|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 25, 2022 19:22:33 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 44m Man, that's a bad out. Duran doubled to lead off the 6th with the Sox down 2-0 then was out stealing third on a ball in the dirt with Devers up.
He's already in scoring position and is fast enough to score on a single.
You have to be 100-percent sure there. Not 99, 100.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 25, 2022 19:22:46 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 39m Verdugo had what Cora said were 5 of his best ABs of the season last night.
That ball was clocked.
447 feet with a 108.8 EV.
|
|
|
Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 25, 2022 23:17:25 GMT -5
This moves us into the #1 WC slot. Plenty of time left, but still something to celebrate.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 3:43:57 GMT -5
Alex Verdugo hits go-ahead 447-foot homer, Boston Red Sox win vs. Guardians; Jarren Duran goes 4-for-5 with two steals Updated: Jun. 25, 2022, 9:08 p.m. | Published: Jun. 25, 2022, 9:07 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
Alex Verdugo gave Boston a one-run lead in the sixth inning with a 447-foot three-run home run to right field.
Tanner Houck recorded his sixth save and the Red Sox held on to win 4-2 over the Guardians at Progressive Field on Saturday.
Verdugo’s go-ahead homer was the longest he has hit since being traded to Boston. He crushed a 459-foot blast in 2019 with the Dodgers.
It also marked the second longest home run by a Red Sox hitter this season. Franchy Cordero had a 448-foot blast May 29 at Fenway Park.
Jarren Duran put the Red Sox ahead by two runs with an RBI single in the ninth. He went 4-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases.
Winckowski goes 5 innings
Josh Winckowski pitched 5 ⅓ innings, allowing two runs, six hits and one walk while striking out four.
The Guardians scored both runs against Winckowski in the third inning.
Steven Kwan walked with one out. Amed Rosario drove him in with an RBI triple. José Ramírez plated Rosario with a sac fly to right field.
Winckowski threw 36 sinkers, averaging 94 mph and topping out at 96 mph, per Baseball Savant. He also mixed in 29 sliders, five cutters, four changeups and three four-seam fastballs. All five swings-and-misses he recorded came on sliders.
Red Sox squander bases loaded opportunity
The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth inning against reliever Trevor Stephan.
Stephan battled back. He got both Xander Bogaerts and Verdugo to ground into force outs, then struck out Trevor Story on three pitches.
Pitching matchup Sunday
The Red Sox and Guardians will wrap up their three-game series with a 1:40 p.m. first pitch Sunday. Red Sox lefty Rich Hill (2-4, 4.42 ERA) will start opposite Cleveland righty Aaron Civale (2-3, 7.25 ERA).
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 3:56:01 GMT -5
'He didn't miss': Verdugo demolishes key homer June 25th, 2022 Henry Palattella
Henry Palattella @hellapalattella
CLEVELAND -- The sixth inning was an inning of peaks and valleys for the Boston Red Sox on Saturday. The valley came early, when Jarren Duran made the first out of the inning at third base trying to advance on a wild pitch.
The peak ended up being the knockout blow.
Four batters after Duran recorded the first out of the inning at third, Alex Verdugo staked Boston to a 3-2 lead with a 447-foot home run off Shane Bieber. That was all the offense the Red Sox would need, as Josh Winckowski and four relievers locked in to guide the Sox to a 4-2 win.
In Friday’s opener, Verdugo scalded the ball (four of the five balls he put in play were hit over 90 mph) but only had a double to show for it. He ended up with even more to show for it Saturday.
“I was looking for a heater, and was able to get a curveball that was middle in,” Verdugo said. “I’ve been really locked in over the last couple days, and been using the whole field.”
The home run was the lone blemish allowed by Bieber, who ended up going seven innings. He stifled the Red Sox the first two times through the order (Boston only had one baserunner the second time through), but came undone facing the Red Sox for the third time. After allowing back-to-back two-out singles to J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts, Bieber hung a curveball to Verdugo that ended up in the Progressive Field bleachers.
“He didn’t miss [that pitch],” manager Alex Cora said of Verdugo’s homer. “There’s a reason he’s hitting behind the big boys. He’s a good hitter and understands the strike zone.”
Saturday marked the third straight start that Winckowski went more than five innings, as the rookie right-hander allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win. Since being recalled from Triple-A Worcester on June 15, Winckowski is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 17 innings.
“I feel pretty good,” Winckowski said. “I finally got to show all my pitches and threw the cutter more. I’m a guy that’s going to roll the ball over a bunch, and I’ve been able to do that lately.”
Despite the baserunning mistake in the sixth, Duran had the best game of his professional career, going 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two stolen bases. Since being called up June 15, Duran is batting .324 with three RBIs and four steals.
“He’s having fun running the bases and being an athlete,” Cora said. “He didn’t try to do too much. This is what we want.”
The Guardians’ two runs against Winckowski came in a three-batter span in the third inning. He walked Steven Kwan, then Amed Rosario and José Ramírez manufactured two runs on an RBI triple and a sacrifice fly.
Winckowski’s stable presence has been a boon for a Red Sox squad that’s been without rotational stalwarts Garrett Whitlock and Nathan Eovaldi since the beginning of June and ace Chris Sale for all of 2022. Even if Winckowski is the odd man out when that trio returns, he’s proven that he can be a reliable arm when called upon.
With the win, the Red Sox leapfrogged Toronto for second place in the American League East while also reaching their stated goal of being 10 games above .500.
“In this business, you’re watching and looking from Day One,” Cora said. “It was a good day for us.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 3:57:24 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Sale makes 2nd rehab start June 25th, 2022
June 25: LHP Chris Sale makes rehab start; RHP Connor Seabold joins in roster Chris Sale returned to the mound June 25 in a rehab start for the FCL (Florida Complex League) Red Sox. He allowed three hits and struck out six over 2 2/3 innings, throwing 36 pitches.
“His command was a lot better and his stuff was good,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “That’s something we’ve been talking about. We’re very happy with the way he threw today.”
While prefacing that June 26 was a big day in terms of how Sale responds, Cora said that Sale will throw a bullpen Monday before heading to Portland to make a rehab start with Double-A Portland later in the week.
Additionally, RHP Connor Seabold was in the Boston clubhouse on June 25, preparing to join the roster on Monday when Boston heads to Toronto. Cora said he has yet to decide whether Seabold will start or pitch in relief. -- Henry Palattella
10-day and 15-day IL
OF Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) Expected return: Late June/early July While Hernández didn’t participate in any baseball activities June 25, Cora said that the veteran outfielder moved around in the gym and was “feeling better.” -- Henry Palattella (Last updated: June 25)
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) Expected return: TBD Whitlock played catch June 25, a step in the right direction as he works his way back from hip inflammation.
“We have to be careful not to push him,” Cora said. -- Henry Palattella (Last updated: June 25)
RHP Nathan Eovaldi (low back inflammation) Expected return: Late June or early July Eovaldi played catch June 25, something Cora said was a “good thing.” The ace is 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 12 starts this season. -- Henry Palattella (Last updated: June 25)
RHP Matt Barnes (right shoulder inflammation) Expected return: July After throwing a bullpen on June 22, Barnes threw 25 pitches in another bullpen session on June 25. He’ll throw yet another bullpen on June 27.
“I was texting with [Minor League pitching coach] Walter Miranda, and he likes where [Barnes] is at,” Cora said. -- Henry Palattella (Last updated: June 25)
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 3:58:59 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h Second time tonight the Red Sox have made an out in scoring position ahead of a Rafael Devers at-bat -- both with less than two outs in the inning.
Carlos Febles was guilty that time. Bad send. Wasteful.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 3:59:34 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h
Red Sox are 41-31.
How shorthanded will Boston be in Toronto? Consider the impact Jarren Duran had tonight.
Can only hope that's not an AL playoff matchup.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:01:01 GMT -5
Jon Couture @joncouture · 7h Duran and Houck playing major roles in a victory immediately before they won't be available to play in a reasonably big-deal series at Toronto is not the best feeling. #RedSox
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:09:38 GMT -5
The Red Sox bullpen, a muddled mess early this season, has come together beautifully By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 25, 2022, 11:23 p.m.
CLEVELAND — The first six saves the Red Sox recorded this season came from six different pitchers. That wasn’t a good thing.
Every time the phone rang, it could have been for anybody. The Sox came out of spring training believing they had the ingredients of a good bullpen but didn’t know how to blend them together. It showed in the results. The Sox had eight blown saves in their first 29 games and were in the lower third of the league in almost any statistic worth mentioning.
Compare that to how Alex Cora managed his bullpen on Saturday night against the Cleveland Guardians.
After rookie Josh Winckowski allowed two runs over 5⅓ innings, Cora turned to lefthander Jake Diekman for four outs. With two runners on and two outs in the seventh, righthander John Schreiber came into the game to face righthanded hitting Amed Rosario and struck him out on three pitches.
Matt Strahm handled the eighth inning, then Cora turned to newly minted closer Tanner Houck for the ninth. He needed seven pitches to record his sixth save in as many chances, all since June 10.
“I love structure. I love it,” Cora said after a 4-2 victory.
Like a lot of managers, Cora believes there’s a way to use the bullpen without a closer. He tried it in 2019 with Matt Barnes as an “ace reliever,” but burned him out. So structure it is.
Houck is the closer with Schreiber, Strahm, Diekman, Ryan Brasier and Austin Davis in higher leverage situations. Tyler Danish, Hansel Robles, and Hirokazu Sawamura are available for lower-leverage spots.
It has worked. The Sox have won six straight, 10 of 12, and 18 of 22 with their bullpen playing its role. At 41-31, they’re 10 games over .500 for the first time and have moved into second place in the American League East. The Sox have the third-best record in the league after starting 10-19.
“The bullpen is a big part of that,” shortstop Xander Bogaerts said. “AC knows who he wants, especially Schreiber when there’s traffic on the bases. He’s been great.
“Those guys got an opportunity and they ran with it. Now I feel like they know their roles and we get the ball to Tanner. Watching him on defense, you see how hard he is to hit.”
Most relievers will tell you it doesn’t matter when they pitch. They just want the ball. But having at least some idea what situation you’ll be used in makes it easier to prepare your body for the moment and your mind for what hitters you’ll be facing.
“It’s easier for us as coaches and easier for players, too, to have some expectation when they’ll pitch,” pitching coach Dave Bush said. “The hardest thing when there isn’t structure is guys spend the whole game not knowing when the phone rings if it’s going to be for them or not.
“Over a whole season, it can take its toll. There are times we have to do it that way. But it’s better when there’s peace of mind which part of the game you’ll pitch and which ones you won’t.”
That Diekman and Strahm are lefties who can get righthanded hitters out makes it easier to put the puzzle together.
Schreiber’s excellent work — he has allowed two earned runs on 11 hits over 22⅔ innings and struck out 27 — makes him an easy choice as the primary setup man.
“I don’t really need structure. I’ll take the ball any time,” Strahm said. “But I know it helps some guys.”
Bullpens are rarely static for very long. Once Chris Sale returns, the Sox could drop a starter into the bullpen. There also are pitchers in Triple A Worcester raising their hand.
Righthander Brayan Bello has a 1.60 ERA and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings in six starts for the WooSox. He has pitched 74 innings this season, only 21⅓ fewer than all last season. Using Bello in relief would be a way to control his innings while getting value, and the Sox are positioned to plug him in where he fits best when the time comes.
“Early in the year we weren’t doing the job. The hitters were out there for 15 minutes playing defense,” Strahm said. “But baseball is kind of cool like that. We adjusted, and we’re getting shutdown innings.
“Everyone is sharp, everyone is into it. It’s been a lot of fun.”
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:11:56 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Connor Seabold joins Red Sox, could start Monday’s series opener in Toronto By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated June 25, 2022, 7:22 p.m.
CLEVELAND — Righthander Connor Seabold was in the Red Sox clubhouse prior to their 4-2 win over the Guardians Saturday evening. Seabold will be activated for the upcoming series with the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. The plan is for Seabold to pitch Monday. He could start the game, manager Alex Cora said. If the Red Sox decide to use an opener, Cora said Seabold would follow the opener. That, though, is still to be determined.
Seabold is excited to be back in the big leagues. The last time Seabold pitched in the majors was when he made his debut against the White Sox in September 2021. Seabold did not turn in his best outing, going three innings and allowing two runs, but he feels he has grown since that experience.
“I feel like I tried to be too fine and wasn’t myself out there,” Seabold said before Saturday’s game.
Seabold is 5-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 11 starts for Triple A Worcester, striking out 51 batters in 51⅔ innings. He missed time with a pectoral strain.
Seabold believes the biggest difference this year versus last year has to do with intent. Seabold had elbow inflammation last year, which he said played a role in his aggressiveness on the hill.
“I have more intensity on the mound,” Seabold said. “Last year, It just felt like I wasn’t throwing with full intent. And you know, now I kind of feel like I could let it eat a little bit and let the arm do its thing. It’s been working out really well.” Good sign for Chris Sale
Chris Sale (right rib cage fracture) threw 2⅔ innings for the Florida Complex League on Saturday, striking out six and yielding three hits. Sale did not allow a run nor did he walk a batter. His velocity was up to 96 miles per hour.
“He felt like the ball was coming out a lot better. His stuff was good,” Cora said. “Being able to go over two innings is important. That’s something we’ve been talking about. That tells you where he’s at physically, right. It’s a lot different than last year. We’re very happy with the way he threw today.”
Sunday is a recovery day for Sale. An important one, in fact. The Sox want to see how his body responds. If all goes well, Sale will throw a bullpen Monday. Following his bullpen he will join the Sox’ Double A affiliate in Portland. Sale would then start Thursday for the Sea Dogs against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Blue Jays’ affiliate. Working their way back
Josh Taylor (back) pitched an inning for the WooSox Saturday. He allowed two runs (both unearned) on three hits. Taylor also struck out one. . . . Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) played catch. The team recently slowed down his progression. “He’s doing better,” Cora said. “Obviously with treatment, but we have to be careful not to push him. I don’t think we did that. But we were getting to a point where either we take a step forward or we actually slow him down. I think we made the right decision” . . . Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) is also doing better. Cora said he was moving around in the weight room Saturday. . . Nate Eovaldi (hip/back inflammation) played catch . . . Matt Barnes (right shoulder inflammation) threw a bullpen Friday, tossing 25 pitches … Righthander James Norwood, acquired from the Phillies via trade last week but later designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was outrighted to Worcester.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:13:48 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8h Duran 3x4 tonight.
13x42 with 5 XBHs, 7 runs, 2 RBI in 11 games since being called back up.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:14:52 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8h #RedSox 4, Guardians 2, final.
* Another series win. 11-1-2 last 14.
* Sox have won 6 straight, 11 of 13, 18 of 22.
* Sox have won 8 of 10 vs. Cleveland and 6 of 7 at Progressive Field.
* Now 21-15 on the road.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:18:05 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 8h Sox flexing vs a pretty good team. Hmmm. Arms are coming back. Just need to see how they’re used.
|
|
|
Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 26, 2022 4:19:27 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 9h So far, another workmanlike start from Winckowski. The same themes showing. 15 batted balls, 10 on the ground. 66% strikes. Only 5 swing and miss, all with his slider, which he is using a ton with 2 strikes.
|
|