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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 10, 2023 21:00:34 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
1h
For now, #RedSox have a six-man rotation lined up through the SD series. That would have Paxton, Sale and Kluber pitching on 6 days rest vs. the Padres.
Once Whitlock factors in, something has to give. Presumably at least. That means Brasier & Bernardino have to go. We don't really have that 'ugh' type of guy anymore. |
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 10, 2023 21:37:54 GMT -5
3 out of 5, on the road, against Philly & Atl. Well done. Nice job again by the BP. 3 shutout innings with a 5/0 K/W, with a good start by Bello.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 4:53:07 GMT -5
'It's just surreal': Jansen 7th pitcher in 400-saves club
Sox closer celebrated by current, former teammates in clubhouse after milestone moment
1:37 AM ADT
Ian Browne
Ian Browne
@ianmbrowne
ATLANTA -- Kenley Jansen, originally a catcher from Curaçao, is now in a select club occupied by some of the best closers to ever play the game.
The veteran righty became the seventh pitcher in history to reach 400 saves in his career on Wednesday, closing out a 5-2 victory for the Red Sox over the Braves, the team Jansen pitched for last season and grew up rooting for during his youth.
Jansen joins Mariano Rivera (652 saves), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodríguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422) in the 400-save club.
This moment was one Jansen wasn’t about to downplay.
“It's just surreal,” said Jansen. “It’s just crazy. I can say today I'm the seventh guy who did that. With baseball being around for so long, it’s unbelievable. I’m just going to continue to let this keep motivating me and keep striving for more.”
How pumped up was Jansen as he closed in on the magic number? His third-to-last pitch of the milestone outing seared in at 98.7 mph. According to Statcast, that was Jansen’s hardest pitch since Aug. 27, 2016.
“It flashed again,” said Jansen. “My first [career] save, I was throwing 99. And then my 400th save, it flashed today. It’s great, man. I’m just going to continue to keep working hard every day.”
In an on-field interview just minutes after he struck out Travis d’Arnaud for the final out, Jansen admitted he was shaking.
Once the Red Sox got back to the clubhouse, Jansen’s teammates orchestrated a celebration of surprises, including a bass guitar that had "400" engraved on it. Jansen is an avid bass player.
“It can't be better than that,” Jansen said. “I probably won't play that one. I might play it one time, but that’s definitely going to go onto the wall as a souvenir.”
There was also a video tribute with messages from several people who have influenced Jansen’s career, including his wife, his four children, and the player he idolized most as a kid: Curaçao’s Andruw Jones. Several other former teammates, coaches and friends weighed in, among them Joe Torre, A.J. Ellis, Clayton Kershaw, Ozzie Albies, Russell Martin, Austin Barnes, Eric Gagne, Jurickson Profar, Jonathan Schoop and Rick Honeycutt.
“It can’t be better than seeing all the old faces,” said Jansen. “[Former] coaches and teammates. It's awesome, and it's a moment that I will never forget.”
The 35-year-old Jansen secured his first 350 saves for the Dodgers, the team that converted him from catcher to closer in 2009, when he was still in the Minors. He racked up another 41 last year in his lone season with the Braves.
Fittingly, the double-play combination for the Red Sox in the bottom of the ninth was Kiké Hernández at short and Justin Turner at second base. The three of them played for years together with the Dodgers, playing in the World Series three times together and winning it all in 2020.
“Those are the guys that I had with me for so many years. We went through it all, the good times, the bad times, we did it all,” said Jansen. “We won a championship together. It can’t be better than to have those guys behind me. They know what I've been [through] in this game.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora called Jansen’s velocity on Wednesday eye-opening. Turner had seen it many times before.
“Seeing him hit 99 a couple of times tonight, me and Kiké kind of looked at each other and said, ‘We haven’t seen that in a while,’” Turner said. “I think it’s a testament to the work he has put in and how much he cares and how much he desires to be great. It takes a special human to excel in his role for as long as he has done it. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”
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Following his long association with the Dodgers, Jansen racked up another 41 saves last year in his lone season with the Braves.
After signing a two-year, $32 million contract to come to the Red Sox in December, Jansen has anchored a solid bullpen that struggled mightily in 2022.
Jansen has converted nine of his first 10 save opportunities for Boston.
“This is a testament to who he is. He was a catcher. And he's the seventh reliever to get 400 saves. Shoot, he was throwing 99 today,” said Cora. “I know it's special for him. He grew up as a Braves fan. And for how bad he wanted to do it at Fenway, this was a perfect scenario. We’re very proud of him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 4:54:08 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Whitlock set for sim game; Paxton activated
May 10th, 2023
LATEST NEWS
May 10: RHP Garrett Whitlock to throw sim game at Fenway
Though the Red Sox are off on Thursday, Whitlock will ramp up toward a return to the active roster when he throws a three-inning simulated game at Fenway Park. Manager Alex Cora said that Whitlock will probably make a Minor League rehab start early next week and the club will determine that that point if he is ready to be activated or will need a second rehab outing. Whitlock, who was placed on the 15-day injured list on April 28 with right elbow neuritis, has made three starts this season, going 1-2 with a 6.19 ERA.
May 10: LHP James Paxton activated for Friday start; RHP Zack Littell DFA'd
Paxton, who signed with the Red Sox on Dec. 1, 2021, was activated on Wednesday in advance of his long-awaited debut for the club on Friday night when he starts the opener of a three-game series against the Cardinals at Fenway Park. The lefty stretched out to five innings and 96 pitches in his most recent Minor League rehab start for Triple-A Worcester on May 5. This will be Paxton's first appearance in the Major Leagues since April 6, 2021, with Seattle. Paxton was aiming to start this season in Boston's rotation, but he suffered a right hamstring strain in the second inning of his first start of Spring Training.
To make room for Paxton on the roster, the Red Sox designated Zack Littell for assignment less than a week after acquiring the righty in a trade with the Rangers. Littell pitched in two games for the Red Sox, giving up three runs in three innings.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 4:58:20 GMT -5
Brayan Bello gets 18 whiffs, Kenley Jansen makes history as Red Sox win
Updated: May. 10, 2023, 11:08 p.m.|Published: May. 10, 2023, 10:07 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ATLANTA — On Wednesday night at Truist Park, a young Red Sox pitcher made one of the best starts of his career, an old one recorded a significant milestone and Boston scratched out a win in a dogfight against one of the best teams in baseball.
Brayan Bello dominated for six innings and Kenley Jansen recorded his 400th career save as the Red Sox beat the Braves, 5-2, to split a two-game set. Raimel Tapia’s pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh inning put the Sox ahead and a late Triston Casas homer sealed it as Boston improved to 22-16 and finished its road trip at 3-2.
For much of the night, Bello was the story. One night after the Braves feasted on righty Nick Pivetta, the 23-year-old Bello held their lineup at bay for most of the night, inducing 18 swings-and-misses. He picked up his second win of the season, allowing two late runs on six hits while recording five strikeouts.
Boston’s offense sputtered early against Atlanta, which went with a bullpen game in the series finale. But the bats came alive in the fourth against Collin McHugh, as Alex Verdugo walked and Justin Turner singled to lead off the inning before Kiké Hernández and Jarren Duran had back-to-back RBI singles to make it 2-0.
Bello escaped a jam (two on, no outs) in the third and didn’t face trouble again until the sixth, when Ronald Acuña Jr. cut the deficit in half with a monstrous, 470-ft. blast to left field. Austin Riley then singled and came around to score on Eddie Rosario’s game-tying single; Rosario was thrown out trying to advance to second on the play.
Boston benefited from A.J. Minter’s control issues in the seventh. Minter walked both Duran and Triston Casas to start the inning, then after a chess match between managers Alex Cora and Brian Snitker, Tapia pinch hit and laced a two-out double off righty Nick Anderson to put the Sox ahead. It was just Tapia’s fourth extra-base hit and sixth RBI of the season.
With the bullpen well-rested after Cora used low-leverage options in Tuesday’s loss, the Sox were able to set things up to their liking after Bello departed. Josh Winckowski pitched a 1-2-3 seventh and Chris Martin worked around a single to toss a scoreless eighth, setting the table for Jansen against the team he spent last season with.
Casas gave Jansen some breathing room, launching a 442-ft., two-run blast off Raisel Iglesias in the top of the ninth. The homer, which was Casas’ fifth of the season, broke Iglesias’ 42⅔-inning homerless streak.
Pitching with a three-run cushion, Jansen got Sean Murphy to fly out to center, then allowed a double to Rosario before getting Ozzie Albies to fly out to center and striking out Travis d’Arnaud to end the game.
Jansen joins exclusive club
Jansen became just the seventh pitcher ever to record 400 career saves. He joins Mariano Rivera (652), Trevor Hoffman (601), Lee Smith (478), Francisco Rodriguez (437), John Franco (424) and Billy Wagner (422) as members of the exclusive club. Ex-Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is next in line with 397.
Jansen has been lights-out for the Red Sox since signing a two-year, $32 million contract over the winter. In 12 games, he owns a 0.77 ERA (1 earned run in 11⅓ innings) while striking out 17 batters. The right-hander is 9-for-10 in save opportunities.
Cardinals await after off day
The Red Sox will have Thursday off before beginning a homestand with a visit from the Cardinals on Friday afternoon. St. Louis will be in town for three games over the weekend. Here’s the schedule (plus pitching probables):
Friday, 7:10 p.m. ET — RHP Adam Wainwright (0-0, 7.20 ERA) vs. LHP James Paxton (2023 debut)
Saturday, 4:10 p.m. ET — LHP Steven Matz (0-4, 5.70 ERA) vs. LHP Chris Sale (3-2, 6.37 ERA)
Sunday, 7:10 p.m. ET — RHP Miles Mikolas (1-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Corey Kluber (2-4, 6.29 ERA)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 4:59:58 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats
@redsoxstats
·
7h
Bello, Winc, Martin, and Jansen combined to throw 61 pitches 96+ mph.
The team has only topped that number 15 times since 2008.
Once in 2019, four times in 2018, twice in 2015, eight times between 2008 and 2009.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 5:02:33 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
8h
First time Bello has worked into the 6th inning this season, most pitches, too (100). Great start for him.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 5:05:10 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Red Sox pitching prospect Bryan Mata has to leave game with shoulder problem
By Alex Speier and Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 10, 2023, 2:39 p.m.
Righthander Bryan Mata, one of the top Red Sox pitching prospects and a big league depth option, has landed on the sidelines again.
Mata left his start for Worcester Tuesday after throwing a 98 m.p.h four-seam fastball in the third inning. Red Sox farm director Brian Abraham said the problem was tightness in the right shoulder, something that is likely to lead to an injured list stint.
Mata, 24, had allowed six runs (four earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out five in 2⅓ innings. Despite the rough line, his sinker had been impressive, both in terms of its power (he touched 99 a handful of times) and his work with the pitch in the strike zone.
Mata has had difficulty staying on the mound throughout his professional career. He was limited by back issues early in his minor league career,
Though his numbers with Worcester this season are unimpressive — 0-3, 5.61, with more walks (27) than strikeouts (26) in 25⅔ innings over seven starts — Mata is a factor in the Red Sox’ big league pitching depth.
His power stuff suggests at least the ability to contribute out of the bullpen — perhaps as a multi-innings reliever — if his control will not permit him to stick in the rotation. That view, however, is contingent on health.
Whitlock getting closer
Garrett Whitlock (right ulnar neuritis) will throw a three-inning simulated game at Fenway Park Thursday. From there, Whitlock will get a rehab start that will likely take place next Tuesday. Manager Alex Cora is uncertain if Whitlock will need one or two rehab starts before joining the big league club.
Additionally, the Red Sox reinstated James Paxton from the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Righthander Zack Littell was designated for assignment as a result. Paxton will make his Sox debut in Friday’s series opener against the Cardinals after spending the start of the season on the IL with a hamstring strain. It will be the first time Paxton will pitch in a big league contest since April 6, 2021 while still with the Mariners.
Whitlock could be back in the rotation sooner rather than later.
Whitlock will return as a starter, putting some current jobs in jeopardy. Nick Pivetta seems as if he’s a prime candidate to exit the rotation. But even after Pivetta surrendered seven runs in just four innings against the Braves on Tuesday, ballooning his ERA to 6.23, the righthander didn’t seem keen on a potential shift to a bullpen role.
“I started for this team my whole entire career,” Pivetta said. “I’m going to continue to do that. And by the end of the year, I’m going to continue to do that into next year.”
Other notes
Joely Rodriguez (oblique) threw a scoreless inning in back-to-back appearances for Portland on Tuesday and Wednesday. Sitting 90-92 miles per hour with good movement on his fastball, changeup, and slider, Rodriguez should join the team some time during their series against the Cardinals this weekend. … Wednesday was a scheduled off day for Rafael Devers, who has played in 36 of the Sox’ 38 games this season, but Devers pinch hit for Bobby Dalbec in the seventh inning of a 5-2 win. The team has an off day Thursday in addition to next Thursday before their West Coast trip, which will begin next Friday at Petco Park against the Padres.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 11, 2023 13:18:52 GMT -5
Red Sox starter says being sent down ‘lit a spark,’ now he’s dominating
Published: May. 11, 2023, 10:51 a.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
ATLANTA — On April 24, the Red Sox made the somewhat surprising decision to option talented starter Brayan Bello to Triple-A Worcester. Two-and-a-half weeks later, Bello is showing how he took that demotion as motivation.
Bello’s stint with the WooSox was short-lived, as he was called back up just four days later when Garrett Whitlock was placed on the injured list with elbow neuritis. Bello didn’t even make a start during his time in Worcester, but it’s clear that being sent down had an impact.
In three starts since returning to the major league rotation, Bello is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA, having allowed just five earned runs in 16 innings while striking out 16 batters. For much of his start Wednesday night at Truist Park, the 23-year-old dominated an excellent Braves lineup that tortured Nick Pivetta one night earlier. Bello allowed two earned runs in six strong innings while inducing 18 swings-and-misses. He’s making the case never to be sent down again.
“I think (being sent down) definitely lit a spark under me...,” Bello said through translator Daveson Perez. “Now, facing a team like that, that is so good, if they’re good, I consider myself to be pretty good myself. I showed it tonight.”
Bello was strong from the jump in Atlanta, retiring the first six batters he faced before escaping a jam (two on, no outs) with three straight outs in the fifth. His only struggles came in the sixth inning, when Ronald Acuña crushed a 470-ft. homer and the Braves strung together a couple more hits to tie the game, 2-2. But Bello finished at 100 pitches with impressive under-the-hood numbers across the board.
Bello’s velocity was up a tick from his previous starts, as he averaged 96.2 mph with his sinker and 96.9 mph with his four-seam fastball. He pounded the zone with 67 strikes and got 18 swings-and-misses, which is indicative of how he kept batters off balance all evening. All four of his pitches (sinker, slider, four-seamer and changeup) induced at least four whiffs. The entire arsenal was working.
“The stuff was really good,” said manager Alex Cora. “It was really good. Velocity was up, the changeup was playing, the slider was good, against a great lineup. With all due respect to everyone in the National League, I think that’s the best team in the National League. From top to bottom, they’re relentless.”
Bello appreciated the 81-degree first pitch temperature at Truist Park.
“The velocity was definitely up,” Bello said. “I think that had a lot to do with pitching in warm weather. Everywhere we’ve gone to start the year has been a little cold.”
The Red Sox have tough decisions to make in the coming days regarding their rotation with James Paxton making his season debut Friday and Whitlock getting close to returning as well. Soon, they will have seven starters for five spots, meaning moves will have to be made. While Chris Sale, Corey Kluber, James Paxton and Whitlock seem to be locked into four spots, the club hasn’t decided yet what to do with Bello, Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta.
Performances like Wednesday’s will go a long way to help Bello’s case. If he continues to pitch that way, the tantalizing righty will give the Red Sox no choice but to keep him in the big league starting five for good.
“You’re building confidence as you go and as the season goes, you build more confidence and your body gets looser. So does your mind,” Bello said. “That helps, to see good results.”
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