Miley grinds through 5 frames to pick up win
Lefty allows seven walks, but offense provides plenty of support
TORONTO -- It wasn't easy, but Wade Miley fought through five innings to earn the victory as the Red Sox topped the Blue Jays, 12-6, in the series finale on Thursday night at Rogers Centre. The left-hander tied a career high with seven walks and allowed a season-high 14 baserunners.
"Wade turned in what I would consider a blue-collar night," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "He didn't have much command, anywhere consistent to where he's been, but found a way to make some big pitches."
The win improved Miley's record to 8-7 on the season, and 7-3 in his last 10 games after starting 2015 at 1-4. On Thursday, Miley was the beneficiary of some timely defense and an outburst of offense.
He maneuvered out of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth after issuing back-to-back two-out walks to Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion. Miley fanned Chris Colabello to escape and keep a four-run lead intact before pitching a scoreless fifth.
He blanked the Blue Jays in the fifth thanks in large part to Mookie Betts' throw to home that nailed Danny Valencia on a play at the plate that was subject to a replay review and was a point of contention for Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, who was tossed for arguing the call.
"It was a grind, no doubt," Miley said.
Video: BOS@TOR: Valencia out at home stands after challenge
But the Red Sox put up 12 runs to wrap their 10-game stretch against American League East rivals. The offensive outburst made for a few long innings, which twice forced Miley to play catch in the tunnel to stay warm.
"I went and played catch a couple of times," he said. "I'll take a back seat to that any day of the week."