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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 11, 2022 18:49:11 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4m #RedSox updates: Crawford here on the taxj squad. Potential starter tomorrow or bullpen game … No IL for Eovaldi but pushed back to Wednesday at least. Pivetta goes Tuesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:01:59 GMT -5
Bobby Dalbec’s go-ahead homer spoiled as Boston Red Sox lose in ninth when Hansel Robles blows save Updated: Jun. 12, 2022, 1:51 a.m. | Published: Jun. 12, 2022, 1:51 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Red Sox’s Hansel Robles couldn’t close it out after Bobby Dalbec’s dramatic go-ahead homer in the ninth.
Abraham Toro’s RBI single with two outs in the ninth tied it.
Dylan Moore then ripped an RBI single to left-center field that gave the Mariners a 6-5 victory here at T-Mobile Park.
“Bobby. Bobby. Bobby,” Red Sox fans chanted after Bobby Dalbec’s solo homer put Boston ahead with two outs in the ninth inning.
The Seattle native’s homer just cleared the left field fence.
It was Dalbec’s second home run in two games here this weekend.
Devers gives Red Sox an early lead
Rafael Devers put the Red Sox ahead 2-0 two batters into the game with a 412-foot home run to right field. He connected on a 97.8 mph four-seam fastball from George Kirby. It left Devers’ bat at 108 mph.
Christian Vázquez gave the Red Sox a 3-0 lead in the first inning with a two-out RBI single.
Red Sox starter Michael Wacha struck out the first batter he faced but Franchy Cordero then dropped a fly ball for an error in right field. Instead of two outs and nobody on on , the Mariners went on to score two runs on the error, three hits and one walk.
Julio Rodríguez’s 406-foot two-run blast off Wacha in the second inning put the Mariners aheaad 4-3.
Martinez homers again
J.D. Martinez gave the Red Sox a 5-4 lead in the top of the fifth.
Devers drew a walk with two outs, then Martinez blasted a 391-foot two-run homer to left-center field.
Devers’ walk was only the fourth walk in seven starts.
Abraham Toro tied the game in the seventh with an RBI double off Matt Strahm.
Vázquez’s pickoff
Christian Vázquez picked off Ty France third base for the final out of the fourth inning with the Mariners ahead 4-3 and threatening for more.
Wacha’s line
Red Sox starter Michael Wacha pitched 4 ⅓ innings, four runs (three earned), eight hits and one walk while striking out three
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:02:51 GMT -5
Robles sure does wear the tag of Gas Can Gang well.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:04:07 GMT -5
Kutter Crawford joins Boston Red Sox in Seattle; he’s ‘an option’ Sunday vs. Mariners but on taxi squad for now Updated: Jun. 11, 2022, 8:12 p.m. | Published: Jun. 11, 2022, 8:10 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Righty Kutter Crawford has joined the Red Sox here in Seattle. He will be on the taxi squad “for now,” manager Alex Cora said.
The Red Sox need to name a starter for Sunday after Garrett Whitlock was placed on the 15-day injured list Friday.
But Boston could go with a bullpen game Sunday instead of starting Crawford. He might be here just in case Michael Wacha doesn’t pitch deep into Saturday’s game and the Red Sox then are short arms for a bullpen game Sunday.
“We’ll so how it goes today and then we’ll make a decision on what we’re going to do,” Cora said here Saturday at T-Mobile Park. “He’s an option. But let’s play today, see where we’re at pitching-wise and we’ll make a decision after the game.”’
The 26-year-old Crawford worked out of Boston’s bullpen for the first month of the season, allowing 10 earned runs in 10 ⅔ innings. He has allowed 11 earned runs in 13 ⅓ innings over four outings (three starts) at Worcester since being optioned there.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:05:27 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Nathan Eovaldi (hip tightness) won’t make start Tuesday, will be pushed back Updated: Jun. 11, 2022, 8:41 p.m. | Published: Jun. 11, 2022, 8:39 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Nathan Eovaldi was scheduled to pitch Tuesday at Fenway Park vs. the Athletics. But he won’t make the start as he continues to deal with right hip tightness.
Eovaldi flew back to Boston after his start in Anaheim on Wednesday to visit with team doctors.
Nick Pivetta will start Tuesday.
“He’s doing OK,” manager Alex Cora said about Eovaldi. “We’re going to push him back. He’s not going to start Tuesday. It’s going to be Nick. We’re just going to give him probably an extra day and see how he reacts today, how he reacts tomorrow and then we’ll make a decision.”
Eovaldi’s right hip tightness likely caused the sizable drop in his velocity against the Angels on Wednesday. His four-seam fastball averaged 94 mph compared to 96.7 mph in his first 11 starts, per Baseball Savant.
Eovaldi said he first experienced the tightness Tuesday morning. His hip felt tighter as Wednesday’s game progressed.
The Red Sox have an off day Monday, allowing them to move up Pivetta to pitch on regular rest Tuesday.
“We usually like giving guys the extra day,” Cora said. “But with Nick, he likes pitching on his regular rest and he’s strong enough that he can do it. The other two with Rich (Hill) and Michael (Wacha) we’ll think about it — if we pitch them on regular rest and give Nate a little bit more breathing room. But we’ll get there when we get there. So we’ll know more on Monday.”
Cora said an IL stint is unlikely as of now for Eovaldi who will receive treatment at Fenway Park on Sunday.
“I think Monday is a big day to see where we’re at,” Cora said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:06:40 GMT -5
Garrett Whitlock IL stint: Boston Red Sox’s Alex Cora says, ‘If it’s September, he’s pitching’ Updated: Jun. 11, 2022, 9:15 p.m. | Published: Jun. 11, 2022, 9:12 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — The Red Sox placed starter Garrett Whitlock on the 15-day injured list Friday with right hip inflammation. It sounds like the team is being extra cautious with him.
Manager Alex Cora said Saturday the Red Sox would have let the righty pitch through it if it was later in the season during an important stretch.
“You put everything into perspective and if it’s September, he’s pitching,” Cora said here Saturday at T-Mobile Park. “But we are where we’re at and just to get him right and avoid something else. People noticed it. He was limping. And on one play, something else can happen where his mechanics are off. And something else happens and that’s on us. So I think it’s the best way of doing it. Get him right and get him ready.”
Cora first noticed Whitlock favoring one leg during his start against the Reds on June 1 at Fenway Park.
Whitlock, who turned 26 today, has gone 2-1 with a 3.51 ERA, 3.46 FIP and 1.13 WHIP in 13 outings (nine starts) for Boston this season.
Whitlock is eligible to return from the IL on June 24 when the Red Sox are in Cleveland. His stint is retroactive to June 9.
He was scheduled to start here Sunday. Kutter Crawford joined the Red Sox here in Seattle on Saturday. He’s an option to be activated Sunday to make the start in Whitlock’s spot. The Red Sox also could go with a bullpen game.
Cora is expected to announce the Sunday starter after Boston’s game here Saturday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:08:30 GMT -5
Why Hansel Robles? Boston Red Sox’s Alex Cora explains Tanner Houck was unavailable for ninth inning Updated: Jun. 12, 2022, 3:05 a.m. | Published: Jun. 12, 2022, 3:03 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — “Bobby. Bobby. Bobby,” Red Sox fans here at T-Mobile Park chanted after Bobby Dalbec’s solo homer put Boston ahead 6-5 with two outs in the top of the ninth inning.
The lead didn’t last long though.
Hansel Robles was charged with his fourth blown save as he allowed a walk and three hits in the ninth. The Mariners walked off with a 7-6 victory here Saturday.
Robles retired Julio Rodríguez on a groundout to second base to begin the ninth. He then walked J.P. Crawford and gave up a single to Eugenio Suárez.
Adam Frazier lined out to right field for the second out. But Abraham Toro blooped an RBI single to center field (only 68.7 mph off the bat) to tie it.
Robles said he thought the ball would be caught when it left Frazier’s bat.
“Those things are going to happen in the game,” Robles said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way today.”
Dylan Moore followed with an RBI walkoff single to center field.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that “there’s a good chance” he would use Tanner Houck on back-to-back days after one-inning outings. Houck recorded a one-inning save Friday but Cora did not bring him back Saturday.
“We decided he wasn’t available before the game so that’s why you didn’t see him,” Cora explained.
“We talk about it and obviously the decision is not only me,” Cora added. “It’s just a whole group. He hasn’t pitched back-to-back. That’s something that we have to get him ready for. And to push him that way doesn’t make sense.”
Cora said the game dictated how his bullpen usage, leading to Robles in the ninth after lefties Matt Strahm and Austin Davis pitched in the previous two innings.
“Depends on how the game went,” Cora said. “They’ve got all those lefties and you mix and match. You saw what we did throughout the game. We were one pitch away. But it didn’t happen.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:36:13 GMT -5
Back home in Seattle, Dalbec homers again First baseman's go-ahead HR in 9th not enough to lift Red Sox to victory 31 minutes ago Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
SEATTLE -- Back in Seattle, where he grew up a Mariners fan, Red Sox first baseman Bobby Dalbec has made himself at home at T-Mobile Park this weekend.
Though the Red Sox took a tough 7-6 loss on Saturday night in a game they were one strike away from winning, Dalbec nearly helped lift his team to victory for the second straight night.
With two outs in the top of the ninth, Dalbec fell behind in the count, 0-2, to Mariners righty Paul Sewald. Dalbec worked his way back into the count, then swatted the eighth pitch of the at-bat -- a 2-2 slider -- over the left-field wall for a homer.
With family and friends in the stands, Dalbec had seized the moment for the second game in a row.
On Friday, Dalbec swatted a homer to lead off the seventh, giving the Red Sox the lead for good in a game they held on to win, 4-3.
Dalbec got off to a slow start for the second season in a row, but he has come on strong of late. All five of Dalbec’s home runs this year have broken a tie.
“Real good,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Dalbec’s latest clutch blast. “He fouled off some tough pitches, fastballs up in the zone, and then he got a hanging slider and he put a good swing on it. He’s in a much better place. I think his timing is a lot better. He’s on time, and he’s able to hit fastballs and lay off some pitches.
"On time" have been the buzzwords for Dalbec in his first two full seasons in the Majors. With a big, lanky body, he has a lot of moving parts, making his timing a challenge at times.
When Dalbec is timing things well, he can be a dangerous hitter.
“That was a big swing for us,” Cora said. “He was in control of the at-bat.”
Last season, Dalbec smashed 25 homers and was the American League’s Rookie of the Month in August. His recent surge suggests more good things are coming.
In Dalbec’s first 107 at-bats through May 25, he had a line of .159/.248/.234 with one homer and six RBIs. It has been a much different story since May 26. In his past 46 at-bats, he is slashing .304/.353/.609 with four homers and 10 RBIs.
The next step in Dalbec’s development will be to shorten the slumps and be a more consistent hitter.
The excitement in Boston’s dugout for Dalbec’s homer quickly evaporated in the bottom of the ninth, when the Mariners charged back for two runs and won the game on an RBI single to left-center field by Dylan Moore.
Why Robles and not Houck? While Hansel Robles (3.20 ERA) has been a pretty good setup man for the Red Sox this season, the ninth inning has not been his friend. Saturday marked his fourth blown save in six opportunities.
With emerging bullpen force Tanner Houck getting the save on Friday, was Cora tempted to go with him again on Saturday?
“We decided he wasn’t available before the game, so that’s why you didn’t see it,” Cora said. “We talked about it, and obviously the decision is not only me, it’s the whole group. He hasn’t pitched back to back. That’s something we have to get him ready for, and to push him right away doesn’t make sense.”
As for Robles, he was the victim of some misfortune. Needing only one more strike to end the game, Robles gave up a game-tying bloop single to Abraham Toro that had an exit velocity of 68.7 mph, per Statcast. Not even defensive stud Jackie Bradley Jr. could get a glove on it in center.
“It was in the Bermuda Triangle,” Bradley said.
Why was Cora so mad in the top of the first? In the top of the first inning, Rafael Devers hit a mammoth two-run homer to right and took his time as he rounded the bases. On the next pitch, Mariners starter George Kirby went up and in with a 96.2 mph ball to J.D. Martinez.
Cora got irate, yelling at home-plate umpire Laz Diaz and then shouting, “That’s two,” to Mariners manager Scott Servais.
What did Cora mean by his comment?
On Friday night, after Dalbec’s homer, Rob Refsnyder was drilled on the left shoulder on the fifth pitch of his at-bat on a 100.9 mph heater by flamethrowing righty Andrés Munóz.
“You have to protect your players, and I get them protecting their players, too. It’s part of the heat of the battle, right? It’s something we didn’t like, but we kept playing,” Cora said. “It didn’t affect the game. I get Scott’s point, and I know he gets mine. No big deal.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:41:55 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Red Sox interested in seeing if righthander Tanner Houck can claim the closer’s role By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 11, 2022, 9:57 p.m.
The Red Sox haven’t had a closer since Matt Barnes lost the job last summer. Counting Barnes, 10 pitchers have had at least one save since Aug. 1, 2021.
At various points the Sox tried Adam Ottavino, Garrett Richards, Hansel Robles, Matt Straham and assorted others for a game or two.
Now comes the latest entrant: Tanner Houck.
For the first time in his career, the righthander was used in a conventional save situation on Friday night against the Seattle Mariners.
Houck came out of the bullpen to protect a 4-3 lead and put two runners on base before getting the final two outs.
That’s not enough to give him the title. But manager Alex Cora wants to see where this goes. He would prefer to use Houck two or three times a week for one inning instead of long relief.
“We kept pushing for this,” Cora said. “I just feel like where we’re at pitching-staff wise, losing him for three or four days [after a long relief outing] puts us in a bad spot.”
That the Sox have built up starter depth in Triple A allows them to use Houck as a closer.
Houck also has the traits of a closer. He’s willing to attack hitters and relies primarily on two pitches, a sinking fastball and a sharp slider
“He’s a tough pitcher to face. He brings a lot of weird angles,” teammate J.D. Martinez said. “The ball is moving.”
Demeanor plays a role, too.
“He doesn’t change on the mound. It seems like he’s always in control,” Cora said. “He wants this. He wants to pitch in situations like this. He likes it.”
Said teammate Rich Hill: “He has the ability to go out there and be fearless.”
There was drama in this save. Houck hit leadoff hitter Ty France in the back with a two-strike fastball then came back to strike out Julio Rodriguez.
J.P. Crawford dropped a soft single into left field and the Mariners were in position to at least tie the game.
Eugenio Suarez struck out on a passed ball that advanced the runners to second and third. But Adam Frazier lined the next pitch to Trevor Story to end it.
“Put myself in that trouble. Next time maybe make it a little smoother,” Houck said. “Trust the defense behind me and go out there and make pitches when I have to.”
Houck has never closed before. His only previous save, dating back to high school, was a three-inning appearance against the Yankees last season.
“It gets your blood boiling just a little bit more knowing you have the opportunity to put the game away,” Houck said. “I’ll do whatever I need to do to help us win.”
Cora said the Sox would be careful in how they use Houck. If he pitches two days in a row, he’ll get two days off.
But the manager made it clear he hopes Houck takes hold of a job that the Sox haven’t been able to fill.
“We’re going to maximize his talent and give him high-leverage situations,” he said. Sunday selection
The Sox have not named a starter for the series finale on Sunday afternoon. Garrett Whitlock was scheduled before he was placed on the injured list with inflammation in his right hip.
Kutter Crawford joined the team on Saturday as part of the taxi squad. He’s a candidate to start or the Sox could go with a bullpen game.
“He’s an option,” Cora said.
Crawford made eight relief appearances earlier this season and allowed 10 earned runs over 10⅔ innings. He has a 7.43 ERA in four games for Triple A Worcester.
Seattle plans to start Robbie Ray. The 2021 Cy Young Award winner with Toronto is 5-6 with a 4.97 ERA in 12 starts since agreeing to a five-year, $115 million deal with the Mariners.
Ray faced the Red Sox on May 20 at Fenway Park and allowed four runs over six innings. Eovaldi pushed back
Nate Eovaldi’s next start has been postponed until at least Wednesday because of right hip inflammation. Nick Pivetta will start Tuesday. The Sox don’t believe Eovaldi won’t land on the injured list. “As of now, unlikely. But I think Monday’s a big day to see where we’re at,” Cora said . . . Hill went 4⅓ innings, allowed two runs and struck out a season-best six on Friday. A two-run homer by Jesse Winker in the fifth spoiled what was an otherwise strong outing. “Incredible team win for us,” he said. Hill has allowed two or fewer earned runs in seven of his 11 starts this season . . . Through Friday, the Sox were 18-14 on the road with victories in 12 of the previous 16 games . . . Seattle made a roster move before the game, claiming third baseman Kevin Prado off waivers from the Giants. Righthander Drew Steckenrider was designated for assignment to create a spot on the 40-man roster.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:44:15 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6h Cordero dropped a fly ball. And he's 3 of his last 35.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:46:09 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 6h With his homer against a 98 mph fastball from George Kirby, Devers now has 6 homers this year on pitches of 95+ mph, most in MLB.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:51:31 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 2h 60 games played, league leading 42 meltdown appearances out of the bullpen.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 3:58:48 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Mariners Sunday, 12th June 2022 4pm @ Safeco Field
TBA
Ray 5-6/4.97
Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 4:10pm EDT Written by Chris King
A pair of teams from the American League finish up a series on the diamond up in the Pacific Northwest in search of a victory. The Boston Red Sox are on the road as they finish up a three-game set with the Seattle Mariners Sunday afternoon. In the opening game of the series Friday night, it was the Red Sox who scratched out a 4-3 victory in order to draw out first blood between the teams. Which team gets the upper hand on getaway day and carries positive momentum into the new week?
This article was published prior to the conclusion of the middle game of the set at T-Mobile Park Saturday night.
Red Sox Seeking to Maintain Recent Surge Boston won for the eighth time in nine games as they held off the Mariners in the opening game of this series on Friday night. The Red Sox entered Saturday fourth in the AL East, 11.5 games behind the Yankees for the top spot in the division. On Friday night, Boston finished with six hits with Bobby Dalbec (run, RBI) the lone player with two in the victory. Dalbec (his fourth) and J.D. Martinez (his sixth) each homered in the victory with Dalbec’s blast in the seventh inning breaking a 2-2 tie. Rich Hill didn’t factor in the decision as he threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and six strikeouts. Jake Diekman (2-0) threw a scoreless sixth, allowing no hits with one walk and one strikeout, to earn the win. Tanner Houck worked the ninth, allowing one hit with no walks and two strikeouts, to earn his first save.
The Red Sox have yet to officially name a starting pitcher for this contest with Garrett Whitlock on the IL but due to situations, it may well be Kutter Crawford logging his ninth appearance and first start of the season here. He has a 1-1 record, an 8.44 ERA, a 2.156 WHIP, eight walks and 14 strikeouts over 10.2 innings of work this season. Crawford didn’t factor in the decision in his last appearance at the major league level, which came May 13 against the Rangers on the road. He threw two innings, allowing no runs on one hit with one walk and one strikeout in a 7-1 Boston triumph. In what would be his 10th career major league appearance and second start, Crawford faces the Mariners for the first time. As a result, this marks his first career appearance at T-Mobile Park. In the minors this season, Crawford has no record, a 7.43 ERA, a 1.65 WHIP, three walks and 11 strikeouts over 13.1 innings of work in four appearances, three starts, with Triple-A Worcester of the International League.
Mariners Trying to Put Things Together Seattle had high expectations entering the season but has disappointed to this stage of the year as they lost for the second time in three games. The Mariners entered Saturday fourth in the AL West, 10 games behind the Astros for the top spot in the division race. Against Boston, Seattle got two hits each from Ty France and Luis Torrens (run) while Jesse Winker hit his fourth homer of the season only to fall short. Marco Gonzales didn’t factor in the decision as he threw 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on two hits with six walks and four strikeouts. Andres Munoz (1-3) took the loss as he allowed two runs on two hits with no walks or strikeouts in one inning of relief.
Robbie Ray is on the hill as he makes his 13th start of the season for the Mariners in this contest. The reigning AL Cy Young winner is 5-6 with a 4.97 ERA, a 1.316 WHIP, 27 walks and 77 strikeouts over 70.2 innings of work this season. Ray earned the win in his last start, which came Monday on the road against the Astros. He threw five innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits with three walks and three strikeouts in a game the Mariners won 7-4. In his last three starts, Ray is 1-2 with a 5.62 ERA, a 1.75 WHIP, seven walks and 19 strikeouts over 16 innings of work. Ray makes his eighth career appearance and seventh start against the Red Sox here. He is 2-2 with a 4.28 ERA, a 1.248 WHIP, 14 walks and 41 strikeouts over 33.2 innings of work against them. Ray is 2-2 with a 3.45 ERA, a 1.015 WHIP, nine walks and 50 strikeouts over 44.1 innings of work in seven career starts at T-Mobile Park.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 6:36:19 GMT -5
Peter Gammons @pgammo · 1h Alex Cora's caution on rushing Tanner Houck into back-to-back save ops for the first time brings back a prime Earl Weaverism:"You have to know how to lose a game before win enough to play in October."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 12, 2022 11:48:43 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 19m Kutter Crawford starting today for the Red Sox
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