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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:24:42 GMT -5
Devers (2 HRs) hits hardest homer of career
By Ian Browne @ianmbrowne September 8, 2020
Rafael Devers is the master of the smash. He led the Major Leagues with 252 hard-hit balls (95-plus mph) last season.
In Game 1 of a seven-inning doubleheader on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park -- which the Red Sox lost, 6-5, on a walk-off two-run single by Alec Bohm -- Devers took it to a level that he hadn’t reached before.
• Box score
The slugger belted a laser beam of a home run off of a sign in right field that left his bat with an exit velocity of 116.5 mph, per Statcast. That blast took place in the top of the third and traveled a projected distance of 416 feet.
“I think he’s hot right now and he’s hitting the ball good," said Red Sox lefty Martín Pérez. "He’s got amazing power and he can hit, he just needs to trust and believe in himself. He’s been doing a lot of things over the years and he’s a great player. It’s fun when he goes to home plate and hits the ball 400 feet away. Happy for him.”
Perhaps inspired by the frozen rope from Devers, the Sox put on a power display in Game 1. Alex Verdugo (109.5 mph, 423 feet) hit a rocket in the fifth. Then, Devers followed his teammate by unloading for his second of the day -- this one leaving his bat at 108.8 mph and traveling 417 feet -- to get Boston within a run.
Bobby Dalbec, the club's No. 3 prospect, tied it up in the sixth with an impressive homer to left (105.9 mph, 425 feet). That was the fourth homer for Dalbec in the first eight games of his career.
“Yeah, I think he’s chasing less, seeing the ball better,” said Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke. “It was a breaking ball that he hit out. It’s good for him to see the ball that way, and like we said, if he just makes contact, he does a lot of damage.”
But Devers is the one who did the most damage.
For good measure, Devers put the Red Sox in the lead with an RBI double in the sixth that went off the wall in right field, escaping the reach of a leaping Bryce Harper.
There was a lot to choose from for Boston’s offensive highlight reel in this game, including a 4-for-4 performance by Christian Vázquez.
But the first homer by Devers stood out among the rest. It was the hardest Devers has put a ball in play in his career. It was the fifth-hardest-hit ball in MLB this season. It was the second-hardest-hit homer by a Red Sox player since Statcast started tracking in 2015. Hanley Ramirez belted the hardest at 117.5 mph on April 11, 2018.
“The high fastball on the first homer was something that he’s been chasing too much of,” said Roenicke. “But that thing was really hit. So we’re seeing really good things from him.”
The in-season rebound by Devers has been impressive.
On Aug. 13, Devers showed up at the ballpark with a .167 average, two homers and three RBIs in 60 at-bats.
In the ensuing 99 at-bats, Devers is slashing .323/.374/.626 with seven homers and 25 RBIs.
“Yes, and he’s still probably not as consistent as he was last year for a long period of time, but it’s really good to see,” Roenicke said.
Despite this rough season for Boston, the 23-year-old Devers is a reason the Red Sox should feel good about the future. Verdugo and Dalbec should accompany him in the lineup for years to come, not to mention star shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:34:48 GMT -5
Stats By STATS @statsbystats · 6h Bobby Dalbec of the @redsox is the third player in the modern era to have a 4-game homer streak within the first 9 games of his MLB career.
He joins Minnesota's Graig Nettles (1968) and Colorado's Trevor Story (2016).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:38:54 GMT -5
Bobby Dalbec ups homer streak to four, bullpen costs Red Sox doubleheader sweep of Phillies By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 8, 2020, 11:28 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA — Bobby Dalbec homered in his major league debut Aug. 30 then piled up strikeouts over the next four games. A meeting with the Red Sox hitting coaches followed to correct his swing.
The results are flying out of the park.
Dalbec homered in both games of Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Phillies and has now connected in four games in a row.
He drove in three runs in Game 2 to lift the Sox to a 5-2 victory and a split.
The Phillies scored twice off Matt Barnes in the seventh to win the first game, 6-5. The Red Sox, now 15-29, are off Wednesday before starting a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Thursday night.
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Dalbec has homered five times in his first nine games, joining Sam Horn as only first Red Sox players to do that. Only Trevor Story of the Rockies, with seven when he debuted in 2016, has had more.
Dalbec is the first Red Sox rookie to homer in four consecutive games.
“It feels amazing. It’s crazy,” Dalbec said. “I would never think that I would have some crazy stat like that. But I’m very fortunate to be in this position so it’s awesome.” Related: Red Sox rookie Bobby Dalbec went back to school to learn about his swing
After striking out 11 times in his first 18 at-bats, Dalbec worked on his leg kick and getting better balance with the lower half of his body.
“I was missing pitches that I shouldn’t miss,” Dalbec said. “I’m in a good routine now.”
Dalbec also has used one of Jackie Bradley Jr.'s bats the last four games. He is 6 of 14 with the four home runs, six RBIs, and five runs scored with it.
Bradley was 3 for 3 with a walk in the second game and has hit safely in 16 of his 17 games with 12 RBIs.
The Red Sox were one strike away from what would have been a satisfying comeback victory in Game 1.
In a game when their pitchers were erratic and the defense inept, the Sox took a one-run lead into the bottom of the seventh inning on the strength of four home runs, two by Rafael Devers.
But Barnes couldn’t finish it off. Alec Bohm’s single drove in two runs to give the Phillies a walk-off victory.
Barnes inherited a 5-4 lead and walked leadoff hitter J.T. Realmuto. A one-out single by Didi Gregorius sent Realmuto to third. Barnes struck out Adam Haseley for the second out as Gregorius stole second.
Bohm fell behind, 1 and 2, and tried a high fastball that Bohm didn’t chase. The next pitch was a curveball over the plate that Bohm grounded through the third base hole into left field to win the game.
Barnes became the closer after Brandon Workman was traded to Philadelphia Aug. 21. He is 3 for 5 in save chances since then.
Sox pitchers walked eight batters and four scored
“That hurts you, no question. Walks have hurt us all year,” manager Ron Roenicke said after Game 1.
Devers was 3 for 4 with three RBIs in the opener, helping the Sox rally from a 4-1 deficit to take the lead in the sixth inning. Dalbec and Alex Verdugo also homered.
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Devers had the first long ball for the Sox in the third inning, a line drive to right field off Zach Eflin that crashed into a sign hanging off the second deck. The exit velocity of 116.5 miles per hour was the best of his career.
Martin Perez allowed a home run by Gregorius in the second inning then walked Bryce Harper leading off the third. Realmuto followed with a grounder to second. Christian Arroyo, playing his first game for the Sox, scooped it up and tried to tag Harper. But Harper stopped in the base line.
Basic fundamentals are to tag Harper and eliminate the lead runner. Arroyo threw to first, allowing Harper to take second.
“You need to get [Harper] running back. You can’t let him stop,” Roenicke said. “When we make mistakes, it hurts us almost every time.”
Harper advanced to third on a ground out and scored when Christian Vazquez tried to pick him off third and threw the ball into left field.
Perez then walked Gregorius and Phil Gosselin to extend the inning. A wild pitch moved the runners up before Bohm singled to center to drive in two.
Perez, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his previous start, allowed four runs on five hits over five innings and a career-worst six walks.
With the Sox down 4-1, Verdugo and Devers went back-to-back in the fifth.
Dalbec’s homer came on the seventh pitch of the at-bat as he worked the count full before hammering a curveball 425 feet to left-center. The ball bounced onto the concourse behind the bleachers.
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“He’s chasing less, seeing the ball better,” Roenicke said between games. “If he just makes contact, he does a lot of damage.”
Verdugo walked and scored when Devers doubled off the wall in right field.
Devers pulled a two-strike curveball that was 8 inches off the dirt, according to Statcast. It was the lowest pitch turned into an extra-base hit this season.
Devers hit .167 with two home runs and three RBIs in his first 16 games of the season. He is 33 of 103 (.320) since with seven homers, six doubles, a triple, and 25 RBIs
“Really good things from him,” Roenicke said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:41:36 GMT -5
Red Sox notebook 2020 already over for Andrew Benintendi By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 8, 2020, 10:51 p.m.
PHILADELPHIA — This season, such as it was, is over for Andrew Benintendi.
The Red Sox placed their left fielder on the 45-day disabled list Tuesday because of what has been described as a strain on the right side of his rib cage suffered Aug. 11.
Chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom and manager Ron Roenicke talked to Benintendi on Monday and the decision was made to shut him down for the remainder of the season. There was only a slight chance Benintendi would be ready before the regular season ends Sept. 27 and the Sox are hopelessly out of playoff contention.
“Are we pushing him to play a few games and is that important?” Roenicke said. "Benny understood. He didn’t really didn’t want to push things past where he could reinjure himself. Everybody’s opinion was this was the best way to do it.
“There’s really not a reason to force him to get back to play to the end of the year.” Get 108 Stitches in your inboxEverything baseball every Monday-Friday during baseball season, and weekly in the offseason.
Benintendi, who was not made available to the media, was 4 of 39 with 17 strikeouts in 14 games before he fell rounding second base in a game against Tampa Bay and was injured. He had one extra-base hit and one RBI.
“To be honest I’m hoping he forgets about this season,” Roenicke said.
The 26-year-old Benintendi hit .282 with an .806 OPS, 42 stolen bases, 38 home runs, 203 runs and 191 RBIs over 333 games in his first three seasons in the majors after being called up in 2016.
He appeared to be a star in the making. Benintendi has since hit .255 with a .751 OPS with 11 stolen bases, 13 home run, 76 runs and 69 RBIs over 152 games. Chavis tries a new spot
Michael Chavis started Game 1 of the doubleheader against Philadelphia in left field. It was his first game in the outfield since high school.
Advertisement Related: Bobby Dalbec ups homer streak to four, bullpen costs Red Sox doubleheader sweep of Phillies
“The big advantage would be to get him in the lineup. That’s what it’s all about,” Roenicke said before the Red Sox' 6-5 loss in Game 1. “I want to give him the most opportunities we can to get out there and play.”
The Sox have been short an outfielder since Kevin Pillar was traded to Colorado Aug. 31. They have used Tzu-Wei Lin, Yairo Munoz, and defensively challenged designated hitter J.D. Martinez in left since.
There has been talk of trying Chavis in left field going back to last season. His future could be as a utility player given his experience at first, second, and third base.
Chavis was tested in the second inning of Game 1 when Rhys Hoskins came up with the bases loaded and sent a 106.8-mile-per-hour line drive to left. Chavis broke in and made the catch to end the inning.
“As long as I’m in the lineup I’m going to figure it out,” Chavis said. “I told [Roenicke] I’d be more than happy to do whatever I could to get in the lineup.” More newcomers
The Red Sox summoned infielder Christian Arroyo from Pawtucket and started him at second base in the first game. He was 1 for 3.
Catcher Deivy Grullón was called up to be the extra player for the doubleheader and started the second game with Kevin Plawecki still recovering from being it in the hand by a pitch Sunday. Grullón was 1 for 3 with a walk and a run scored.
The Sox have used 43 players in 44 games this season. They used 47 over 162 games last season and 44 in 2018.
Arroyo was a first-round pick of the Giants in 2013 who has since played for the Rays and Indians. The Sox claimed him off waivers Aug. 13.
Arroyo has an .846 OPS on 104 career Triple A games, but only a .622 OPS in 71 major league games before coming to the Sox. He is primarily a third baseman but has experience at second base and shortstop.
Roenicke said the Sox want to get a look at Arroyo at second.
The interest in seeing more of Chavis and Arroyo suggests the Sox aren’t as enthralled with Jose Peraza as they once were. Related: MLB Notebook: First-place Braves lose ace Max Fried to IL
Peraza was 4 for 5 with two RBIs on Opening Day. He is 21 of 106 (.198) in the 33 games that followed with six RBIs. He was 0 for 3 in Game 2.
The 24-year-old Grullón was claimed off waivers from the Phillies on Sept. 3. Eovaldi gets closer
The Sox will stay in Philadelphia for most of Wednesday’s day off before going on to Florida for a four-game series against the Rays that starts Thursday. Nate Eovaldi has a bullpen session scheduled at Citizens Bank Park. If that goes well, he could come off the injured list for the Rays series. Eovaldi hasn’t pitched since Aug. 20 because of a strained right calf . . . Yairo Munoz, who came out of Sunday’s game with a strained hip, is recovering better than was expected and could be ready by Thursday . . . Lefthander Matt Hall, who has allowed 14 earned runs in 6⅓, was optioned to Pawtucket before Game 1.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:43:10 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez, Zack Godley, Ryan Weber and now, Chris Mazza.
#RedSox starting pitchers to record an out in the 5th inning this season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:45:00 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Mike Kickham will start the #RedSox opening game in Tampa Bay.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:45:35 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h #RedSox manager Ron Roenicke on Bobby Dalbec -- 'I’ve seen some great starts, but probably not the home runs like this. We talked about it and it’s what we were hoping for.'
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:52:49 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Career-best 5 IP for Chris Mazza.
2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 58-37. He's done a nice job of keeping the Sox in the game.
3 x 3 with a walk for Jackie Bradley Jr., who has hit safely in 19 of his last 21 games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 3:58:43 GMT -5
Red Sox injuries: Nathan Eovaldi could return over weekend; Yairo Munoz, Kevin Plawecki will avoid injured list Updated Sep 08, 2020; Posted Sep 08, 2020
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Some Red Sox injury updates from manager Ron Roenicke on the day Andrew Benintendi (right rib cage strain) was moved to the 45-day injured list and ruled out for the season:
Eovaldi could return over weekend
Starter Nathan Eovaldi (right calf strain) is slated to throw a bullpen session in Philadelphia on Wednesday despite the Red Sox being off. Eovaldi will be able to use a Citizens Bank Park bullpen and hitters might stand in for the session.
Eovaldi has not pitched since Aug. 20. If all goes well Wednesday, he could return at some point this weekend when the Red Sox taken on the Rays for a four-game series at Tropicana Field.
“He’s got a chance to maybe throw a couple innings in the series with Tampa,” Roenicke said. “If we still need to do another bullpen, we’ll do that in Tampa and he’ll be ready then in Miami.”
Munoz improving, could play Thursday
Utility man Yairo Munoz (hip strain) is unavailable for Tuesday’s doubleheader but could return as soon as Thursday after leaving Sunday’s loss in the first inning. He’s expected to avoid the injured list.
“He’s actually really good,” Roenicke said. “I’m surprised, (head athletic trainer Brad Pearson) is surprised. They took him out actually and ran him. Pretty good for coming out of the game the day before. I’ll try to stay away from him today unless there’s a big moment, then he can hit.”
Munoz, who was called up last Monday, was 10-for-21 (.476) with four extra base hits in his first six games with the Red Sox, playing right field and left field.
Plawecki likely to avoid IL
Catcher Kevin Plawecki (hand/wrist) also won’t play Tuesday after getting hit with a 94.8 mph fastball on Sunday afternoon. He is also day-to-day.
“His arm is pretty good but it’s still swollen, it’s still sore and I’m not planning on catching him the second game,” Roenicke said. “That’s kind of where we are there. Our 29th player today, (Deivy) Grullon, that’s who I’ve got catching the second game today.”
Other updates
Left-hander Darwinzon Hernandez (sprained left SC joint) was scheduled to throw a bullpen in Philadelphia on Tuesday... lefty Kyle Hart (left hip inpingement) and righty Colten Brewer (right third finger strain) both went on the injured list last week, so the Red Sox currently have eight players on the IL (including Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale and Dustin Pedroia).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 4:01:05 GMT -5
Bobby Dalbec, Boston Red Sox rookie slugger, has used Jackie Bradley Jr.'s bat during 4-game homer streak: ‘Just tried it our and it has been going pretty well’ Updated 2:03 AM; Today 2:03 AM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Red Sox rookie slugger Bobby Dalbec made franchise history Tuesday night, and he at least partially credits a piece of equipment for the accomplishment.
Dalbec, who became the first Red Sox rookie to hit home runs in four consecutive games with a two-run shot in Tuesday night’s win over the Phillies, has been using a bat belonging to teammate Jackie Bradley Jr. over the last few days. With Bradley Jr.'s lumber, Dalbec has homered four times -- including once in each end of Tuesday’s doubleheader in Philadelphia.
“It just feels good,” Dalbec said. “He’s swinging a pretty good, hot bat right now. I picked it up in the cage one of the games I was sitting and couldn’t put it down. Just tried it out and it has been going pretty well.”
Dalbec homered in his major-league debut against the Nationals on Aug. 30 but struggled to make contact over his next four games, going 0-for-14 with nine strikeouts. In Saturday’s win, he broke his hitless streak with a line-drive home run to left field off Blue Jays starter Chase Anderson. On Sunday, he took Robbie Ray deep to right field at Fenway Park in the fourth inning but struck out twice.
Three of Dalbec’s five homers -- including the 108.9 mph, 408-foot blast he hit off David Phelps in the nightcap -- have gone to the opposite field. The two he hit Tuesday were the longest of the bunch.
“Even when he hit it, the sound wasn’t the same as when other guys hit the ball but you saw how far up that thing went,” Roenicke said. “It wasn’t even close. Just tremendous power. If he can continue to play good defense and make contact, it’ll be fun to watch this.”
Dalbec, who also had an RBI single to give the Red Sox some insurance in their 5-2 Game 2 win, is now hitting .250 (8-for-32) with five home runs, eight RBIs and 16 strikeouts through his first nine big-league games. Though the strikeouts have been there, Dalbec has been a bright spot for a Red Sox club that has nothing to play for in the final three weeks of the season.
“I’ve seen some great starts, but not the home runs like that,” said manager Ron Roenicke. “We talked about it and that’s what we were hoping for. We talked about just putting the ball in play more often. He’s doing it and also got a big base hit for us. That’s really fun to see. With all the things that are going on, it’s great to see a young guy start off like that.”
While he was struggling last week, Dalbec worked with hitting coaches Tim Hyers and Peter Fatse to try to emulate his college swing from his days at the University of Arizona. The coaches encouraged Dalbec to eliminate a toe tap and heighten his leg kick. The changes have paid off in the last few days.
“Just trying to use my lower body better and my back side better,” Dalbec said. “I was kind of heavy on my front side and not really controlling it, which was causing me to twist and miss pitches I shouldn’t miss. It feels good to have a good routine right now and keep it rolling.”
With Mitch Moreland traded to San Diego and Michael Chavis taking on more of a utility role, it appears the Red Sox will use Dalbec as their primary first baseman for the rest of the season. Though the 25-year-old is focused on the process of getting better each day, the final month of the season will serve as an audition for him to make the 2021 team.
“I never really try to put those goals home runs and production-wise,” he said. “I just want to have good at-bats. Obviously, had a rough stretch and still striking out a bit. I feel really good up there, just staying confident and staying aggressive.”
Though he has been in the majors less than two weeks, Dalbec has consistently shown the tantalizing power that has had Boston’s decision-makers so excited about his potential in recent years. It didn’t take long for him to etch his name in the club’s history books with his home run streak.
“It feels amazing. That’s crazy,” Dalbec said. “I would never think that would happen, some crazy stat like that and my name to be in there. I’m very fortunate to be in this position, so that’s awesome.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 4:05:43 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 7h Dalbec the last few days. 104.6 371 110.2 373 100.3 388 105.9 425 108.9 408
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 9, 2020 5:57:12 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 1m Bobby Dalbec to deep left. It's 4-4 in the 6th. Four solo homers for the #RedSox this afternoon.
#RedSox homers this afternoon (feet) -- 416, 423, 417, 425.
Nothing cheap there. It seems that far too many of our homers are solo shots. I don't recall too many 3 run shots.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 9, 2020 6:00:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1m #RedSox pitchers walked eight (in 6.2 IP) and four came around to score. The walks that our staff has given up has been a problem all season long. Extremely frustrating to watch. I'd rather see them give up hits than walks.
OTOH, our offense doesn't seem to be walking much.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 7:10:56 GMT -5
Thanks to Bobby Dalbec, the Red Sox finally have their feel-good story
For the first time in a long time, something has gone right for the Red Sox. Really right.
For that, they can thank Bobby Dalbec.
He is the 25-year-old first baseman who became the first Red Sox rookie to homer in four straight games. And to add some spice to the story, Dalbec did it with someone else’s bat.
“Just trying to use my lower body better and my back side better. I was kind of heavy on my front side and not really controlling it, which was allowing me to twist and miss pitches that I shouldn’t miss, so it feels good just to be able to have a good routine right now and keep it rolling,” Dalbec explained after the Red Sox/ 5-2 win over the Phillies Tuesday night in the second game of the teams’ doubleheader. “Also starting using Jackie Bradley’s bat ever since I hit those homers, so I think that’s got a lot to do with it, too.”
Why Bradley Jr.’s bat?
“”t just feels good,” Dalbec explained. “He was swinging a really good hot bat. I picked it up in the cage one of the games I was sitting and couldn’t put it down and just tried it out and it’s been going pretty well.”
For once, the Red Sox were smacked with serendipity.
If the Red Sox trade Bradley Jr. and his bats, not only don’t they get the current hot streak from the outfielder (he went 3-for-3 to get his OPS up to .761 for the season), but who knows if Dalbec’s recent run at history ever unfolds.
And while the bat story adds another layer to the recent success (just as was the case when Daisuke Matsuzaka hit a home run with J.D. Drew’s bat), there were other explanations for Dalbec’s step away from all those swings and misses.
“So (assistant hitting coach) Pete (Fatse) and (hitting coach) Tim (Hyers) both had him the cage and changed the leg kick,” said Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke. “He was doing a kind of toe tap thing and they changed it to a higher leg kick and maybe that’s the difference. He looks good and really nice day for him.”
Make no mistake about it, there is a long way to go for Dalbec. While he did make history, history also teaches us to pump the breaks a bit.
Some might remember Sam Horn hitting five home runs in his first seven games for the Red Sox in 1987. He was supposed to be a no-doubt-about-it staple in the middle of the lineup after that run. Nope. After two seasons of never playing more than 33 games he was off to Baltimore.
Horn is just one example — having offered the same feel-good story we’re currently soaking in with Dalbec. There have been plenty of other rookies managing to take the path the Red Sox are banking on for their current first baseman, immersing themselves into the majors at just the right time.
After days like Tuesday, however, it’s hard not to project.
Dalbec. J.D. Martinez. Alex Verdugo. Rafael Devers. Christian Vazquez. Xander Bogaerts. Lock down a few more positional pieces along with a whole lot more pitching and you might have something.
Dare to dream. Why not? Reality hasn’t been all that fun for these Red Sox.
“I’ve seen some great starts but not the home runs like this so we talk about it and that’s what we were hoping for,” Roenicke said. “We talk about putting the ball in play more and he’s doing it and also got a big base hit for us so that’s really fun to see. With all the things going on it’s great to see a young guy start off like that.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 9, 2020 11:01:35 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 11m #RedSox returned catcher Deivy Grullón to the taxi squad after he was the extra player in Tuesday’s doubleheader. Backup catcher Kevin Plawecki, who didn’t play Tuesday because of a bruised hand, is expected to be available on Thursday.
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