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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 3:34:48 GMT -5
Arroyo, Verdugo, Hill lead Red Sox over skidding Pirates 8-3 AP
PITTSBURGH (AP) Christian Arroyo had three hits and three RBIs, Alex Verdugo reached base five times and 42-year-old Rich Hill won for the first time in nearly two months as the Boston Red Sox beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-3 on Wednesday night.
The Red Sox won for the fifth time in six games and got back to .500 at 59-59. Boston is four games behind Toronto in the race for the third and final AL wild-card spot.
Arroyo hit a two-run double and scored on Kike Hernandez's sacrifice fly in the second inning as Boston went ahead for good 3-2. Arroyo also singled in a run in a three-run ninth that broke the game open.
Over the last two weeks, Arroyo has emerged as the Red Sox's regular second baseman. The utility infielder has started the last 10 games at the position.
Verdugo was 3 for 3 with two walks from the cleanup spot.
''Alex did a really good job today, he recognized patterns, put together good swings and was patient in certain at-bats,'' Boston manager Alex Cora said. ''Arroyo had some really good at-bats. It was a good one for us.''
Cora was especially pleased that the Red Sox drew seven walks. Verdugo helped boost that total on a night when the Pirates never got him out.
''I feel good, I feel locked in, I feel like I am staying with my approach and not deviating from it,'' Verdugo said. ''I'm just looking for a pitch to drive, taking the close (pitches) then when two strikes comes we're just battling.''
Hill (5-5) allowed two runs on three hits in five innings for his first win since June 26. He struck out four and walked none. The left-hander was making his third start since missing a month with a sprained left knee.
The last time Hill pitched at PNC Park, he took a no-hitter into the 10th inning for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug. 23, 2017, before Josh Harrison hit a game-ending home run.
Hill didn't flirt with immortality this time. Kevin Newman led off the first inning with a single and Bryan Reynolds followed with a two-run home run into the bullpen in center field. The Pirates didn't score again until the ninth inning as their losing streak reached six games. Reynolds had two hits.
As an 18-year veteran, Hill was able to keep his composure after the rough start.
''They got two hits, two runs and he knew he had to slow down and then he did amazing job,'' Cora said.
Quickly down 2-0, Hill bounced back to retire the next 12 batters before Rodolfo Castro singled leading off the fifth inning. The Red Sox went ahead 3-2 an inning later.
''It was efficient, we got a lot of action within the first three pitches (of an at-bats) and (shortstop Xander Bogaerts) was outstanding with his Gold Glove defense,'' Hill said. ''It was good to stay within the parameters of the game and give us a chance to win after the way the game started. I think it was a case of buckling down and staying in the moment.''
The Red Sox made it 4-2 on Verdugo's RBI double in the fifth.
Rookie Roansy Contreras (3-3) was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis prior to the game and allowed four runs on six hits in six innings with four walks and three strikeouts. He had been sent to the minor leagues July 7 to limit his innings pitched.
''He gutted his way through six innings,'' Pittsburgh manager Derek Shelton said. ''It just shows he has really good stuff. He was able to navigate his way through a good lineup by manipulating his slider on a night when he was inconsistent with his fastball.''
Boston broke the game open in the final two innings. Pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder drew a bases-loaded walk from Eric Stout in the eighth and then Kevin Plawecki hit a two-run double in the ninth to increase the lead to 8-2.
Ben Gamel hit an RBI single for the Pirates in the bottom of the ninth.
EOVALDI SCRATCHED
The Red Sox scratched right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from his scheduled start Thursday night against the Pirates because of tightness in his shoulder area. Rookie Josh Winckowski will take his place.
Cora said the Red Sox were just being cautious and Eovaldi has been slotted to pitch next Tuesday against Toronto in Boston.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: LHP James Paxton is expected to make his first rehab start Thursday in the Florida Gulf Coast League. After undergoing Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery last year, Paxton signed with Boston as a free agent in December. . LHP Matt Strahm (left wrist contusion) is expected to join the team Thursday and could be activated from the injured list then . Bogaerts (bruised right shin) returned to the lineup after sitting out Tuesday.
Pirates: C Tyler Heineman (right groin strain) was activated from the 10-day DL, C Jose Godoy was optioned to Indianapolis and RHP Austin Brice was designated for assignment. . RHP Mitch Keller played catch a day after being removed from his start after two innings because of shoulder fatigue. . RHP David Bednar (low back inflammation) may be able to start playing catch by the weekend. . Though out for the season following hamstring surgery, C Roberto Perez has been cleared to participate in baseball activities and is hopeful of playing winter ball.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: Winckowski (5-5, 4.69) will try to help Boston sweep the three-game series. He is 2-0 with a 3.45 ERA in his last three starts after losing his previous four outings.
Pirates: RHP JT Brubaker (2-10, 4.45) is winless in six starts since the beginning of July, going 0-3 with a 4.88 ERA.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:19:43 GMT -5
Hill gives Red Sox clutch start to extend win streak 1:21 AM ADT Jake Crouse
Jake Crouse @jakecrousemlb
PITTSBURGH -- The Red Sox were expected to piggyback Rich Hill’s start with a multi-inning appearance from Josh Winckowski in relief.
Hill laid rest to those plans, producing the strongest start since his return from the injured list in the Red Sox’s 8-3 win over the Pirates at PNC Park on Wednesday.
It seemed the piggyback option would come to fruition early. Hill’s last start at PNC Park was on Aug. 23, 2017, when he lost a nine-inning no-hit bid in the 10th on a walk-off homer from Josh Harrison. Kevin Newman nixed any hope of that on the first pitch of Hill’s start, as he lined a high-zone fastball for a base hit.
Bryan Reynolds took two pitches low before sending another high-zone fastball from Hill to the visiting bullpen in left-center field for a homer.
“For whatever reason, it didn’t come out of my hand the way I wanted to,” Hill said. “As I got into the game, the ball started coming out better.”
But it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, right? Using what he called a closer’s mentality, Hill stepped on the gas and retired the next 12 batters in order, reminiscent of that famous outing at PNC Park, before he allowed a ground-ball single by Rodolfo Castro to begin the fifth inning.
Hill recorded four strikeouts on the evening, three more than he had over his first two starts since he returned on Aug. 3 from a left knee sprain. Three of them came on his sweeping slider, while his trademark curveball produced a steady stream of ground-ball outs.
It turned out to be huge that Hill was able to go five innings, not to mention that Hirokazu Sawamura was able to complete two innings in relief. Nathan Eovaldi’s scheduled start in Thursday’s series finale was delayed by right trap tightness, so Winckowski will draw Thursday’s start instead -- with a fresh bullpen intact.
“That’s what we needed,” Cora said of Hill’s start. “Now, we’re kind of like a full force tomorrow with [Winckowski]. It’s a regular start for him, [John] Schreiber got a day and should be available, [Matt] Barnes is available. We should be good.”
Earlier this month, Hill volunteered his services out of the bullpen, wanting to contribute to the team in any way. It’s unclear how long of a rope the 42-year-old will be given in the rotation as the Red Sox try to make a come-from-behind push in the American League Wild Card race.
Eovaldi, Nick Pivetta and Michael Wacha each have a firm grasp on a starting spot. James Paxton is expected to begin a rehab assignment and throw three innings on Thursday as he makes his return from Tommy John surgery. Brayan Bello, who is in the clubhouse after a rehab assignment, is the club's top pitching prospect, but with few reps at the Major League level, will the Red Sox lean on him in a tough stretch to finish the season?
For now, Hill is in the rotation, and Cora has liked the work he’s seen out of the lefty after he got a phone call on short notice from the Red Sox to make his first start off the IL in Houston on Aug. 3.
“He hasn’t pitched in a while,” Cora said. “He’s a guy who relies on command -- and it’s not command in the zone, it’s the fastball up in the zone that they chase. The breaking ball was sharp today. The slider was good. He got some lefties out, and that’s what we needed.”
It’s not just Hill providing, either. Shortly after the news that Chris Sale underwent season-ending surgery on Aug. 8, the Red Sox's rotation has stepped up in a big way. Over their last turn through, the starters have produced a 1.71 ERA in 31 innings, including seven scoreless innings by Pivetta in Tuesday’s series opener.
Hill’s start as he makes a case to stick in the rotation only bolsters confidence in the unit as the team makes an uphill push for the postseason.
“Starting pitching is huge,” said outfielder Alex Verdugo, who matched a career high by reaching base safely five times (three hits, two walks). “For us, it’s big to hold leads, right? We gave up two early, got three back right away and we held them. That’s one of those things that it just gives the hitters confidence, kind of gets us back out there [saying,] ‘Hey, let’s add on.’”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:21:57 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Eovaldi's next start pushed back August 17th, 2022
Keep track of the Red Sox’s recent transactions and injury updates throughout the season. LATEST NEWS
Aug. 17: RHP Nathan Eovaldi has start postponed due to right trap tightness Eovaldi was expected to pitch in Thursday’s finale against the Pirates at PNC Park, but his start was pushed back to his next turn in the rotation on Tuesday. He said he felt the discomfort in his right trap and shoulder area coming out of his last start against the Yankees on Friday. The tightness has begun to clear up some, Eovaldi said, but not at the rate the Red Sox are comfortable with to send him out on Thursday.
“I feel like I could pitch tomorrow, but we don’t know how I’ll rebound afterward,” Eovaldi said. So we’re just playing it cautious right now.”
• All Red Sox transactions INJURY UPDATES 10-day and 15-day IL
2B Trevor Story (hairline fracture, right wrist) Expected return: Late August/Early September Story traveled with the Red Sox for the start of their road trip in Pittsburgh, and he took on-field batting practice on Aug. 16, showing progress in his rehab from the wrist injury. The timeline for Story going on a Minor League rehab assignment will be strictly based on how his hand responds to swinging the bat. Originally, Story was diagnosed with a bone bruise on his right wrist after being hit by a pitch he swung at on July 12 at Tropicana Field. The fracture was in a different spot. (Last updated: Aug. 17)
RHP Brayan Bello (left groin strain) Expected return: Aug. 19 at the earliest Bello opened a Minor League rehab assignment for Double-A Portland on Aug. 14, pitching 3 2/3 innings and throwing 48 pitches. He allowed two hits and a run while walking none and striking out six. Bello joined the Red Sox in Pittsburgh, and manager Alex Cora said the club is still discussing his plan moving forward.
The righty is rated as Boston's top pitching prospect and the club's third best prospect overall by MLB Pipeline. Bello has an 8.47 ERA in five appearances (17 innings) with 15 strikeouts to 11 walks this season for the Red Sox. (Last updated: Aug. 17)
LHP Matt Strahm (left wrist contusion) Expected return: Some time between Aug. 18-22 It appears Strahm will avoid a rehab assignment, as manager Alex Cora said Aug. 17 that the lefty reliever should join the Red Sox on their road trip through Pittsburgh and Baltimore. Strahm threw live batting practice at Fenway Park on Aug. 14. He has been missed in the bullpen, particularly since the Red Sox traded lefty Jake Diekman to the White Sox. (Last updated: Aug. 17)
LHP James Paxton (Tommy John surgery) Expected return: September Manager Alex Cora said Paxton will pitch three innings in a game in Florida on Aug. 18; though he was still working through the exact details, Cora said he believes it will open a rehab assignment. Paxton took his last big step on Aug. 12, throwing two innings in a simulated game in Fort Myers, Fla. (Last updated: Aug. 17)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:24:43 GMT -5
Dennis Eckersley’s comments about ‘pathetic’ Pirates irk Pittsburgh’s players: ‘It was kind of crappy and bush league’
Published: Aug. 17, 2022, 7:43 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Dennis Eckersley’s comments on Tuesday night’s Red Sox-Pirates broadcast didn’t sit well with a few of Pittsburgh’s players.
The Hall of Famer and NESN color analyst made headlines for his comments about Pittsburgh’s lineup, which he referred to as a “hodgepodge of nothingness” during Boston’s 5-3 win in the series opener at PNC Park. Eckersley was implying that the last-place Pirates, who entered the series 45-70 and rank third-to-last in baseball with a team OPS of .650, were not putting a competitive team on the field.
“You talk about a no-name lineup. There’s no team like this,” Eckersley said. “I’d love to see some of the service time. You add it all up, it’s not much. We just came from Kansas City, seeing all those young kids. This is different, though.
“This is a hodgepodge of nothingness.... It’s ridiculous, really is. Pathetic,” he added.
Those comments apparently didn’t sit well with some in the Pirates clubhouse. According to Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, All-Star Bryan Reynolds said he “couldn’t give any less of a crap what that guy has to say,” referring to Eckersley. Manager Derek Shelton took a diplomatic route but reliever Wil Crowe was not too pleased.
“What he said was kinda crappy and kinda (expletive),” Crowe told Mackey. “I think a lot of guys are gonna take it and let it fuel us and see what happens. ... I know we haven’t climbed that hill completely, but we’re on our (expletive) way.
“I think it’s a process,” Crowe said. “I think what he said was crappy on his part. I’m gonna watch my mouth and my tone so I don’t make anyone mad. We’re in a fraternity, right? The MLBPA. We’re a group of a certain, select amount of people. We’re told to back up everyone from Day 1. We’re a team. We’re a collective unit. He’s in the Hall of Fame. He’s one of us. It’s just surprising that a guy of his stature where he’s from, what he knows goes on in the game to be one of even fewer than just in the PA, kind of come after us, was kind of crazy. I think it was kind of crappy and bush league.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:26:01 GMT -5
Rich Hill settles down, leads Boston Red Sox to 8-3 victory over Pirates; Christian Arroyo drives in 3 runs
Updated: Aug. 17, 2022, 10:47 p.m.|Published: Aug. 17, 2022, 9:52 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Four pitches into Wednesday’s game, it looked like the struggles that had plagued Red Sox starter Rich Hill since he came off the injured list two weeks ago would continue against the Pirates. But Hill settled down, dominated a weak Pirates lineup and helped guide Boston to its third straight win.
After allowing a homer to Bryan Reynolds in the first, Hill retired 12 straight batters and ended up pitching five effective innings in an 8-3 Red Sox win at PNC Park. Christian Arroyo had three RBIs and Alex Verdugo had three hits as the Red Sox drew back even at 59-59 with their fifth win in six games.
Pittsburgh scored quickly against Hill in the first, as Kevin Newman singled and Reynolds put the Bucs up 2-0 with his 18th blast of the year. But the Pirates didn’t hold the lead long as the Red Sox rallied for three runs in the top of the second. Alex Verdugo and J.D. Martinez walked, setting the table for the red-hot Arroyo to tie the game with an opposite-field double. After Reese McGuire singled, Kiké Hernández put Boston ahead with a single of his own through the right side.
Boston added a fourth run on a Verdugo RBI double in the fifth and Hill cruised through the middle innings, departing after allowing two runs on three hits in five frames. The lefty threw 57 pitches in his longest start since June 26, when he went six innings against the Guardians.
Though manager Alex Cora said he planned to use Josh Winckowski in relief of Hill, the Red Sox opted to use a more traditional relief mix behind the lefty. Ryan Brasier pitched a 1-2-3 sixth, then Hirokazu Sawamura retired all six batters he faced in the seventh and eighth. Boston piled on in both the eighth and ninth, as Rob Refsnyder walked with the bases loaded to make it 5-2 in the eighth and Arroyo and Kevin Plawecki each added insurance runs with knocks in the ninth. Plawecki’s two-run single off Yohan Ramirez made it 8-2.
Jeurys Familia, making his Red Sox debut after signing with the club last week, had a bumpy ninth inning. He allowed three hits, including a Ben Gamel RBI single that made it a five-run game.
Boston has won three series in a row, counting its one-game win over the Orioles on Thursday night. They’ll go for a series sweep Thursday night.
Verdugo and Arroyo lead way for Sox
Verdugo (3-for-3, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB) had three hits and reached base five times, leading the way for the Red Sox. Arroyo (3-for-5, R, 3 RBI) also had a big night, continuing his prolonged hot streak since coming off the IL on July 30. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
Rotation dominance continues
As Red Sox PR official Justin Long pointed out on Twitter, the club’s rotation has been dominant in its last seven games. Boston’s last seven starters have gone at least five innings and allowed three or fewer runs. That’s good for a 2.53 ERA (12 earned runsin 42 ⅔ innings.)
Eovaldi on hill Thursday as Sox attempt sweep
Right-hander Josh Winckowski (5-5, 4.69 ERA) will take the hill for the Red Sox on Thursday night in place of Nathan Eovaldi, who was scratched with a sore trap muscle. Boston will look for its first multi-game series sweep since they took three in a row in Cleveland from June 24-26.
J.T. Brubaker (2-10, 4.45 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:27:05 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox scratch Nathan Eovaldi from Thursday start with sore trap muscle; he’ll pitch Tuesday with Josh Winckowski facing Pirates
Published: Aug. 17, 2022, 10:16 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
The Red Sox will scratch righty Nathan Eovaldi from his scheduled start Thursday and Josh Winckowski will pitch instead against the Pirates, manager Alex Cora told reporters (including Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe). Eovaldi is dealing with a sore trap muscle and is now scheduled to start Tuesday.
Winckowski was originally supposed to pitch in relief of lefty Rich Hill on Wednesday night but didn’t appear in Boston’s 8-3 win. Instead, manager Alex Cora went to Ryan Brasier, Hirokazu Sawamura (two innings) and Jeurys Familia for the final four innings after Hill went five.
Flashing diminished velocity, Eovaldi has been up-and-down since returning from a month-long absence July 15. He owns a 6.32 ERA and 4.42 FIP in his last six starts but has pitched well in August, posting a 2.95 ERA in his last three starts. Eovaldi held the Yankees to two runs in six innings Friday night while striking out three batters.
Eovaldi is now lined up to start the opening game of Boston’s three-game series against the Blue Jays on Tuesday night. Righties Kutter Crawford, Michael Wacha and Nick Pivetta will pitch in the club’s series against the Orioles this weekend.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:29:53 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 9h Labor arguing against its earning potential. Completely missing the big picture.
There shouldn't be any team in MLB with a payroll that low. The notion of 'drafting and developing' or 'rebuilding' is disingenuous.
Ownership like this worsens the sport exponentially.
The Pirates were last sold for roughly $90M in 1996. Forbes valued them at $1.32B in March.
Don't ever allow ownership to control this narrative. They're not losing money. They just want to protect/continually grow profit margins.
Bob Nutting is defrauding his fans.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:34:41 GMT -5
The Red Sox’ Rich Hill has made a career out of overcoming adversity, and did so again against the Pirates By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated August 17, 2022, 11:34 p.m.
PITTSBURGH — A truckload of dirt was ready to be dumped on Rich Hill after the Pittsburgh Pirates needed only four pitches to score two runs off him Wednesday night.
Kevin Newman singled on his first pitch. Then Bryan Reynolds drove a high fastball 416 feet into the visitors’ bullpen in left-center.
To that point Hill had allowed 10 runs on 15 hits over seven innings since coming off the injured list earlier this month. That’s a few more bad pitches away from being on the wrong side of a roster move.
“There were a few things going through my head. It would have made an interesting mic’d up session for NESN,” Hill said.
But the 42-year-old Hill has made a career of overcoming adversity and did so again. He reset mentally, slowed his tempo, and retired the next 12 Pirates in order.
Hill ultimately pitched five strong innings as the Red Sox beat the Pirates, 8-3.
The Sox initially planned to get four innings out of Hill with rookie righthander Josh Winckowski following him to the mound.
That changed when the decision was made to scratch Nate Eovaldi from his start Thursday because of a sore trapezius muscle. Now Winckowski will start the series finale instead.
Hill going five innings and turning the Pittsburgh lineup over twice made it easier for Alex Cora to manage the bullpen.
“He takes pride in going five or six because he knows what it means,” Cora said. “We expect him to pitch well … it was what we needed.”
After the home run, Hill set down 15 of the remaining 16 batters he faced. The exception was a single by Rodolfo Castro leading off the fifth inning. Hill needed only six pitches from there to end the inning.
Greg Allen grounded into a force at second. Bligh Madris struck out swinging at a slider 6 inches off the plate and Jason Delay grounded to third base.
Hill was only at 57 pitches but that was enough. He struck out four without a walk and got seven outs on the ground. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts had a hand in five of those.
“Guys played great defense,” Hill said. “Bogey was excellent out there with his Gold Glove defense. It was good.”
Once he allowed two runs, the goal became not to give up a third and trust in the idea of getting some run support. The Sox scored three runs in the second inning and Hill didn’t let that lead go.
“That’s the experience that comes into play,” Hill said. “Buckle down and keep the team in the game. That’s really the mark of a pro, I think. Not to point the fingers at myself. I’m just saying we played excellent defense and we played obviously on the offensive side incredibly well [with] great at-bats.
“It was a big win for us. Every win from here on out is going to be huge because we’re fighting for that wild-card spot.”
Hill (5-5) has given the Sox 18 starts, 82⅔ innings, and a 4.68 earned run average this season, about what you’d expect from a No. 5 starter on a $5 million deal. The Sox have won half his starts.
The real reward for him would be getting another chance at the postseason.
Hill has appeared in 13 postseason games going back to 2007 with the Cubs. He had a 2.43 ERA in nine playoff games, eight of them starts, with the Dodgers from 2017-19.
Hill and the Dodgers lost Game 7 to the now-nefarious Houston Astros in 2017. The Red Sox knocked them out in 2018. When the Dodgers finally won in 2020, Hill was with the Twins.
This Red Sox team certainly doesn’t seem likely to come away with any rings this season. But Hill will take any chance he can get.
“That’s why I’m pitching. That’s why I’m doing it,” he said. “You hear a guy like Derek Jeter say it’s a failed season if you don’t win the World Series. You don’t understand that until you get there.
“When you’re a Game 7 away from winning that ring and it doesn’t happen it’s like ripping your heart out and throwing it on the ground. That’s the reason that I’m playing.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:38:04 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Rafael Devers has long been criticized for his defense, but the numbers — and those around him — are seeing progress By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated August 17, 2022, 6:49 p.m.
PITTSBURGH – New Red Sox first baseman Eric Hosmer was aware of new teammate Rafael Devers’s reputation as a below-average defensive third baseman before joining the Sox. His view after two weeks?
“Very underrated defensively. Extremely solid,” said Hosmer. “He’s made some great plays already. His hitting speaks for itself. He’s an all-around great player.”
Such suggestions have been a long time in the making. Devers got rushed to the big leagues in 2017 because of his difference-making offensive potential, with the understanding that his defense was not as advanced as his bat.
“He always wanted to be the best. It was just a matter of time, maturity, and getting more experience than when he first came in,” said Sox third base and infield coach Carlos Febles. “He was not ready defensively to play baseball in the big leagues. We knew that. There were a lot of things he was doing in the big leagues that he was supposed to be doing in the minor leagues.
One key play in Sunday’s win against the Yankees stood out as a sign of Devers’s defensive growth. In the fifth inning, Devers made a two-on, two-out diving grab of a hard grounder down the third-base line, jumped to his feet, and made a perfect throw to Hosmer that turned a potential two-run double into a third out.
It was notable for a player who’d struggled on balls to his right in his early career. Devers’s strength had always been his range to his glove-side, while plays to his backhand and misfired throws accounted for most of his errors.
Statcast pegged Devers as eight outs below average on plays to his backhand side in 2021, and 13 outs below average overall last year. This year, he grades as three outs above-average to his right side, and one out above-average overall at third.
“He put in a lot of work in the offseason,” said manager Alex Cora, who credited an improved first step for Devers’s step forward. “He’s getting to [balls to his right] and then after that, he can take his time because his arm is probably playing better than ever.”
For Devers, recognition as a multi-dimensional player has been gratifying.
“It feels really good to contribute on all sides of the ball. That’s some of the things that I really worked hard on in the offseason, to be able to help the team [in all aspects],” Devers said through translator Carlos Villoria Benítez. “That’s why we keep working every day, every day, day-in and day-out, so you can improve and be better at your position. That’s what I’m trying to do every day.” Pirates irked by Eck
NESN analyst Dennis Eckersley spoke harshly about the Pirates during the broadcast on Tuesday.
“This is a hodgepodge of nothingness,” he said of their lineup. “It’s ridiculous, it really is. Pathetic.”
That didn’t go over well with the Pirates, who were 45-71 through Tuesday.
“I think it was kind of crappy and bush league,” reliever Wil Crowe told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I think a lot of guys are gonna take it and let it fuel us and see what happens.”
Manager Derek Shelton was more measured.
“He’s a broadcaster who works for another network,” he said. “My concern is in our clubhouse and what our process is, and we’ll continue to concern ourselves with our group.” Milestone for Paxton; Strahm on the mend, too
On Thursday, James Paxton will pitch in an official game for the first time in 499 days. The lefthander is slated to start a rehab assignment with a start for the rookie-level Florida Complex League Red Sox, his first game since he tore his ulnar collateral ligament on April 6, 2021, an injury that required Tommy John surgery.
Paxton, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal that includes a two-year, $26 million team option in the offseason, is slated to go three innings.
Cora said there’s “a good chance” lefthander Matt Strahm – who topped out at 95 miles per hour in his rehab outing with Triple-A Worcester on Tuesday – will join the Sox in Pittsburgh on Thursday. The team is still deciding whether to activate him for the series finale against the Pirates or if it will wait until the Orioles series this weekend to bring him back.
Either way, after missing five weeks with a left wrist contusion, Strahm’s return is significant. He was at times dominant early this year, and despite some struggles in July, he has a 3.58 ERA and 27.1 percent strikeout rate in 27 ⅔ innings.
“He’s very important for us,” said Cora. Hernández back in center
Kiké Hernández – who returned from a two-month injured list stint on Tuesday – was in the lineup for a second straight day, this time back in centerfield after spelling Xander Bogaerts for a day at shortstop on Tuesday. “I was hoping I’d be put back at shortstop [Wednesday] and Bogey would be in center, but that’s not how it worked out,” said Hernández. … Hernández is expected to get a day off on Thursday as the Sox try to control his workload. The team may also give Devers a day at DH and sit J.D. Martinez. In an ideal scenario, the Sox could use the DH spot to keep regulars such as Bogaerts and Devers an element of rest, but with Martinez having yet to play in the field this year, that’s not an option. “It’s something that has been a challenge in a sense, but we need the big guy in the lineup,” said Cora. “I know he’s not swinging the bat the way he’s capable of, but still, like Mike Lowell used to say, you’re one swing away from finding it.” … Trevor Story hit in the batting cage and is getting closer to both hitting on the field and taking swings against a high-velocity pitching machine.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:39:23 GMT -5
Gabrielle @gfstarr1 · 9h The Red Sox broadcast just caught someone in the stands screaming "SELL THE TEAM! NUTTING, SELL THE TEAM!
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:43:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8h Last night the Red Sox had one hit after the first inning.
Tonight the Pirates have one hit after the first inning.
As a wise man once said, you can't predict baseball.
Sox have won five of six and are 59-59. They have won two actual series in a row.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:46:28 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 8h For the first time in 32 games, the Red Sox have scored 8+ runs - ending their longest drought along those lines since 1993.
7 walks tonight for the Red Sox: Their most since June 26.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:50:21 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 10h What is going on?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:53:02 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 10h Hosmer is now 6 for 31 (.194) since the trade
Chavis started the season 11 for 22 with a .733 SLG. He's hit .222/.254/.385 since.
Verdugo has worked his average back to .280 for the first time since April 24. It bottomed out at .205 in May.
.310 BA, .360 OBP since.
Sawamura has now pitched 100 innings for the Red Sox, 100 K, 3.06 ERA, $2.4M
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 18, 2022 4:57:29 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Pirates Thursday, 18th August 2022 7pm @ PNC Park
Winckowski 5-5/4.69
Brubaker 2-10/4.45
Resurgent Red Sox pursue sweep of Pirates FLM
It's all coming together for the Boston Red Sox.
After scoring at least eight runs for the first time in 32 games in an 8-3 win at Pittsburgh on Wednesday, the Red Sox will aim for a three-game sweep of the Pirates on Thursday night.
An all-around effort on both sides of the ball has helped Boston win three straight and five of six.
"I'm locked in, I'm staying within myself and not trying to do too much," said Red Sox right fielder Alex Verdugo, who is hitting .447 (17-for-38) with 11 runs in his past 11 games after going 3-for-3 on Wednesday. "I'm just trying to be on time with the pitcher and use the big part of the field."
Verdugo has also logged nine extra-base hits and seven walks during his hot streak. On Wednesday, teammate Christian Arroyo had three RBIs and matched Verdugo's three hits.
Boston's starting pitching has been solid, too.
Including five innings of two-run ball from Rich Hill on Wednesday, the Red Sox have a six-game streak in which their starters lasted at least five innings and gave up three run or fewer.
For Thursday, the Red Sox will have to shake things up as scheduled starter Nathan Eovaldi is dealing with a sore trapezius muscle.
Josh Winckowski (5-5, 4.69 ERA) will start instead. The rookie right-hander began with five scoreless innings on Aug. 11 against the Baltimore Orioles but wound up yielding three runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Boston manager Alex Cora said Hill's five-inning outing was sufficient to set up the staff for Thursday. Winckowski will be opposing the Pirates for the first time.
"We're in full force with (Winckowski), it's a regular start for him," Cora said. "(John) Schreiber got a day, (Matt) Barnes is available. ... We feel good."
Winckowski had been slated to piggyback Hill on Wednesday before Eovaldi was scratched.
"I feel like I could pitch (on Thursday), but we're playing it safe," said Eovaldi, whose next start is now slated for Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. "I felt it coming out of the last start. I can't tell you exactly when -- day two, three."
The Red Sox enter play Thursday four games behind the final American League wild-card position.
"We know we're a little way's back, but we're within striking distance," Verdugo said. "We're just looking for one open spot."
Pittsburgh's JT Brubaker (2-10, 4.45 ERA) will start the series finale. The right-hander has allowed three or fewer earned runs in five of six starts since his last win on June 30. His 117 strikeouts in 113 1/3 innings lead the Pirates.
Brubaker's trend of solid starts continued last week as he held the Arizona Diamondbacks to two runs on three hits and struck out six in five innings. Both runs scored in the fourth.
"I think for the first three innings, he had a really good tempo and went after guys," manager Derek Shelton said. "He gave up the solo homer (to Emmanuel Rivera) to start the fourth and it looked like he got out of his rhythm a little bit."
Thursday will mark Brubaker's first career outing against the Red Sox.
On the whole, Brubaker has been a bright spot for a team that sits at the bottom of the National League Central.
The Pirates will look to finish the series with a more consistent offensive effort and avoid what would be their second seven-game losing streak in less than a month.
After Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run homer two batters into the Wednesday game, the Pirates were held to just one hit until the ninth inning.
"We kind of got out of our zone throughout the game, and we let the Boston pitchers dictate what we were going to swing at instead of staying in our hitting zones," Shelton said.
--Field Level Media
Red Sox at Pirates Thursday, at 7:05 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 79° F with a 2% chance of rain and 3 MPH wind blowing out in Pittsburgh at 7:05 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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