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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 13, 2022 3:51:00 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
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8h
Alex Cora on the Devers HR: “Us humans, we hit line drives the other way. He hits homers.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 13, 2022 3:53:48 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Rafael Devers enjoys two-scoop ice cream cone after go-ahead homer, barehanded play
Updated: Jun. 12, 2022, 8:46 p.m. | Published: Jun. 12, 2022, 8:37 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers was eating two scoops of ice cream out of a cone while doing his postgame interview Sunday.
He had just led the Red Sox to a 2-0 win over the Mariners here at T-Mobile Park with a go-ahead homer in the top of the eighth and a Gold Glove-caliber barehanded play in the bottom of the eighth.
Boston went 8-2 on its West Coast road trip through Oakland (3-0), Anaheim (3-1) and Seattle (2-1).
“It feels great even more after this kind of road trip. I don’t think we come back here this season anymore but I hope the (ice cream) machine is there for next year,” Devers said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez.
Devers went the other way with reliever Paul Sewald’s 93.7 mph fastball high and outside, sending it 368 feet over the wall in left field. It left many wondering: How can someone hit that kind of pitch for a home run?
“I swing at everything,” Devers said. “That pitch was closer than you think and I was able to hit it out of the ballpark.”
It really wasn’t close. The pitch was well outside the strike zone.
“He’s the only person I’ve seen do that,” J.D. Martinez said. “It’s unbelievable. We talk about it all the time. He can cover so many pitches where a normal person can’t. It’s funny because you see him chase balls and it’s like ‘Ah, he’s chasing.’ But in my mind I’m like, ‘Yeah, but he’s hit that pitch out. I’ve seen him do it a million times.’ So it’s impressive.”
Rob Refsnyder added, “It’s unbelievable what he just did. Fastball outside. He takes it to left field, true spin. He’s one of the best hitters in all of baseball. It’s pretty special to watch.”
Devers is batting .335 with a .373 on-base percentage, .605 slugging percentage, .978 OPS, 14 homers, 23 doubles and one triple in 60 games.
Manager Alex Cora said he honestly has no idea how Devers hit that pitch.
“Hand-eye coordination. Power. You’ve got to be perfect to hit a ball like that,” Cora said. “And he was for that swing.”
Devers also made a terrific barehanded play ranging to his left to throw out Jesse Winker for the first out of the eighth inning.
“Every single thing I can do to help the team makes me happy,” Devers said. “I take a lot of pride in my defense and to be able to help them on both sides of the ball is really important to me. And that’s what I love.”
What’s better? The home run or defensive gem?
“Both,” Devers said.
Pressed to choose, Devers said, “I like hitting. Yeah, I like hitting.”
Devers is having his best season defensively at third base. He entered Sunday with 1 Defensive Runs Saved, per Fangraphs.
“It’s pretty easy to get caught up with what Raffy’s doing hitting-wise but he’s been so solid at third base,” Refsnyder said. “Makes some really good plays. I was only here for this series but he made a couple really, really solid plays to keep guys off the base. So really, big credit to Raffy on both sides of the ball. It’s pretty special.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 13, 2022 3:55:15 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Rob Refsnyder on full extension diving catch: ‘Off the bat, I didn’t really think I had a chance’
Updated: Jun. 12, 2022, 9:27 p.m. | Published: Jun. 12, 2022, 9:24 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
SEATTLE — Rob Refsnyder made a full extension diving catch to rob Ty France of an extra-base hit. It marked the second out of a huge eighth inning for the Red Sox.
Rafael Devers hit a go-ahead homer in the top of the eighth, then Devers and Refsnyder made sensational defensive plays in the bottom of the eighth.
The Red Sox won 2-0 over the Mariners here at T-Mobile Park on Sunday.
“Off the bat, I really didn’t think I had a chance,” Refsnyder said. “But it kind of just stayed up there. Thankful to get there.”
France struck it 342 feet with a 101.7 mph exit velocity.
It had a 20% catch probability and Refsnyder needed to cover 73 feet to make the play, per Statcast.
“I was pretty pumped up,” Refsnyder said. “Ty is a pretty special hitter right now. Just to keep them off the bases. We had a two-run lead. So just keep them off the bases potentially (from) a game-tying two-run home run.”
The Red Sox recalled Refsnyder before Friday’s game with Kiké Hernández (hip) on the IL. He contributed, reaching base four times in two starts. He had a hit, walk and two hit by pitches. He also scored twice.
“They were playing great baseball on the road so I just hopefully not screw it up,” Refsnyder said. “I just try to be a small piece to the puzzle. Yeah, but AC (Alex Cora) put me in some pretty good spots so just try to get on base for those big guys.”
Refsnyder, who led off Sunday, did just that. He fell behind 0-2 in the count with two outs in the eighth inning before getting hit with a pitch. That set the stage for Devers who bashed a two-run homer.
“That’s a tough at-bat for a righty,” Refsnyder said. “Really, really good slider, fastball up. So once it got to 0-2, I was just trying to get on base for Raffy. It’s unbelievable what he just did. Fastball outside. He takes it to left field, true spin. He’s one of the best hitters in all of baseball.”
Refsnyder got hit with pitches on the right forearm and his left lat this weekend.
“A couple of different things are sore right now,” he said. “So hopefully ice up after this, get some Advil in me, enjoy that off day, for sure. But the body is feeling a lot better with the win.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 13, 2022 13:55:12 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
The #RedSox were 11 games behind the #Yankees when they started their West Coast trip.
They went 8-2 and came back 12.5 games behind.
On the plus side they now hold the third wild card spot.
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