Toronto goes with limited options in overworked 'pen

BOSTON -- The Blue Jays didn't have a full bullpen to pull from during Saturday's game against the Red Sox.

After short starts from Josh Johnson and Chien-Ming Wang, the bullpen was forced to work 13 innings over the last two nights. As a result Aaron Loup, who pitched two innings Friday and 1 1/3 on Thursday, was unavailable. Manager John Gibbons said he would also try to avoid using Brett Cecil, who has also pitched the past two games.

The Blue Jays' bullpen is deep, though. They carry eight relievers on their roster, one more than many teams in the league.

Though used heavily over the past two games, the 'pen held up well, surrendering just two runs over the 13 innings (1.38 ERA).

The two runs they gave up happened to be the difference in Toronto's 7-5 loss Friday at Fenway Park, but Gibbons was not pointing any fingers.

"Like I said, they're not going to be perfect every time out there," he said.

The entire month of June has been one to remember for the Toronto relievers. Entering Saturday, they collectively have a 1.00 ERA this month, putting them on pace to beat the franchise-best mark in a month set by the 1992 Blue Jays, who had a 1.50 ERA in September.