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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 4:02:22 GMT -5
‘We’re trying to stay positive’: Red Sox haunted by Hunter Renfroe, lose another series as trade deadline nears Red Sox fall to 7-19 in July
By Steve Hewitt | stephen.hewitt@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: July 30, 2022 at 8:02 p.m. | UPDATED: July 30, 2022 at 9:58 p.m.
As if things weren’t already going bad enough for the Red Sox, one of their former players came back to Fenway Park and continued to pile on.
On Friday, Hunter Renfroe — traded from the Red Sox to the Brewers in December — returned to Boston for the first time since the deal and gave plenty of hugs as he caught up with old friends and former teammates.
On Saturday, he and his new team poured salt in their wounds.
Renfroe helped send his former team into a further spiral as the trade deadline approaches. The right fielder hit a two-run homer — reminiscent of several blasts he hit last season in a Boston uniform — and his Brewers handed the Red Sox a 9-4 loss and another series defeat.
Saturday was par for the course for the Red Sox in July, a month in which bad news and frustrating losses have become the norm. It started when they learned Trevor Story would miss even more time with his hand injury. Then they fell behind early again and — despite a late rally — couldn’t catch up as it got away from them late.
Two games left to go before the trade deadline, and the Sox are two games below .500. It’s hard to be optimistic about this group right now.
“We’re trying to stay positive,” Alex Verdugo said. “That’s the biggest thing. We want to stay positive. We want to keep going. We know we’re not too far out of the wild card, so we know there’s a chance. …
“I think when we get down early or it’s not going our way, it’s not that we’re giving up, but the energy dies a little bit maybe for a couple innings and then we have to figure out a play or something that kind of gets us back into it. But really, I feel like we’re right there. We’ve been playing with a lot of new pieces and a lot of injuries going on, but we’re still close in these games.”
After a torrid June that sent them to the top of the wild card standings, the Red Sox have backtracked with a horrendous July, punctuated with another series loss clinched on Saturday. The Red Sox went winless in eight July series, and hold a 7-19 record in the month with one left on Sunday.
They showed some heart after falling behind 5-1 with a three-run rally in the seventh, but the bullpen couldn’t keep it close.
Renfroe’s homer — a two-run shot in the fifth — was an early difference-maker.
Nick Pivetta wasn’t sharp on Saturday, but despite allowing a lot of traffic, he got out of several jams and the Red Sox trailed just 2-1 when Renfroe came up to the plate in the fifth with a runner on and two outs. But with two outs, Renfroe made his former teammate pay for a bad mistake. Pivetta left a curveball hanging over the plate that Renfroe smoked to the Monster seats for a two-run homer, his 18th blast of the season.
Pivetta knew it right off the bat, and it put a sour end to his final start of July, which saw the right-hander have a 9.38 ERA in five starts during the month.
Still, the Red Sox found themselves with a chance as they tried to mount a late comeback. Four singles, and then J.D. Martinez’s sac fly made it a 5-4 game. But the rally died in frustrating fashion. Verdugo hit a laser down the first-base line that looked destined for extra bases, but it was caught by Rowdy Tellez to end the inning.
Verdugo, who’s often been snakebitten offensively this season with hard-hit outs, stood at the plate for a moment, seemingly in a state of disbelief. That’s just the way it’s been going for the Red Sox.
“I didn’t even really have time to think,” Verdugo said. “Before I could even get a step to first, I just heard the smack of the glove. …
“Bad break. Tough. … It’s part of the game. It’s what it is. It’s a little bit upsetting at first, but I did what I had to do.”
But it went south quickly after that. Jake Diekman hit a batter, walked the next and then threw a wild pitch to start the eighth. The Brewers tacked on one run in that inning before they put the game to bed in the ninth with three more against Ryan Brasier and Hirokazu Sawamura.
There wasn’t another rally left in the Red Sox.
“We need to get to the next level,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “It seems like we haven’t been able to do that throughout the season, let’s be honest. We take a few steps forward and then a lot of steps back. We’ve been very inconsistent, especially in the middle of the game. Can’t rely on the back end of the bullpen every day and knowing where we’re at in the schedule and what we’ve got left.”
The schedule says there are 60 games left and the standings say the Red Sox are 4 1/2 games back of the third wild card spot. But with Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching and poor play mounting on top of a depleted roster, the confidence this group can turn this around — at least from the outside — is waning.
Inside the clubhouse, they’re still believing.
“I think we’re doing a lot of things right,” Pivetta said. “I think where we’re at right now, there’s a lot to build on. You look at where we are, where we were in June. We had a 20-9 record. This month hasn’t been as good. But there’s still 60 games left. I think a lot of people are talking, but I think that there’s a lot of time. I think the direction everyone’s going, we’re going to be really competitive and we’re going to do a good job.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 4:12:48 GMT -5
Brewers @ Red Sox Sunday 31rst July 1:30pm @ Fenway
Ashby 2-8/4.38
Winckowski 3-5/5.18
Brewers' Aaron Ashby to face Red Sox, build on recent success FLM
Aaron Ashby won't be seeking a repeat result, but the Milwaukee Brewers left-hander will be aiming for a repeat performance when he takes the mound against the host Boston Red Sox in the finale of their three-game series on Sunday.
Ashby (2-8, 4.38 ERA) has lost his past two starts, but pitched well enough to win his last outing.
He held the Colorado Rockies to two runs and five hits in a career-high seven innings on Monday, but the offense didn't provide any run support in the 2-0 loss in Milwaukee.
Ashby also threw a career-high 111 pitches, 81 for strikes, the most by a Milwaukee pitcher since Jimmy Nelson also threw 81 strikes amid 118 total pitches in a 2-1 complete-game victory against the San Diego Padres in Milwaukee on June 18, 2017.
Ashby threw 45 pitches that were either called strikes or the batter swung and missed, the second most in the majors this season.
It was also Ashby's first start since signing a five-year contract extension.
"(Ashby) did everything well," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. "When he stays in the zone, there's going to be good results."
Ashby's only mistake was a slider down the middle to Elias Diaz, who hit it over the left field fence to lead off the third.
"(Ashby) gave up the two runs because he just threw a couple of pitches in the zone," Brewers catcher Pedro Severino said. "That's sometimes the problem when a pitcher throws lots of strikes, but that's the way that I want to see him throw every day."
Ashby has never faced the Red Sox in his two-year career in the majors.
He'll face a Boston team that's lost seven of nine since the All-Star break to fall into last place in the American League East and is 7-19 in July.
"We take a few steps forward and then a lot of steps back," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We've been very inconsistent."
Making things more difficult, the Red Sox are without two key players.
Trevor Story, who leads the team with 58 RBIs, hasn't played since July 12 because of a recently discovered hairline fracture in his wrist, which will prevent the middle infielder from swinging a bat for another 10-14 days.
Rafael Devers, who leads the Red Sox in batting average (.324) and home runs (22), hasn't played since July 22 because of a right hamstring injury, but the third baseman could return during the upcoming three-game series at the Houston Astros.
J.D. Martinez, another important piece of the batting order, does not have a hit in his past 24 at-bats.
Rookie right-hander Josh Winckowski will try to become the first starting pitcher for Boston to record a win after they've been unable to do so in the past 29 games, the third-longest streak in MLB history and the longest since the Mariners went 33 games in 1979.
Winckowski (3-5, 5.18) has a 6.75 ERA in July and has lost all four of his starts. He went 3-0 in three starts in June with a 2.12 ERA.
He came off the COVID-19 list before his most recent start and lasted just three innings in an 8-3 loss Tuesday to the Cleveland Guardians, which dropped the Red Sox into last place in the AL East.
He gave up five runs on six hits and a walk, with one strikeout.
Winckowski has never faced the Brewers.
--Field Level Media
Brewers at Red Sox Sunday, at 1:35 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 82° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 4 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 1:35 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by Kimmi on Jul 31, 2022 8:03:16 GMT -5
‘We’re trying to stay positive’: Red Sox haunted by Hunter Renfroe, lose another series as trade deadline nears Red Sox fall to 7-19 in July It seems like our former players always hurt us when they play against us.
This team is extremely difficult to watch. That's saying a lot coming from me.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 9:36:34 GMT -5
Boston Sports Info @bostonsportsinf ·
Red Sox
Starting pitching - July
26 GS - (0-13, .000)
113.0 IP - 7.25 ERA - 1.72 WHIP
Red Sox would be just the 2nd team (1996 Tigers) since 1901, in MLB history, to go an entire month without a SP win
min 25 games - 12,395 qualify
read that again - 2nd out of 12,395
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 10:40:35 GMT -5
Game 103: Brewers at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated July 31, 2022, 44 minutes ago The struggles continue for the Red Sox after another loss to the Brewers, and it’s hard not to wonder if Sunday’s series finale could be the last home game at Fenway for some of Boston’s stars. Josh Winckowski stands between the Sox and a sweep; the rookie has been shaky in July after an impressive June, allowing 14 earned runs in 14 innings over his last three starts. Aaron Ashby will make his first career start against Boston and at Fenway. The lefty has moved to the rotation after starting the season in the bullpen and has had very little decision luck, a respectable 4.38 ERA affording Ashby just a 2-8 record on the year. He allowed just two earned runs in seven innings of work against the Rockies last time out, striking out nine, but took a loss for his troubles. Lineups BREWERS (57-44): 1. Christian Yelich (L) LF 2. Willy Adames (R) SS 3. Rowdy Tellez (L) 1B 4. Andrew McCutchen (R) DH 5. Kolten Wong (L) 2B 6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 7. Luis Urias (R) 3B 8. Omar Narvaez (L) C 9. Tyrone Taylor (R) CF Pitching: LHP Aaron Ashby (2-8, 4.38 ERA) RED SOX (50-52):1. Jaylin Davis (R) RF 2. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Christian Vazquez (R) C 5. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 6. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 7. Christian Arroyo (R) 3B 8. Yolmer Sanchez (S) 2B 9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) CF Pitching: RHP Josh Winckowski (3-5, 5.18 ERA) Time: 1:35 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Brewers vs. Winckowski: Has not faced any Milwaukee batters Red Sox vs. Ashby: Refsnyder 0-1 Stat of the day: The 2022 Pirates and 1996 Tigers are the only teams in MLB history without a single win from a starting pitcher in a calendar month; the Red Sox can join them if Winckowski is not credited with a win Sunday.Notes: Trevor Story won’t swing a bat for the next two weeks after a hairline fracture was discovered in his right wrist ... Rafael Devers, who leads the Red Sox in batting average (.324) and home runs (22), hasn’t played since July 22 because of a right hamstring injury, but could return during the upcoming three-game series in Houston ... J.D. Martinez does not have a hit in his past 24 at-bats ... Winckowski has a 6.75 ERA in July and has lost all four of his starts. He went 3-0 in three starts in June with a 2.12 ERA ... The Sox have lost seven of nine since the All-Star break to fall into last place in the American League East and are 7-19 in July. Song of the Day: The Police- Message in a Bottlewww.youtube.com/watch?v=MbXWrmQW-OE
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 10:51:43 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 44m Cora on staying even-keeled during rough Red Sox stretch: “I put myself in a deeper hole two years ago. … I’m lucky this organization gave me a chance to come back. I’m going to enjoy every day.”
Cora adds, “At the end of the day, we’re still right there.”
Cora on Red Sox in July: “We’ve just played bad baseball.”
Cora on Vázquez and whether rumors are tough on him: “If it’s been tough on him, he hasn’t shown it on the field.”
Cora says everything went well with Kiké Hernández swinging a bat on Saturday. Says “goal is for him to be ready at one point this month.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 10:53:54 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 59m The crowd needs to show some love to JDM today. J.D. Martinez Red Sox Postseason Career
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 10:54:59 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 44m Batters are 16 for 34 with a 2B and 3 HR against Pivetta's curveball this month. It's hanging up in the zone and being hammered.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jul 31, 2022 12:16:22 GMT -5
JDM with a sac fly 5-4 Brew Crew 7th That is JDM's first RBI since July 11th Know one pays attention to it, but JD's been one of our biggest issues. He has a 0.9 WAR this year. He survived for a while with a huge BABIP, but as soon as that normalized, his OPS completely tanked. .490 OPS over his last 32 games. I'm not sure why anyone would be interested in him, outside of us picking up all his salary.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 12:50:48 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 10m The first play of the Red Sox' last game of July, appropriately enough, begins with a groundball single up the middle by Yelich. Red Sox' inability to turn groundballs into outs - a product of luck and defense without Story - has been a major factor in team's spiral.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 12:57:39 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 37s Renfroe drills a homer into the Monster Seats, his 19th of the season. It's 2-0, Brewers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 14:08:35 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 23s Xander Bogaerts with a two-out, two-run double to left to tie the game, 2-2. He's 2-for-3 today. The rest of the Sox are 1-for-14.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 14:14:13 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 1m J.D. Martinez follows the Bogaerts double by shooting an RBI double down the RF line to put the Sox ahead, 3-2, in the 5th. Second double of the day for Martinez, in what he recognizes as potentially his last home game at Fenway.
And Christian Vazquez, in what could be *his* last home game as a member of the Red Sox, follows with another double down the RF line to put the Red Sox ahead, 4-2. Vazquez was fired up after sliding into second.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 14:18:05 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 49s Verdugo delivers the fourth straight run-scoring double of the fifth inning for the Red Sox, driving in Vazquez with a liner down the LF line. It's 5-2 Red Sox.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2022 14:39:25 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 42s The Red Sox have hit six doubles in their last 8 plate appearances, with Arroyo and Bradley's doubles in the sixth putting the Sox ahead, 6-2. Bradley smoked a pitch off Milner (LHP) into the triangle; it skipped into the bullpen for a ground-rule double.
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