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Post by Kimmi on Aug 15, 2022 7:25:46 GMT -5
Red Sox standings: Boston gains ground on 4 wild card rivals Sunday but is still 4½ games out of playoff berth with 46 games to go
Published: Aug. 14, 2022, 10:25 p.m. There's still time. I may be alone on this, but I'm not counting the Sox out.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 15, 2022 7:58:05 GMT -5
Rafael Devers carries Red Sox to win with 433-foot homer, diving play: ‘(Aaron Boone) says he plays like Brooks Robinson vs. the Yankees’
Updated: Aug. 15, 2022, 7:59 a.m.|Published: Aug. 15, 2022, 7:58 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Rafael Devers showed up to Fenway Park early Sunday afternoon determined to break out of his slump. That early work paid off in a big way in Boston’s 3-0 win over the Yankees hours later.
Devers, who entered Sunday hitting just .136 (6-for-44) in August, broke out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning of Boston’s win. In addition, the third baseman made Boston’s most important defensive play of the night, saving the potential tying run with a diving play on a Kyle Higashioka in the fifth inning. Behind seven shutout innings from starter Michael Wacha, Devers’ performance was enough for the Red Sox to win.
“Both plays were key to winning the game and that’s one of the things I love to do day in and day out,” Devers said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I know the past couple days, I wasn’t able to do that. Just coming in today and being able to help the team win, that’s something that makes me really happy.”
After going 1-for-8 with a double in the first two games against the Yankees, Devers arrived Sunday wanting to get to work. Hours before first pitch, he went out on the Fenway Park field with the team’s hitting coaches and took batting practice. The goal was to work on catching up on the fastball, which is something he was unable to do in the last few days, and he tried to stand a little closer to home plate with the goal of driving the ball the other way.
Devers saw results, as he singled on a Jameson Taillon four-seamer in the fourth, then smoked an up-and-in, 95.8 mph fastball for his 25th homer in the sixth inning. The ball had an exit velocity of 110.4 mph and traveled 433 feet into the right field bleachers.
“The big boy was out there early working on being on time and getting on the fastball. After he got his first hit, I was like, ‘It’s one of those where he’s going to cover that pitch tonight,’” said manager Alex Cora. “He did in the second at-bat, then he didn’t miss that 3-2 pitch. It was a great swing.” Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Devers had the two hardest-hit balls of the entire game, as his single came off the bat at 110.3 mph.
“It’s crazy but the way he has been swinging the bat and the way they’ve been attacking, they were going up there. It was, ‘How do we get there?’ And he has been saying all along that he’s not down on his swing, he’s just missing his pitch,” Cora said. “That’s what bothers him. It’s just a tick.”
Devers, who prides himself on performing well on both sides of the ball, hasn’t let his recent offensive struggles affect his play at third base, where he only has one error since July 3. His fourth-inning diving stop, with the Red Sox leading, 1-0, ended up being crucial in a low-scoring game. It helped Wacha escape the most treacherous jam he’d see on a night when he’d strike out nine in seven shutout innings.
“(Yankees manager Aaron Boone) always says that he plays like Brooks Robinson against the Yankees,” Cora said. “He always says that. When (Boone) hears people say (Devers) struggles defensively, he’s like, ‘Not against us.’ He’s really good. He worked hard in the off-season on his pre-pitch and first step. You see the results. It’s always good to see him play defense like that.”
Cora and the Red Sox hope that Sunday’s stellar performance helps propel Devers to a hot streak down the stretch.
“He has been missing pitches in the zone, popping them up,” Cora said. “There’s a lot of that. Tonight, he was on time. His takes were a lot better. Hopefully, it’s the beginning of something great for that guy.
“It seems like he was on time. That’s the most important thing,” Cora added. “He can get hot like that. He can carry the offense for a few days or sometimes weeks. That was a good start.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 15, 2022 8:02:20 GMT -5
This was what the Red Sox were waiting for
By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 2 hours ago
This was part of the promise.
Sure, the Red Sox were wallowing for the better part of the month. And maybe that existence in the Wild Card standings was getting more and more uncomfortable by the day. But ...
Just wait. This wasn't the team that would be representing Alex Cora and Co. when it counted the most. Reinforcements were on the way. Sunday night, it sure seemed like the narrative had some teeth.
One of those "wait-until-they-get-back" guys, Michael Wacha, presented the image of an absolute game-changer, shutting down the Yankees over seven innings, giving up just two hits. Pitching for the first time since June 28, Wacha retired each of his first 14 batters on just 47 pitches.
The entire package - that was wrapped up in a 3-0 win over the Yankees - offered a reminder of better times.
When last we saw Wacha he was one of the better stories for the Red Sox, carrying a 2.69 ERA in 13 starts. Back then the Red Sox were nine games over .500, feeling like it was solely a matter of positioning themselves for the best Wild Card matchup.
But since news came down that Wacha's arm wasn't right, the Red Sox had gone 14-26, plummeting to last-place in the American League East and 4 1/2 games out of a Wild Card berth. On top of it all, they were not faced with the task of keeping their collective head above water with a series finale against the big, bad Yankees.
"He was in command the whole night, ahead in the count, right through 85 pitches or whatever it was," Cora said. "Very efficient. His tempo is great. It makes the defense better. And we made some plays behind him. You look up and you see his numbers, he was really good for us early on. He was one of the reasons we were playing good baseball. To have him back means a lot."
Lo and behold, hope did remain at least somewhat in the Red Sox' corner.
Wacha was excellent. Ryan Brasier continued to be the kind of set-up man the team desperately needs. Garrett Whitlock looks more and more like his old self each time out. And Rafael Devers? Well, Devers pushed aside any concerns of a late-season downturn with an absolutely mammoth 433-foot two-run homer.
Cora didn't say it, but you know he wanted to repeat a familiar mantra ... "Now, we go."
On top of Wacha's return, the Red Sox have found another starting rotation revelation in Kutter Crawford along the way. And when we next see them in Pittsburgh, the outfield defense will be getting an upgrade thanks to the return of Kiké Hernandez, who hasn't played since June 7.
Matt Strahm. Trevor Story. Brayan Bello. Perhaps Tanner Houck. They are all on the cusp of coming back to join this final push. Is it too little, too late, with the Red Sox sitting 4 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot? Perhaps.
But at least the Red Sox were able to keep conversation going a bit longer. Without Wacha and this win, that might not have been an option.
"Enjoy the off-day tomorrow and be ready to play in Pittsburgh," Cora said. "We’re in the business of winning series. Finally, we won one against the East – er, two in a row, sorry. But it's important. The offense, at one point, we're gonna get going. Those guys are gonna hit. Xander (Bogaerts) is gonna hit. J.D. (Martinez) is gonna hit. They’re gonna do their part. Those guys carried us for a while and they can get hot, too, right now and do the same thing."
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 15, 2022 9:40:58 GMT -5
Rich Hill to remain in Boston Red Sox rotation for now, will pitch Wednesday with Josh Winckowski available in relief
Updated: Aug. 14, 2022, 8:56 p.m.|Published: Aug. 14, 2022, 8:47 p.m. Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com “That Wednesday game, we’re going to, I don’t want to say piggyback, but we’ve got to find a way we can use the bullpen aggressively today and Tuesday, then kind of reset,” Cora said. “We’re going that route on Wednesday with Rich starting that game and bringing Josh out of the bullpen. IIRC, they've done this before effectively. I like the concept. Let Hill face the righty lineup once thru the lineup, and then switch to a righty.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 15, 2022 9:51:49 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK With Kiké Hernández pushing to return, Jarren Duran’s time in center field could be limitedBy Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated August 14, 2022, 8:15 p.m. Jarren Duran’s tenure as the Red Sox’ everyday center fielder appears to be coming to an end. Kiké Hernández (right hip flexor strain) is still on-target to rejoin the team ahead of a three-game series against the Pirates set to begin Tuesday. Hernández played in his last rehab game Sunday for Double A Portland, going 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Manager Alex Cora said before Sunday night’s 3-0 shutout win over the Yankees the team needs to be careful with Hernández, who hasn’t played in a big league game since the beginning of June. Nevertheless, it seems as though the Sox will move Duran to a bench role when Hernández returns to the lineup and assumes his role as the everyday center fielder. Duran still has a chance to see some time in center field, however. At the beginning of the year, Cora indicated the presence of second baseman Trevor Story gave the Red Sox a chance to keep Hernández in center field. But, with Story still on the shelf with a right wrist fracture and Christian Arroyo filling the role as the everyday second baseman, Cora mentioned the possibility of Hernández playing second on occasion, though the bulk of his time will come in center field. After a 2021 season in which Hernández played a role in the Sox’ success, batting .250/.337/.449 with 20 homers mainly out of the leadoff spot, Hernández struggled before hitting the IL this year. In 51 games Hernández hit just .209/.273/.340. Yet, the hip could have been an issue, with Hernández intimating to Cora that it bothered him during parts of spring training. Even if Hernández doesn’t replicate the offensive production of his 2021 season, he still represents a massive upgrade in center. Despite looking better at the position over the last week, Duran still remains a liability in center, where entering Sunday night’s game he has played 385 innings. Yet, he still was a minus-6 in defensive runs saved. “We miss him,” Cora said of Hernández. “With him, being versatile is huge. Obviously, offensively, he was on and off, right? It wasn’t a great start. But the quality of the at-bat, the preparation, all that stuff that you guys don’t see, that’s a positive for the team.” Strahm raring to return Lefthanded pitcher Matt Strahm (left wrist contusion) said he felt good after throwing a live batting practice Sunday. Strahm, who went on the injured list July 13 after being struck on the left wrist with a comebacker during a series against the Rays, had significant swelling in that area which kept him from throwing. Now, though, Strahm said he’s ready to get back on the mound in a real game. Related: Shaughnessy: With atmosphere at Fenway electric, it’s hard for Red Sox to admit this is a lost season “I would argue right now that I can be active tonight,” Strahm said. “But it’s obviously the medical staff’s decision more so than mine. So we’ll see.” Cora said that Strahm could rejoin the Sox after just one rehab game or, perhaps, without making a rehab appearance. The team wants to see how he bounces back Monday from Sunday’s live BP that was around 30 pitches. Making some moves To make room for Michael Wacha’s return to the roster, the Red Sox optioned reliever Darwinzon Hernandez to Triple A Worcester . . . Outfielder Rob Refsnyder (right knee sprain) could return Tuesday after he homered in his first two at-bats to go 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored for the Double A Portland Sea Dogs in a 10-7 win over the visiting Richmond Flying Squirrels. . . The Red Sox set their rotation for their three-game series against the Pirates, beginning Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. Righthander Nick Pivetta (8-9, 4.51 ERA) will draw the start Tuesday opposite Pirates righthander Mitch Keller (4-8, 4.25 ERA). Sox lefthander Rich Hill (4-5, 4.75 ERA) and righthander Nate Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) will go Wednesday and Thursday against opposing pitchers to be determined. I'd feel comfortable with Duran as the #4 OF. He won't be exposed to lefties. He doesn't get that many ABs against them now, but -0- would be better.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 15, 2022 10:16:07 GMT -5
Michael Wacha gives Boston Red Sox one of best starts of season in return from IL: ‘To have him back means a lot,’ says Alex Cora
Updated: Aug. 15, 2022, 10:28 a.m.|Published: Aug. 15, 2022, 8:19 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- After Red Sox starter Michael Wacha struck out nine Yankees batters in seven shutout innings in his return from the injured list, his teammate, Rafael Devers was asked to describe him in one word.
Caballo, Devers said in Spanish, meaning Wacha is a horse.
Wacha sure looked like it Sunday night, as he took a perfect game into the fifth inning and delivered Boston one of its best starts of the season in his first outing since June 28. The righty allowed just two hits and issued one walk after missing more than a month without right shoulder inflammation. The Red Sox won, 3-0.
“I can’t remember ever coming back feeling like that, in sync, right off the bat,” Wacha said. “It was a good feeling tonight for sure.”
Wacha set the tone with a nine-pitch first, then needed just seven pitches in the second, nine in the third and 14 in the fourth. Miguel Andújar broke up his perfect game with a two-out single in the fifth, and Wacha escaped trouble -- with the help of Devers’ diving stop -- after walking Isiah Kiner-Falefa to put two runners on base. He needed 89 pitches to give the Red Sox his fourth outing of seven-plus innings this year.
“Outstanding,” said manager Alex Cora. “Good fastball, great changeup. In command the whole night. Ahead in the count. Right around 85 pitches, wherever it was. Very efficient. His tempo is great and makes the defense better. We made some plays behind him.”
Wacha has been limited by injuries to 77⅓ innings over 14 starts but has been Boston’s most consistent starter when healthy. He’s 7-1 with a 2.44 ERA and the Red Sox are 10-4 in his outings. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
“You look up and you see his numbers, he was really good for us early on,” Cora said. “He was one of the reasons we were playing good baseball. To have him back means a lot.”
Wacha shut down the Yankees with a fastball-heavy mix and got 18 whiffs on 44 swings, including 10 on his changeup. The top four hitters in New York’s lineup -- Andrew Benintendi, Aaron Judge, Josh Donaldson and Anthony Rizzo -- were 1-for-12 with seven strikeouts against the starter. In Wacha’s first taste of the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, the righty more than delivered. Making the start even more impressive was the fact it was his first one off the IL, though Wacha did throw a combined nine shutout innings in two rehab starts earlier this month.
“I tried to prepare myself for this and be positive going into it,” Wacha said. “We’re going to get ahead of these guys then find ways to put them away either with a strikeout or some weak contact somewhere and let the defense play behind. I felt like the two rehab outings, they went well. Getting back on that five-day routine was good. Got myself ready and prepared for this start. I was ready for it.
“The stuff was coming out really good from the first pitch on. Got in a really nice rhythm with (catcher Kevin Plawecki) back there working both sides of the plate, up down. Really just kind of kept them off balance all night.”
After months of dealing with injuries, the Red Sox’ rotation -- even with Chris Sale out for the season -- is the healthiest it has been in a while. Wacha, Rich Hill and Nate Eovaldi are all back from the IL, joining workhorse Nick Pivetta and the upstart Kutter Crawford with Josh Winckowski and Brayan Bello providing depth options. For a Red Sox team that at one point had four rookies (Crawford, Winckowski, Bello and Connor Seabold) in its rotation in mid-July, having the veteran core back is a key.
“With them coming back, I know we’re going to be very strong down the stretch and that we can make a run for the postseason,” said Devers (through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez.
Wacha’s performance capped off a strong weekend for the Red Sox’ pitching staff, which held the Yankees to five runs in three games. Red Sox starters have tossed more than five innings and allowed three runs or fewer in each of the last five games. Boston’s bullpen had a 0.73 ERA in the series, allowing one run in 12⅓ innings while recording 17 strikeouts.
Red Sox relievers have allowed 1 run over 12.1 innings over the last 3 games, with 17 strikeouts and 7 hits allowed.
“We’ve pitched well,” Cora said. “We’re healthier now. We did an outstanding job. (Plawecki) was great. (Reese McGuire) was outstanding yesterday. Throw strikes, you don’t walk too many people, you avoid those guys to come up to bat five times. That’s what you try to accomplish and the guys did an outstanding job.”
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Aug 15, 2022 10:18:39 GMT -5
Red Sox standings: Boston gains ground on 4 wild card rivals Sunday but is still 4½ games out of playoff berth with 46 games to go
Published: Aug. 14, 2022, 10:25 p.m. There's still time. I may be alone on this, but I'm not counting the Sox out. There's enough time. All this does is cut down on the margin of error. I liken us to Philly. 4-6 weeks ago, everything looked alright. But we had dug such a deep hole that we needed to maintain momentum thru the end of July. Philly did and we didn't. So now, we have no margin of error. If we have a two-week stretch of .500 ball, we go home.
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