Red Sox Lose Ground In AL East Race After Rival’s Pitching Gem

The Boston Red Sox dropped a half-game in the American League East standings during Thursday’s off day. As they rested for a huge series against the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays received a pitching masterpiece.

Kevin Gauman tossed a complete-game shutout in Thursday afternoon’s 6-0 win over the Houston Astros. The 34-year-old narrowly missed a Maddux, allowing two hits and a walk in 100 pitches at the Rogers Centre.

Toronto gave Gausman all the run support he needed in the first inning, scoring two runs off RBI doubles from Nathan Lukes and Addison Barger. Davis Schneider hit a solo home run in the second off Cristian Javier, who allowed four runs in his sixth start back from Tommy John surgery.

On the other hand, Gausman was perfect the first time through Houston’s lineup before allowing singles to Jeremy Pena and Carlos Correa in the fourth. He pitched out of the jam by retiring a red-hot Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve and Jesús Sánchez.

Gausman then worked four perfect innings before walking Pena in the ninth. Blue Jays manager John Schneider stuck with his veteran, who concluded his first complete game of the season.

Gausman followed two dominant seasons in Toronto by registering an inflated 3.83 ERA in 2024, but the right-hander has recently rediscovered his ace form. He’s allowed two runs in his last three starts spanning 24 innings and has a 2.25 ERA since the All-Star break.

Thursday’s gem improved Gausman’s WHIP to 1.00, and he’s up to 171 strikeouts after adding nine on Thursday.

The Blue Jays are 3.5 games ahead of the Red Sox and Yankees, who host the Detroit Tigers on Thursday night. While Gausman’s next turns in the rotation are scheduled for next Tuesday and Sunday, don’t be surprised if Toronto pushes him back so he faces Boston in a three-game series starting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.