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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 2:48:14 GMT -5
Orioles, Red Sox desperate for improved pitching FLM
Orioles, Red Sox desperate for improved pitching
Through two of the four games in the series between the Baltimore Orioles and the host Boston Red Sox, the scoring swings already have been off the charts.
It's difficult to know what might come Wednesday night when the teams meet again in Boston.
Baltimore won 14-8 on Monday. Boston led 13-8 through four innings on Tuesday on the way to a 13-9 victory.
The Orioles might be inclined to summon more pitching after miserable mound outings in three of the past four games.
"That's something we'll be talking about," Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. "We have some taxi squad guys here."
Given that the Orioles had a three-game stretch last week when they needed the bullpen to record just one out -- two complete games and another 8 2/3-inning stint from a starter -- it's a bit perplexing that pitching has fallen into such a bind in such fast fashion.
Boston has won just three of its past 10 games. In two of those victories, the Red Sox posted 13 runs.
Some of the power surge for the Red Sox has come from Triston Casas, a rookie first baseman who has five home runs through his first 20 games.
"He controls the strike zone," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "He's not letting the strike zone control him. The numbers will get there. We like the approach. We like the process."
The Orioles could say the same thing about outfielder Anthony Santander, who has homered six times across his past four games. He finished 3-for-5 with two homers, three runs and three RBIs on Tuesday.
Baltimore also received a boost from Ramon Urias, whose 3-for-3 effort included a home run. He missed the previous two games because of neck and shoulder spasms. Terrin Vavra might be available on Wednesday as he comes back from a hamstring ailment, Hyde said.
The Orioles will hope that right-hander Dean Kremer (8-5, 3.07 ERA) can restore some order. After all, he is coming off a four-hit shutout of the Houston Astros on Friday.
"This may not happen again in my career," Kremer said following his first career complete game and shutout. "For me, the most important thing is rhythm and tempo."
Since Kremer's gem, the Orioles have allowed 38 runs across four games.
Kremer has faced Boston four times in his career, all starts, going 0-3 with a 7.23 ERA. He has opposed the Red Sox twice this year, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.09 ERA.
Left-hander Rich Hill (7-7, 4.65 ERA) gets the nod for the Red Sox. He blanked the Orioles across five innings on Sept. 11 for his only victory across five starts this month.
He also was hammered for six runs in four innings in a May 30 home loss to the Orioles, though that came about a month after he threw four shutout innings at Baltimore.
Hill, 42, is 16 years older than Kremer. Hill, a member of the 2009 Orioles, is 4-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 18 all-time appearances, including eight starts, against Baltimore.
This will be the second-to-last meeting of the season between the teams. Baltimore leads the season series 9-8.
--Field Level Media
Orioles at Red Sox Wednesday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 64° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 5 MPH wind blowing left to right in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 11:45:34 GMT -5
Buster Olney @buster_ESPN · 2h What's at stake today: The Houston Astros can clinch the No. 1 seed in the American League tonight with a win vs. Arizona OR a loss by the Yankees at Toronto. The Toronto Blue Jays can clinch a Postseason berth tonight with a win vs. New York AND a loss by the Orioles at Boston.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 13:32:27 GMT -5
Game 155: Orioles at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated September 28, 2022, 2 hours ago After snapping their six-game losing streak with a 13-9 win Tuesday, the Red Sox will resume their four-game series with the Orioles on Wednesday. The 13 runs were tied for the most the Sox have scored at Fenway this season, having done so on Sept. 18 against the Royals. They have recorded at least 10 hits in 58 games in 2022, fourth best in the American League. With the Orioles leading the season series, 9-8, the Red Sox will go for the equalizer. Rich Hill will be on the mound. Lineups ORIOLES (80-74): Ryan McKenna CF Ryan Mountcastle 1B Anthony Santander LF Jesús Aguilar DH Austin Hays RF Tyler Nevin 3B Jorge Mateo SS Terrin Vavra 2B Robinson Chirinos C Pitching: RHP Dean Kremer (8-5, 3.07 ERA) RED SOX (73-81): 1. Tommy Pham (R) LF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Alex Verdugo (L) RF 5. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 6. Triston Casas (L) 1B 7. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B 8. Reese McGuire (L) C 9. Abraham Almonte (S) CF Pitching: LHP Rich Hill (7-7, 4.65 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Orioles vs. Hill: Jesús Aguilar 2-10, Robinson Chirinos 0-2, Austin Hays 2-10, Jorge Mateo 1-5, Ryan McKenna 1-6, Ryan Mountcastle 3-11, Cedric Mullins 2-7, Rougned Odor 0-5, Adley Rutschman 1-2, Anthony Santander 1-7, Ramón Urías 1-5 Red Sox vs. Kremer: Christian Arroyo 1-4, Xander Bogaerts 2-6, Bobby Dalbec 1-6, Rafael Devers 2-9, Kiké Hernández 1-2, J.D. Martinez 2-7, Reese McGuire 0-2, Tommy Pham 2-8, Rob Refsnyder 2-2, Alex Verdugo 3-11 Batting title chase: Aaron Judge (.314) still holds a slim lead over Minnesota’s Luis Arraez (.313). Bogaerts went hitless in four at-bats to dip to .310. The Yankees are in action at Toronto Wednesday, while the Twins are hosting the White Sox. Stat of the day: Rookie Triston Casas is one of four players to hit at least five home runs and draw at least 14 walks through their first 20 career games, joining Cavan Biggio in 2019 (five home runs, 14 walks), Michael Chavis in 2019 (six home runs, 14 walks, and Alvin Davis in 1984 (nine home runs, 14 walks). Notes: Hill tossed five innings shutout innings against the Orioles on Sept. 11 for his only victory in five starts this month. He is 4-1 with a 2.80 ERA in 18 career appearances, including eight starts, against Baltimore. … Kremer is 0-3 with a 7.23 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox. In two starts this year, he is 0-1 record with a 4.09 ERA. … Anthony Santander has hit home runs from both sides of the plate in a game four times this season, tying the Major League record set by Ken Caminiti in 1996 with San Diego. Song of the Day: Aerosmith - Sweet Emotionwww.youtube.com/watch?v=82cJgPXU-ik
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 14:49:24 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6m (1/4) #RedSox will collect donations and supplies at all Fenway gates beginning today through the final game of the regular season to aid Hurricane Fiona relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
2/4) Items will be collected on game days through the 2nd inning. Supplies will also be accepted during non-game hours at Gate D.
(3/4) Supplies most needed include the following: battery powered fans, first aid kits, diapers, soap, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, etc., lanterns (solar powered preferred), over-the-counter medications, personal portable water filters.
(4/4): Fans not attending the final five games of the regular season can make donations to the Red Sox Foundation online by visiting:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 16:34:33 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 1h Red Sox will be missing 1-2 players Friday for their series opener in Toronto before vaccination rules change Saturday. Bringing a taxi squad that includes Winckowski, Ronaldo Hernández and others.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 28, 2022 18:39:22 GMT -5
Red Sox front office milking Big Papi one more night 3/4 filled Fenway claps for the local 9 as he is on hand to throw out the first pitch and wearing the damn yellow jerseys
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 2:37:33 GMT -5
Orioles shut down by Rich Hill in 3-1 loss to Red Sox AP
BOSTON (AP) Anthony Santander and the Baltimore Orioles were shut down by Rich Hill and three relievers in a 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night, hurting their chances of rallying in the AL wild-card race.
Robinson Chirinos accounted for Baltimore's only run with his fourth homer in the eighth inning. The Orioles (80-75) lost for the fourth time in five games. They fell 4 1/2 games back of Seattle for the third AL wild card.
Santander went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts one night after he homered from both sides of the plate in Baltimore's 13-9 loss at Fenway Park. The slugger went 8 for 20 with six homers and nine RBIs in his previous four games.
Hill (8-7) struck out nine while pitching six innings of five-hit ball. The 42-year-old left-hander also tossed five scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory at Baltimore on Sept. 11.
''I felt good,'' Hill said. ''The ball came out good. We were really angling the fastball down. One of the keys to success was just being able to drive the baseball downhill today.''
Hill became the 21st pitcher in major league history to make at least 25 starts in a season at the age of 42 or older. Bartolo Colon and R.A. Dickey in 2017 were the last players to accomplish the feat, and Jamie Moyer in 2009 was the last lefty to do it.
''We have a finite amount of time to play this game,'' Hill said. ''A lot of the game is making adjustments. ... I think that's one thing that I've always done is continue to evolve and make adjustments with the game.''
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Hill was outstanding.
''Tonight was one of those good ones,'' Cora said. ''We needed that.''
Ryan Brasier and Kaleb Ort each got three outs before Matt Barnes handled the ninth for his sixth save. Gunnar Henderson walked with two out, but Barnes fanned pinch-hitter Adley Rutschman to finish the game.
Alex Verdugo homered and drove in two runs in Boston's second straight win. Abraham Almonte also went deep for his first homer of the season.
Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts went 0 for 3 with a walk. He ranks third in the American League with a .309 batting average.
Baltimore right-hander Dean Kremer (8-6) allowed three runs and six hits in five-plus innings. Kremer pitched a four-hitter in a 6-0 victory over Houston last week for his first career complete game.
''Dean early didn't have his best command,'' Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said. ''I thought he got better as the game went on. He kept us in the game.''
Verdugo singled in Rafael Devers in the first, and Almonte led off the third with a drive to right for his 24th career homer. Almonte was promoted from the minors on Sept. 7.
Verdugo led off the sixth with his 11th homer of the season.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Orioles: INF Ramon Urias was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right knee. INF Tyler Nevin was brought up from Triple-A Norfolk.
Red Sox: INF/OF Christian Arroyo, who had not played since Sept. 18 because of a non-COVID-19 illness, entered as a defensive replacement at second base in the eighth. Before the game, Cora said he expected Arroyo to play on Thursday. ... Cora said he believes 1B Eric Hosmer could be activated by Monday. Hosmer has been on the injured list since Aug. 21 with low back inflammation. ... RHP Kutter Crawford, on the IL since Sept. 1 with a right shoulder impingement, threw live batting practice. Crawford is not expected to return this season.
ON THE MOVE
Orioles: LHP Keegan Akin and RHP Beau Sulser were recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, and RHPs Joey Krehbiel and Jake Reed were sent down.
UP NEXT
The Orioles and Red Sox wrap up their season series on Thursday. Rookie RHP Mike Baumann (1-3, 4.32 ERA) is slated to pitch for Baltimore, and RHP Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) takes the mound for Boston.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:12:26 GMT -5
Red Sox beat Orioles, 3-1, behind Alex Verdugo homer, Rich Hill’s strong outing
Updated: Sep. 29, 2022, 2:20 a.m.|Published: Sep. 28, 2022, 9:50 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- Someday in the not-too-distant future, Rich Hill will decide he wants to live the retired life of every other 40-something former major leaguer. But as long as he’s able to pitch like he did Wednesday night, he may not hang up his spikes for a while.
Hill struck out nine batters in six scoreless innings as the Red Sox beat the Orioles, 3-1, behind home runs by Abraham Almonte and Alex Verdugo. In what’s likely the penultimate start of his season, the 42-year-old Hill held Baltimore to five hits and walked just one batter. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday.
It didn’t take long for the Red Sox to get on the board in the first. Facing righty Dean Kremer, Rafael Devers hit a one-out ground-rule double before Verdugo drove him in with a single up the middle. Two innings later, Almonte led off the third with his first Red Sox homer, a towering 110.7 mph, 421-foot shot into the right-field seats. Hill escaped trouble on multiple occasions and stranded runners on the corners by getting Jorge Mateo to fly out to end the fourth.
Leading off the sixth, Verdugo worked an eight-pitch at-bat before lining a Kremer cutter around Pesky’s Pole for his 11th homer, extending Boston’s lead to three runs. After Ryan Brasier worked a scoreless seventh, Orioles catcher Robinson Chirinos hit a solo shot -- Baltimore’s 10th homer in three games -- to center field off Kaleb Ort to lead off the eighth and plate Baltimore’s only run of the night.
Matt Barnes allowed two runners to reach in the ninth but got out of trouble and recorded his sixth save of 2022. He struck out Adley Rutschman, the would-be tying run, to end the game.
With the win, the Red Sox, once again, kept their hopes of finishing .500 alive. They are 74-81, so they’ll need to win their final seven games to finish 81-81. Boston is now 9-9 against the O’s this season.
Eovaldi to pitch finale
The Red Sox and Orioles will finish their four-game series Thursday with a matinee at 1:35 p.m. ET. Righty Mike Baumann (1-3, 4.32 ERA) will take the hill for Baltimore while righty Nathan Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) returns from the injured list to start for Boston. Eovaldi has been sidelined since Aug. 12 with a shoulder/trap muscle issue.
Boston will fly to Toronto after the game and begin its final road series of the season Friday night at Rogers Centre.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:19:04 GMT -5
Over the Hill? This 42-year-old pitcher isn't yet 1:26 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- The art of pitching was on full display on Wednesday night at Fenway Park by a 42-year-old lefty in Rich Hill who is leaving little doubt that he can pitch beyond this season.
From vastly different speeds (his fastest offering was 90.9 mph and his slowest was 65.9), a variety of arm angles and at a brisk pace between pitches, Hill stifled the Orioles over six scoreless innings while leading the Red Sox to a 3-1 win.
In this age in which velocity is king, Hill is living, breathing proof that it doesn’t have to be.
Making his 25th start of the season (second most on the Red Sox), Hill threw 43 fastballs, 23 curveballs, 18 cutters, 12 sliders and four changeups. While walking one and striking out nine, he induced 15 swings-and-misses.
Remember in Game 4 of the 2018 World Series when Chris Sale tried to fire up his Red Sox teammates by screaming in the dugout that Hill -- pitching masterfully for the Dodgers that night in Los Angeles -- only had two pitches?
Hill is no longer that fastball-curveball pitcher. Of late, he has added a cutter as a key piece.
“I think a lot of the game is making adjustments,” said Hill. “It’s not so much to stay relevant, but it’s a matter of, ‘How are you going to continue to keep getting hitters out and refining your craft?’ I think that’s one thing that I’ve always done, is continue to evolve and make adjustments with the game.”
Nobody can question Hill's competitiveness or work ethic. Otherwise, he would have retired or become ineffective by now.
Though Hill isn’t having his best season (8-7, 4.41 ERA), he has held his own in perhaps the best offensive division in MLB and has thoroughly enjoyed pitching for his hometown Red Sox again.
In fact, when asked how much that has meant to him after his start on Wednesday, Hill had to pause as the emotions built up within him. Then he teared up just a little. Not far beyond where Hill was speaking was his locker, which has two name plates. One that says Rich Hill and the other labeled Brice Hill.
Brice is Rich’s 10-year-old son. Pitching in Boston allowed Rich to attend some of Brice’s Little League games this season. Moments before speaking to the media, Rich had his arm around Brice and handed him a baseball -- presumably from Wednesday’s game. Clearly, pitching at home has meant everything to Hill.
“Yeah, it's been great,” said Hill. “Like I've told these guys before, we have a finite amount of time to play this game. So it's been great. It's been great. The organization here has been great to me. It's been great to my family. I love pitching here.”
Hill’s ultimate dream was to use this 2022 season back in Boston to win the World Series title that has eluded him so far in his career. That was not to be.
“Unfortunately, the season isn't going the way that we want it to. But hopefully brighter things are ahead,” said Hill.
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Hill will be a free agent this offseason. It remains to be seen if he fits into Boston’s plans for next year. But it is obvious Hill still has more in the tank.
“I’ve been saying all along, he can pitch as long as his family lets him pitch,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “The stuff -- it is what it is velocity-wise -- is what organizations are looking for, the fastball spin and the efficiency of his pitches. He still has stuff he can work on and get better at, and he loves to compete.”
In recent weeks, Hill hinted at perhaps pitching a partial season in 2023 to allow him more family time. But he made it clear Wednesday that all options are still on the table.
“I think that's something that I'm going to discuss with [wife] Caitlin and Brice, sit down and talk with them about what the plan is going to be and how we're going to go forward,” said Hill. “Obviously, I would love to come back here to Boston and play here. I think [chief baseball officer] Chaim [Bloom] and the front office are going to build a winner next year. It’s something that if it works out, it works out. Keep the options open as far as whether it's going to be for a full season or half-season.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:20:42 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Monday is target for Hosmer September 28th, 2022
LATEST NEWS
Sept. 28: 1B Eric Hosmer targeting a Monday return Hosmer, who because of lower back inflammation has played only 12 games for the Red Sox since being acquired in a trade on Aug. 2, is targeting the final series of the season against the Rays from Oct. 3-5 for a return to action. The left-handed hitter took live batting practice against Kutter Crawford on Wednesday at Fenway Park.
"He hit today. Let's see how he reacts to that and we'll go from there," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "There's no at-bats right now [in the Minors], but obviously, if somebody stays back [from the road trip], another live BP, and I do believe by Monday he'll be OK for the Rays series. Just the running part of it today. He hit, he ran. Let's see how reacts tomorrow and we'll see what we do."
Sept. 28: Christian Arroyo will return to lineup on Thursday The right-handed-hitting Arroyo was suffering from an illness that prevented him from playing for seven straight games, but he'll be back in the lineup for Thursday's finale against the Orioles, manager Alex Cora said. In fact, Arroyo came on as a sub in the top of the eighth inning on Wednesday, marking his first game action since Sept. 18. He caught fire after coming back from the injured list on July 30, hitting .329 with 10 doubles and two homers in 140 at-bats before sitting with the illness.
RHP Kutter Crawford (right shoulder impingement) Expected return: 2023 Crawford was placed on the injured list with a right shoulder impingement at the beginning of September and won't pitch again this season. However, he took an important step on Sept. 28 when he fired two innings of live batting practice, showing good velocity and movement on his pitches. The Red Sox are pleased with Crawford's development this season. He had a red-hot stretch in the rotation from July 4-Aug. 2, posting a 2.38 ERA over five starts.
"The plan is for him to have a full offseason, keep getting better and let’s see what happens next year but understanding that he is part of the future, he is important for us," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "And regardless of the last few outings [before the injury], we feel very comfortable about him.” (Last updated: Sept. 28)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:23:25 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 6h Behind another throwback performance by 42-year-old Rich Hill (6 shutout innings, 1 BB, 9 K's), The Red Sox down the Orioles, 3-1, on a pleasant autumn Wednesday at Fenway.
Rich Hill had to pause in his press conference when asked what it has meant for him to pitch back at home this year. Hill teared up a little. It has clearly meant everything to him. Hill keeping all options open for next season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:27:47 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK If the Red Sox let Xander Bogaerts walk, is Trevor Story still armed with the right stuff at shortstop? By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated September 28, 2022, 8:11 p.m.
Trevor Story emerged as a Gold Glove-caliber second baseman this year. But if Xander Bogaerts opts out of the remaining three years of his contract and leaves, would Story be an option for the Red Sox at shortstop?
Story, of course, had spent his entire big league career at short for the Rockies before moving to second base in 2022 after signing a six-year, $140 million deal with the Sox in March. He did so in deference to Bogaerts, though the move also made sense at another level.
Story dealt with elbow injuries in 2021 that took a toll. According to data that was publicly revealed by Statcast on Wednesday, he went from having roughly middle-of-the-pack arm strength in 2020 (his throws averaged 82.3 miles per hour) to well below-average in 2021 (79.1 m.p.h).
While Story has missed considerable time due to a broken bone near his wrist and more recently a left heel contusion, and it remains to be seen if he plays again before the end of the year, Story’s elbow has been healthy throughout 2022. But while a further drop in velocity would be expected at second base with the types of throws made from the position, Story’s 76.0-m.p.h average is among the lowest in baseball at second.
That said, Story’s arm has rarely been an issue on plays this year – whether on double plays or several strong plays he made on the left side of second base in shifts. Does he believe he could handle a return to short if asked?
“If that was the case, I feel like I’d be able to,” said Story. “Over the course of the year, I’ve stayed ready. I’ve prepared my arm to keep my arm strength in general.”
Third base and infield coach Carlos Febles agreed, noting that even if his arm strength doesn’t return to its peak, players such as David Eckstein have been championship shortstops with below-average arms.
“He could do it,” Febles said of Story playing short. “He’d have to play fast, like he did in Colorado when he threw on the run.”
That said, Febles noted that Story was “unbelievable” this year at second, and that his range at the position will only become more valuable in 2023 when MLB implements shift restrictions. For his part, Story expressed hope that he’ll remain at second base in 2023 so that Bogaerts can continue his run as the Red Sox shortstop.
“I don’t see how we get better if we’re losing him,” said Story. Crawford goes live
Righthander Kutter Crawford, who landed on the injured list on Sept. 4 with a right shoulder impingement, threw two innings of live batting practice to teammates Christian Arroyo, Eric Hosmer, and Story. He showed solid velocity and was able to throw his entire mix, a performance that should set the stage for the 26-year-old to have a full, healthy offseason.
Despite a 5.47 ERA, Crawford impressed the Sox with his ability to compete in the rotation as a rookie. Over an eight-outing, 43-inning stretch from June to August, he had a 2.72 ERA with 42 strikeouts and just eight walks. At the least, he could be a starting pitching depth option of first resort heading into 2023, with a chance to forge a spot either in the rotation or bullpen out of the gates.
“Let’s see what happens next year,” said Cora. “He is part of the future. He is important for us. And regardless of the last few outings, we feel very comfortable about him.”
Arroyo, sidelined by illness since Sept. 18, will return to the lineup on Thursday. Hosmer, on the injured list since Aug. 22 with lower back inflammation, appears on track for activation for the final series of the season against Tampa Bay next week. On Tuesday, Hosmer wore a Red Sox T-shirt honoring Anthony Varvaro, the reliever-turned-police officer who died in a car accident on the way to a 9/11 commemoration. Border stop
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that one or two players – whom he declined to identify – would have to wait until Saturday to join the team in Toronto. Canada announced earlier this week that it will lift its vaccination requirement for visitors to the country starting on Saturday; the Sox are slated to fly to Toronto on Thursday in advance of their weekend series in Rogers Centre. “[The unvaccinated players] have to stay here until Saturday morning and then go,” said Cora. On the prior two trips to Toronto, righthanders Crawford and Tanner Houck as well as outfielder Jarren Duran were unable to play the Blue Jays due to their unvaccinated status. … Triple A Worcester’s season came to a whispering end when banged on Wednesday by a rainout in Rochester. Cora said that the Red Sox would be joined by a taxi squad of WooSox players, with catcher Ronaldo Hernández joining the team on Thursday and three others – Duran and righthanders Bryan Mata and Josh Winckowski – joining the traveling party to Toronto after Thursday’s game. Duran’s inclusion in that list likely means that he’s now vaccinated. … Mata is unlikely to be added to the roster, but the Sox want to familiarize the righthander with the big league environment, including pregame pitchers’ meetings that take place in advance of series and games ... The Sox optioned righthander Connor Seabold to Triple A Worcester after Wednesday’s game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:47:19 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6h Last four games for Rich Hill:
20.2 IP 20 H 8 R 6 ER 6 BB 24 K
2-1, 2.61. He'll get one more start before the season ends.
One more on Rich Hill. He's third on the team in innings (118.1), second in starts, and the Sox are 13-12 in those starts. Fair to say he met expectations.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:48:44 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 6h Cora on Hill: “His willingness to compete and not take one pitch for granted is what makes him special.”
Rich Hill got choked up talking about what it meant to spend the year pitching at home and getting to be with his family. He said he’s definitely pitching next year, and would welcome returning to the Sox next year. He’s convinced the team will be in position to win in ‘23.
The Red Sox are optioning Connor Seabold to clear a roster spot for Eovaldi
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 29, 2022 3:59:34 GMT -5
1:30 start
Nathan Eovaldi returns for Red Sox-O's finale FLM
Nathan Eovaldi returns to the mound as the Boston Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles in the finale of a four-game series and their penultimate homestand of the season on Thursday afternoon.
Boston (74-81) has been without Eovaldi (5-3, 4.15 ERA) since Aug. 12 due to right shoulder inflammation. He pitched three innings in a rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on Friday.
"I haven't quite been myself out there (because of two different injuries this season)," Eovaldi said recently. "I'm starting to feel that way again and feel good. Unfortunately, the season's almost over, and we're not where we set out to be in spring training."
Eovaldi has missed at least 30 games during each of his injury stints this season. Low-back inflammation kept him out for 33 games in June and July.
An 11-game winner last year, Eovaldi is also expected to pitch during Boston's season-ending series against Tampa Bay next week.
"He's worked so hard to get to this point. Now, we're not going to stop it," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "People might think it's for other reasons or whatever, he's a free agent and he wants to show people that he's healthy, but at the same time, I think it's more about who he is as a professional and the value of 162 games."
Pitching keyed Boston's second straight win, as Rich Hill worked six shutout innings and recorded nine of Boston's 12 total strikeouts in a 3-1 decision on Wednesday.
There was just enough offense as Abraham Almonte and Alex Verdugo each homered, giving Boston back-to-back wins after a season-long six-game losing streak.
Verdugo has hits in eight straight games after going 2-for-4 with two RBIs on Wednesday.
Eovaldi pitched a complete game in his May 28 home start against Baltimore after pitching seven scoreless innings with three hits and eight strikeouts against the Orioles on April 30. He is 8-2 with a 3.29 ERA in 17 career starts vs. the Orioles.
The Orioles (80-75) scored 23 runs and hit nine home runs over the first two games of the series, but they managed just a solo shot by Robinson Chirinos on Wednesday.
Despite rising into the American League playoff picture, the Baltimore offense has been held to one run or less on 31 occasions.
"Last couple losses have been hard," Chirinos said. "If you're looking back to ... where we started the season, I think everybody should be proud of what we accomplished this year," Chirinos said. "We still have a chance and that's the only thing you can ask for."
Anthony Santander will look to bounce back as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts a game after homering from both sides of the plate for the fourth time this season.
"This is a game where you're going to fail a lot," Santander said. "So it's about continuing to work hard and come in every day and make the proper adjustments, stay mentally locked in."
After Tyler Wells was sidelined last Friday (right shoulder inflammation), Baltimore's Mike Baumann (1-3, 4.32) will pitch Thursday. He made just his second career start on Saturday, allowing two runs on three hits over four innings in a no-decision against Houston.
Baumann made just his third career MLB appearance at Fenway Park last season, taking his first loss on Sept. 18, 2021 after allowing five runs and six hits -- including a three-run home run by Xander Bogaerts -- in two relief innings.
Keegan Akin helped to save the O's bullpen Wednesday, working three shutout innings behind Dean Kremer (8-6).
"That was huge. With the way our bullpen is right now, for Akin to be able to do that, it was big for us for tomorrow," manager Brandon Hyde said.
--Field Level Media
Orioles at Red Sox Thursday, at 1:35 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 59° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 7 MPH wind blowing in in Boston at 1:35 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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