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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 28, 2022 13:14:24 GMT -5
Red Sox
Red Sox’s struggles against Kevin Gausman continue; he’s now 3-0 with 0.43 ERA against Boston this season Published: Jun. 28, 2022, 11:07 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
TORONTO -- Sometimes, pitchers just own certain teams. That has been the case so far this year when it comes to Blue Jays righty Kevin Gausman and the Red Sox.
Gausman struck out 10 batters over seven shutout innings Monday night as Toronto snapped Boston’s seven-game winning streak by a 7-2 score. In three appearances against the Sox so far this year, Gausman owns a 0.43 ERA, having allowed a single earned run in 21 innings. He has struck out 27 Sox batters while allowing just 15 hits. Toronto is 3-0 when he starts against the Red Sox. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Luckily for the Red Sox, they won’t face Gausman again this series. But they have 10 more games against Toronto after this week and might go up against the Jays in the postseason, too.
Manager Alex Cora thought Boston’s lineup battled Gausman more effectively Monday than it did during the previous two times they faced him, in back-to-back starts on April 21 and April 26.
“He’s good. His stuff is really good, bottom line,” Cora said. “I do believe we got the pitch count up there. They got the big lead and he went seven. It’s not like we’re happy with the results but I think we did a few things that we didn’t do in the first two. At the end, the results were the same. The pitch count, we got it to where we wanted to. We just didn’t finish at-bats.”
Gausman, the longtime Oriole who enjoyed a career renaissance in San Francisco over the past two seasons, inked a five-year, $110 million to headline Toronto’s rotation shortly before the beginning of MLB’s off-season lockout. He told MassLive in April that the Red Sox never showed interest in signing him. High-end starting pitching clearly wasn’t a priority for chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, who instead fortified his rotation with (successful) veteran signings Rich Hill and Michael Wacha. But Gausman has been dominant in his debut season north of the border; he owns a 2.93 ERA and league-leading 1.70 FIP in 15 starts so far.
On Monday, he kept dominating the Red Sox, who have improved immensely on the offensive side of things since last facing him in late April. The results were a bit of an ominous sign.
“(Velocity was up, his (splitter) was good,” Cora said. “We grinded at-bats but we didn’t finish them. He has done it against us before, right? This is the third time. He pounds the strike zone early on and then he expands. If you expand with him, you’re going to have nights like this.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 28, 2022 13:22:46 GMT -5
Game 75: Red Sox at Blue Jays lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated June 28, 2022, 9:23 a.m. The Red Sox’ woes against Toronto pitcher Kevin Gausman continued in Monday night’s 7-2 loss. Gausman tossed seven scoreless innings, and in three starts against the Red Sox this season he has posted a 0.43 ERA, allowing two runs (one earned) over 21 innings with two walks and 27 strikeouts. The loss snapped the Red Sox’ seven-game winning streak. The two teams will be back at it Tuesday night. Michael Wacha will be on the mound for the Sox. Here is a preview. Lineups RED SOX (42-32): 1. Rob Refsnyder (R) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Trevor Story (R) 2B 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Franchy Cordero (L) 1B 9. Christian Arroyo (R) RF Pitching: RHP Michael Wacha (6-1, 2.34 ERA) BLUE JAYS (41-32): 1. George Springer (R) DH 2. Bo Bichette (R) SS 3. Vladimir Guerrero (R) 1B 4. Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF 5. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF 6. Matt Chapman (R) 3B 7. Santiago Espinal (R) 2B 8. Gabriel Moreno (R) C 9. Raimel Tapia (L) CF Pitching: RHP Ross Stripling (4-2, 3.08 ERA) Advertisement Time: 7:07 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Stripling: Christian Arroyo 0-4, Xander Bogaerts 4-9, Jackie Bradley Jr. 1-7, Franchy Cordero 1-7, Bobby Dalbec 2-8, Rafael Devers 3-11, J.D. Martinez 2-12, Kevin Plawecki 1-2, Rob Refsnyder 0-3, Trevor Story 4-12, Yolmer Sánchez 0-1, Alex Verdugo 3-10, Christian Vázquez 2-7 Blue Jays vs. Wacha: Bo Bichette 4-7, Matt Chapman 0-1, Zack Collins 0-2, Santiago Espinal 0-1, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 2-7, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 1-9, Teoscar Hernández 2-5, Alejandro Kirk 0-4, George Springer 3-9, Raimel Tapia 1-5, Bradley Zimmer 0-1 Stat of the day: Monday’s series opener began a stretch in which the Red Sox will face American League East foes in 20 of their next 23 games. They are 7-15 in the division, including 2-6 against the Blue Jays. Song of the Day: The Tragically Hip - Nautical Disasterwww.youtube.com/watch?v=e8Fi46BFAF0
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 28, 2022 16:37:03 GMT -5
Red Sox Select Silvino Bracho
By Anthony Franco | June 28, 2022 at 3:22pm CDT
The Red Sox announced they’ve selected reliever Silvino Bracho onto the major league roster. Righty Connor Seabold was optioned to Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Boston had a vacancy on the 40-man roster after placing Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck on the restricted list yesterday.
Bracho is headed to the big leagues for the first time in two years. The right-hander made a lone appearance for the Diamondbacks during the abbreviated 2020 campaign, then spent all of last season in the upper minors of the Giants’ system. Bracho had missed the entire 2019 campaign rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so he hasn’t logged meaningful MLB time since 2018.
A Venezuela native, Bracho debuted with Arizona back in 2015. He tossed 12 1/3 innings of two-run ball during his first season, but he followed that up with a pair of rough years. Bracho rebounded to post a 3.19 ERA with a solid 26.4% strikeout rate across 31 innings in 2018, but the subsequent Tommy John procedure threw his career off track. His velocity was down during his only MLB outing in 2020, and the D-Backs outrighted him off their roster at the end of that season.
After his year in the San Francisco organization didn’t result in a big league call, Bracho hooked on with Boston on a minor league deal in February. He’s spent the season with Worcester, working to a 3.16 ERA across 31 1/3 frames. That’s solid enough run prevention, but Bracho’s strikeout and walk rates (29.3% and 3.3%, respectively) have been downright excellent. His impressive showing against upper minors hitters earns him an MLB call, although it remains to be seen for how long he’ll stick on the roster.
As was the case with yesterday’s call-up of infielder Yolmer Sánchez, the Sox didn’t indicate whether Bracho was being selected as a designated COVID-19 substitute. Players with that designation — which can only be granted by the commissioner’s office — occupy temporary spots on the roster and can be sent back to the minor leagues without being exposed to waivers or optioned.
If Bracho is a temporary substitute, he’ll presumably head back to Worcester at the end of the Sox’s current series in Toronto, when Duran and Houck will rejoin the team. If not, he’d have to stick on the active roster or be designated for assignment and exposed to trade or waivers, since he’s out of minor league option years.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 28, 2022 16:41:30 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 14m David Price texted Alex Cora last night at 1 AM to praise Connor Seabold: "That kid is good."
Quick Red Sox roster note: Silvino Bracho would have to be DFA'd/outrighted to be removed from 40-man roster but Yolmer Sánchez would not because he's a direct COVID-related replacement. Seabold is on 40 and has options.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 28, 2022 16:43:44 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 24m Cora said the Sox will next need a starter on Sunday, as the team probably wants to give Michael Wacha an extra day before his next start. Cora said there’s a good chance it’s Seabold.
Garrett Whitlock likely will need a rehab assignment before he can be activated. He threw a bullpen today, will throw another with PFPs on Friday. Josh Taylor will throw back-to-back games on Tuesday/Wednesday in Portland.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 28, 2022 19:02:00 GMT -5
Why Connor Seabold’s second Boston Red Sox start (which included 21 whiffs) was better than the ugly stat line suggestsUpdated: Jun. 28, 2022, 12:59 a.m. | Published: Jun. 28, 2022, 12:44 a.m. By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com TORONTO -- Connor Seabold’s second career major league start was a fascinating one. The results -- seven runs on nine hits (including three home runs) in a 7-2 loss to the Blue Jays -- were discouraging. But the underlying numbers showed why the Red Sox think Seabold might have a future in the big leagues” I need to become more familiar with CSW. Feels like an important stat.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 2:21:49 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox bullpen blows 9th-inning lead in crushing 6-5 loss to Blue Jays; Tyler Danish, Hansel Robles attempt save with Tanner Houck out Updated: Jun. 28, 2022, 11:29 p.m. | Published: Jun. 28, 2022, 10:33 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
TORONTO -- With closer Tanner Houck unavailable due to his refusal to get vaccinated, Red Sox manager Alex Cora had to get creative late in Tuesday night’s game against the Blue Jays. It didn’t work out.
With the Red Sox clinging to a one-run lead entering the ninth, Cora turned to righty Tyler Danish — usually used in low-leverage situations — for a second inning of work. Danish allowed a single and issued a walk to start the inning. Righty Hansel Robles then came in from the bullpen and allowed a game-tying single to Bo Bichette before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ended it with a walk-off base hit.
Danish and Robles failed to record an out in the ninth. With the loss, the Red Sox fell to 42-33 and dropped their first series in the month of June. Boston previously had won seven straight series.
The blown save ruined an otherwise impressive comeback attempt from Boston. After trailing, 4-1, the Sox tied things up on a Rob Refsnyder two-run homer in the seventh and took the lead when Christian Vázquez knocked an RBI single in the eighth. On a night Michael Wacha wasn’t his sharpest, the Red Sox needed some late offense against a team they hadn’t hit all season to attempt to scratch out a win. They got the offense… but it still wasn’t enough.
Wacha, who entered with a 2.34 ERA, struggled with command early. He walked two of the first three batters he faced and gave up three runs (on run-scoring doubles by Teoscar Hernández and Matt Chapman) in the first. After Trevor Story made it a 4-1 game with a line drive, 113.7 mph home run off Ross Stripling in the second, Toronto again went up three runs on a Santiago Espinal RBI single in the third. Wacha kept the Sox in the game, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Boston drew within two runs in the fifth, when Vázquez singled, Franchy Cordero doubled and Refsnyder drove in a run with a groundout to second. Two innings later, facing righty Trent Thornton, Refsnyder tied the ballgame with a two-run blast to center.
Lefty Tim Mayza came on for the eighth and walked Xander Bogaerts before allowing a single to Alex Verdugo to put two men on. Vázquez then lined a single into left field to put Boston up, 5-4.
The blown save was Robles’ fourth of the season and Boston’s 15th as a team. The Red Sox are now back in third place in the American League East, a half-game behind the Blue Jays.
Pivetta has finale
Canada native Nick Pivetta (8-5, 3.25 ERA) will pitch Wednesday’s series finale for the Red Sox, who will face a tall task in Blue Jays right-hander Alek Manoah (9-2, 2.05 ERA). First pitch from Rogers Centre is scheduled for 7:07 p.m. ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 2:23:21 GMT -5
would of been nice to have a closer last night instead we get the Gas Can Gang
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 2:25:05 GMT -5
Why did Red Sox go with Tyler Danish for 2-inning save in Tanner Houck’s absence? ‘I’m the manager here,’ Alex Cora says Updated: Jun. 29, 2022, 2:13 a.m. | Published: Jun. 29, 2022, 12:03 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
TORONTO -- Alex Cora knew he’d have to manage his bullpen differently for three nights in Toronto. That didn’t make it any easier to do late in Tuesday’s crushing Red Sox loss.
With closer Tanner Houck away from the team because he’s unvaccinated and therefore ineligible to pitch in Canada, Cora turned to setup man John Schreiber earlier than usual and righty Tyler Danish -- who is usually used in low-leverage situations -- for a two-inning save in a tight game. It backfired as the Blue Jays rallied for two runs in the ninth inning and won, 6-5, on a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. walk-off single.
“Every time we lose, it’s disappointing,” Cora said. “We tried to get 27 outs with the righties at the end and it didn’t happen.”
After Boston rallied from a three-run deficit to tie the game, 4-4, on a Rob Refsnyder homer in the seventh, Schreiber -- who was thought to be a closing option with Houck out -- for the bottom of the inning. He needed just 11 pitches to record a scoreless frame. Once Christian Vázquez gave the Red Sox the lead with an RBI single in the eighth, it was Danish, and not Schreiber, who took the ball with the bottom of Toronto’s lineup due up. Cora said he didn’t want to overuse Schreiber.
“We’ve got a game tomorrow and he’s our best reliever right now,” Cora said. “(Danish) did a good job. It was a bunch of righties and he’s got good stuff.”
Danish pitched a 1-2-3 eighth but faced a much tougher challenge in the ninth with sluggers Alejandro Kirk, George Springer and Bo Bichette due up. Kirk singled and Springer walked, forcing Cora to turn to Hansel Robles, who entered action with a 7.71 ninth-inning ERA and three blown saves this season. Bichette tied the game with a single and Guerrero won it with a base hit of his own. The Red Sox did not record an out in the ninth.
Cora defiantly stuck by his decision despite the fact Danish had never even had a save opportunity in the majors before Tuesday.
“That’s the way I saw it. That’s the way I managed the game,” Cora said. “I’m the manager here and I decided to go with him for two innings.”
Houck’s absence clearly impacted the outcome of the game but Cora and the rest of Boston’s teammates refused to put blame on the tantalizing righty. Cora said his opinion on Houck’s refusal to get vaccinated did not change because of Tuesday’s result. Some players bristled when they overheard teammates being asked about the issue in the clubhouse postgame. Starter Michael Wacha and Danish were more diplomatic.
“I mean, he’s a stud pitcher,” said Wacha. “But we knew what we were going into coming here. This is what it is.”
“We’re down a guy but that means everyone else has to step up,” added Danish. “That opportunity lied on me and I didn’t come through.”
There’s a chance that Tuesday night isn’t the last time that vaccination-related issues will hurt the Red Sox in Toronto. They play once more at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, then again in their final road series of the regular season from Sept. 30-Oct. 2. And then there’s this: if the season were to end right now, the Red Sox would travel to Toronto for a three-game wild-card series with all games being held at Rogers Centre.
It’s something Cora will have to face throughout the rest of the season (or until Canada changes its rules for entry).
“We go with the 26 that are here,” Cora said. “We try to get 27 outs. And we didn’t do it.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:01:09 GMT -5
Undermanned Red Sox bullpen slips late in walk-off loss 1:32 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
TORONTO -- What was shaping up as one of the most inspiring wins of the season for the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre instead turned into one of their most deflating defeats.
When an early 4-1 deficit turned into a late 5-4 lead and ultimately a 6-5 loss to the Blue Jays, Boston’s record against American League East opponents slipped to 7-16 this season.
This one unraveled swiftly in the bottom of the ninth, as the Red Sox had no answers without closer Tanner Houck, who is on the restricted list for this series in Toronto because he isn’t vaccinated against COVID-19. All four Blue Jays who batted in the ninth reached base, capped by a walk-off single by Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
“I mean, we go with the 26 that are here,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “And we tried to get 27 outs and we didn’t do it.”
Tyler Danish fired a 1-2-3 eighth inning and Cora entrusted the righty to go for his first career save in the ninth.
Danish gave up a single to Alejandro Kirk and walked George Springer. Hansel Robles was next to get a chance and Bo Bichette greeted him with a first-pitch, game-tying single. Guerrero ended it by hammering a 2-0 slider onto a patch of grass in left.
“Just things went their way with two ground balls. Easily could have been double plays, but that’s it,” said Robles after his fifth blown save in seven opportunities this season.
Danish felt bad that Robles was left to take him off the hook.
“We’re down a guy, but that means everyone else has to step up,” said Danish. “That opportunity [was with] me and I didn’t come through. You want the ball in those situations in the ninth, I just didn’t get the job done. This one’s on me.”
Boston’s hottest reliever of late is John Schreiber (0.76 ERA), who he needed just 11 pitches to get through the seventh.
Did Cora think of bringing the righty back out for the eighth?
“I mean, we’ve got a game [Wednesday] and he’s our best reliever,” Cora said. “T.D. did a good job. It was a bunch of righties and he’s got good stuff. We’re trying to get 27 there and we didn’t finish it. I mean, that’s the way I saw it. That’s the way I managed the game. I’m the manager here and I decided to go with [Danish] for two innings.”
If not for the ninth-inning malfunction, this would have been Rob Refsnyder’s night.
The veteran journeyman has done a tremendous job for the Red Sox (.368/.444/.632 line in 45 plate appearances) and he clocked a game-tying, two-run homer to center in the seventh.
The last two nights, Refsnyder stepped in as the leadoff hitter and center fielder in place of Jarren Duran, who is also on the restricted list due to not being vaccinated.
“I was fortunate to get a fastball out over the plate,” said Refsnyder. “He has a really good slider. It’s a good moment to tie the game and then [Christian Vázquez] with the big hit to put us one run ahead. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough. That’s a really, really good team and they’re good at home.”
The Red Sox, who came into this series on a 19-4 tear in June, were hoping to establish some momentum against a division foe after playing almost exclusively outside of the division since the beginning of May.
Instead, it has gone the other way. Cora and his team will try to stem the tide by salvaging Wednesday night’s finale behind Nick Pivetta, their hottest pitcher.
Unless Pivetta can pitch his second complete game of the season, the Sox will have to piece it together once more without Houck, who will re-join the club at Wrigley Field for a three-game series against the Cubs that starts Friday.
“I mean, he's a stud pitcher,” said Red Sox righty Michael Wacha. “But we knew what we were going into coming here. This is what it is.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:02:40 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: RHP Bracho added to bullpen June 28th, 2022
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Keep track of the Red Sox’s recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season. LATEST NEWS
June 28: RHP Silvino Bracho selected to roster; RHP Connor Seabold recalled from Triple-A Worcester A day after Bracho was added to the taxi squad, the Red Sox added him to the roster to provide some bullpen depth. In 18 games for Worcester this season, the righty has a 3.16 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Bracho has 92 Major League relief appearances under his belt, the most recent coming in 2020. He has a career ERA of 4.82.
Though Seabold, Boston's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was sent down following a tough start on Monday night against the Jays, he remains on the taxi squad. In fact, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Seabold is a candidate to start Sunday afternoon's game at Wrigley Field against the Cubs. -- Ian Browne
• All Red Sox transactions INJURY UPDATES 10-day and 15-day IL
RHP Garrett Whitlock (right hip inflammation) Expected return: July Whitlock will throw a bullpen session in Toronto on June 29, his second in a span of three days. The next step will be to throw again on July 1 in Chicago while also doing PFPs. Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that Whitlock will need a Minor League rehab assignment before returning to action. -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 28)
RHP Nathan Eovaldi (low back inflammation) Expected return: July Eovaldi is likely to throw a bullpen session on Wednesday, which will be a big step for the ace righty, who hasn't pitched for the Red Sox since June 8. -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 28)
60-day IL
LHP Josh Taylor (lower back strain) Expected return: July Taylor is taking a key step towards a return to action, pitching in back-to-back games for Double-A Portland. Taylor gave up three hits, including a homer, in his appearance on June 28. He will get another inning on June 29. It has been a long climb back for the lefty, who hasn't pitched in the Majors this season due to his balky back. Taylor was dominant against lefties for the Red Sox in 2021.
"Back to back is good," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "He needs to do that." -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 28)
LHP Chris Sale (stress fracture, right rib cage) Expected return: July Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine, is already sold out for Sale's rehab start on June 30. The lefty made two starts in the Florida Complex League and threw a bullpen at Fenway Park on June 27. Moving up to Double-A is an important step, and Sale should pitch three innings. -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 28)
LHP James Paxton (Tommy John surgery) Expected return: August Paxton continues to throw multiple bullpen sessions each week and is progressing well. He thinks he will face hitters for the first time since undergoing surgery over a year ago either the week before the All-Star break or the week of the break.
"Then I'll get into rehab games and be back at some point in August," said Paxton, who could be a big addition for the Red Sox down the stretch. "I'm doing everything I possibly can to go as fast as possible, but you can only go as fast as the body will allow." -- Ian Browne (Last updated: June 28)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:04:55 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h I'd assume they were trying to stay away from Robles -- this is his third straight game.
Last time that happened was June 9-11 -- Robles blew a save and lost that third game against at Seattle.
Red Sox are 42-33. They've dropped this series against the Blue Jays.
Boston bullpen didn't record an out in the 9th inning. Tanner Houck should be charged with the loss in absentia.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:06:10 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h You could see what Cora was trying to do -- low-leverage guys for the bottom of the order, high-leverage guys for the top.
Brasier started against Espinal, Schreiber started against Vlad Jr. and Danish started against Chapman. That got the Red Sox into the 9th inning. (1/x)
From there it gets hairy.
Robles had pitched the previous two days and is ineffective in the 9th. Strahm was looking at nothing but righties. They didn't want to burn Schreiber for two innings and then potentially use him for the fourth game in six days on Wednesday. (2/x)
So they went with Danish. He was ineffective. Then Robles gave it up.
Bottom line, the Red Sox were a self-inflicted arm short against a good lineup. They would have used Houck if available as the Blue Jays came back to the top of the order.
Brutal. And avoidable. (3/end)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:07:41 GMT -5
Jon Couture @joncouture · 5h Who's got a good feeling about Tyler Danish in a one-run game? #RedSox
I'm still doing my research on whether this is a good or bad thing. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 29, 2022 3:09:07 GMT -5
Chad Finn @globechadfinn · 5h Counting that as a blown save for Dr. Houck.
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