same span.
As of Tuesday, Boston was 56-36, New York was 46-44 and Toronto was 45-47.
Both McGowan and the Blue Jays will try to get back on track Thursday night when they travel to Yankee Stadium to take on New York. McGowan has pitched against the Yankees in six contests, having a 1-0 record, with a 4.60 ERA.
According to Blue Jay manager John Gibbons, the pitcher never was able to establish his curve ball so he didn’t have one of his biggest weapons. The manager also said with this limitation, the Long County native pretty much had to stick with his fastball and changeup.
McGowan said after the game he tried to use the curve ball early, but that the pitch was missing the strike zone and going outside.
Coming into the game, McGowan had only given up two homeruns during his last 10 starts, but in this game, Red Sox batters were able to clear the fence in the first, fourth and sixth innings. Batters also managed to get eight hits off the right-hander in five-plus innings.
For the night, McGowan faced 25 batters, throwing 104 pitches with 63 being strikes. He struck out three batters, walked two and gave up the homers. He gave up six earned runs and, for the season, his ERA is now 5.05. He has a record of five wins and five losses.
With this loss, and with Toronto losing 6-4 to the Yankees on Monday, the Jays have fallen to third place in the American League East, and continue to hover around the .500 mark.
During their last 10 games Toronto has gone 5-5, and hasn’t lost any ground to the Red Sox, who also have gone 5-5. But they have fell two games behind the Yankees, who are now in second place, and who are 7-3 over the same span.
As of Tuesday, Boston was 56-36, New York was 46-44 and Toronto was 45-47.
Both McGowan and the Blue Jays will try to get back on track Thursday night when they travel to Yankee Stadium to take on New York. McGowan has pitched against the Yankees in six contests, having a 1-0 record, with a 4.60 ERA.