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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 2:11:26 GMT -5
Merrifield has winning hit in 13th inning as Blue Jays rally past Red Sox 4-3
AP
TORONTO (AP) Whit Merrifield hit a winning single in the 13th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Boston Red Sox 4-3 on Saturday and move a half-game ahead of Seattle for the AL’s third wild card spot.
Merrifield’s infield single off Mauricio Llovera (1-3) drove in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from third base for Toronto’s fifth win in its last at-bat.
Chad Green (3-0) pitched one inning for the win.
Guerrero hit a solo home run and reached base five times.
“At this point in the year, any win is going to be a good confidence boost,” Merrifield said. “Hopefully it will be good momentum.”
Guerrero went 2 for 3 with three walks, one intentional. He has homered in three consecutive games for the fourth time in his career.
“What Vladdy has done the last couple of days is a big boost,” Merrifield said.
Rafael Devers hit a two-run home run, his 32nd, but Boston lost for the ninth time in 11 games. The Red Sox lost for the fourth time in 62 opportunities when leading after six innings.
Toronto used an intentional walk and an infield single to load the bases against Nick Robertson in the 10th, but Merrifield struck out to end the threat.
“When something like that happens you’re eager to get back up and try again,” Merrifield said. “Fortunately I got another chance and made it happen.”
Boston led 2-1 heading to the ninth but right-hander John Schreiber couldn’t close it out, blowing his second save in three chances.
Pinch-hitting for Matt Chapman, Toronto’s Cavan Biggio hit a one-out single and advanced on a wild pitch. One out later, Daulton Varsho lined a game-tying triple over the head of rookie center fielder Cedanna Rafaela, who initially broke in on Varsho’s hit.
“It’s a mistake,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Rafaela’s play. “He’ll learn from it and be better for the next one.”
Schreiber sent it to extra innings by getting George Springer to ground out.
Boston’s Pablo Reyes hit an RBI single off Jordan Hicks in the top of the 12th but Bo Bichette tied it in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly off Zack Weiss.
Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale allowed one run and two hits in six-plus innings. The left-hander walked two and struck out 10.
“Definitely something to build off of,” Sale said.
Cora said he hasn’t seen Sale pitch better this year.
“I know he’s had some good games this season but for me, that was the best one as far as hitting his spots,” Cora said.
Sale departed after Guerrero’s leadoff home run in the seventh, his 24th.
Right-hander Josh Winckowski replaced Sale and got two outs but walked the bases loaded. Brennan Bernardino came on and retired pinch hitter Ernie Clement to end the threat.
Making his career-high 31st start, Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings.
Plate umpire Jordan Baker was struck in the left shoulder by a foul tip during Justin Turner’s at-bat in the top of the fourth. Baker received attention from Toronto’s trainer and was able to continue, but left after the eighth. Brennan Miller moved from second base to behind the plate in the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Boston put 1B Triston Casas on the 10-day IL because of right shoulder inflammation and recalled INF Bobby Dalbec from Triple-A Worcester. Cora said Casas will return to Boston on Saturday night and undergo an MRI Sunday. “It doesn’t make sense to push,” Cora said. “He’s been grinding through it. The last few days have been a challenge for him.”
Blue Jays: RHP Adam Cimber (shoulder) allowed one run and two hits in one inning in his first rehab appearance at Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.
STARTING STRONG
Red Sox starting pitchers have allowed three or fewer runs in each of the past seven games.
WEB GEM
Springer raced into the right field corner to make a diving catch on Masataka Yoshida’s liner for the first out of the seventh.
CHAPMAN STRUGGLING
Chapman is hitless in nine at-bats since being activated off the IL Thursday. The three-time Gold Glove Award winner missed 15 games because of a sprained right middle finger.
UP NEXT
LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3, 2.93 ERA) is expected to start for the Blue Jays in Sunday’s series finale against Canadian-born Red Sox RHP Nick Pivetta (9-9, 4.56).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 2:24:43 GMT -5
Red Sox drop under .500 after huge misplay in center field dooms them
Updated: Sep. 16, 2023, 8:01 p.m.|Published: Sep. 16, 2023, 7:16 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
Ceddanne Rafaela has the reputation for being an excellent center fielder but he misjudged Daulton Varsho’s 341-foot line drive with two outs in the ninth. Rafaela started in and the ball sailed over his head. The game should have ended. Instead, Varsho’s RBI triple tied it 2-2.
The Blue Jays then won it in the 13th inning on Whit Merrifield’s two-out, 61 mph infield single. Devers charged in to field it but had no play as the automatic runner, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., scored from third base. Devers didn’t attempt a throw to first base.
The Red Sox’s 4-3 loss to the Blue Jays dropped them under .500 (74-75) for the first time since June 30.
Both teams failed to score in the 10th and 11th innings. Boston finally broke through in the 12th inning. Pablo Reyes’ one-out RBI single to center scored Alex Verdugo, the automatic runner, to make it 3-2. But the Blue Jays tied it in the bottom half of the inning on Bo Bichette’s RBI sac fly.
The Sox couldn’t score in the top of the 13th despite getting a runner to third with one out.
Red Sox starter Chris Sale pitched 6-plus innings and allowed one run, two hits and two walks while striking out 10. He didn’t allow a hit until Alejandro Kirk’s single to right field with two outs in the fifth inning. But Alex Verdugo threw out Kirk trying to extend his single into a double.
The other hit was a solo homer. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a 367 foot homer to left field. Guerrero connected on a 78.8 mph slider outside the strike zone and cut Toronto’s deficit to 2-1.
Sale’s slider was his best pitch despite the solo homer against it. He threw it 37 times and recorded 10 swings and misses with it. He also threw 27 four-seam fastballs and 17 changeups. His four-seam averaged 91.4 mph and topped out at 94.0 mph, per Baseball Savant.
The Red Sox took a 2-0 lead in the sixth inning. Wilyer Abreu walked to open the inning and stole second. Rafael Devers then blasted a 363-foot two-run home run to left field. It left his bat at 104.5 mph.
Josh Winckowski replaced Sale with no outs in the seventh. He recorded two outs but walked the bases loaded. Brennan Bernardino replaced Winckowski with two outs in the seventh and escaped when he got Ernie Clement to pop out to second base.
Chris Martin pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Bo Bichette and Guerrero singled off him to put runners at the corners with one out. But Martin retired Davis Schneider on a lineout to right field and struck out Santiago Espinal swinging to escape the jam.
The Red Sox and Blue Jays will play again Sunday at 1:37 p.m. Boston righty Nick Pivetta (9-9, 4.56 ERA) will start opposite Toronto lefty Hyun Jin Ryu (3-3, 2.93 ERA).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 2:31:14 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas’s rookie season could be over because of shoulder inflammation
By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 16, 2023, 7:44 p.m.
TORONTO — A strong rookie season could be over for Triston Casas.
The Red Sox placed their first baseman on the 10-day injured list on Saturday with shoulder inflammation. The move was made retroactive to Friday.
Casas was in the original lineup but felt discomfort when he arrived at Rogers Centre. He returned to Boston and is scheduled for an MRI on Sunday.
Casas would be eligible to return on Sept. 25, at which point there would be six games remaining in the season. It seems unlikely the Sox would risk further injury at that point.
“It’s too soon for that,” manager Alex Cora said. “I would bet he would love to be part of this at the end. We’ll see what we have.”
Whether he plays again or not, it has been a breakthrough year for Casas. The 23-year-old has hit .263 with 24 home runs, 65 RBIs, and an .857 OPS through 132 games.
His numbers since the All-Star break — .317 with a 1.034 OPS — are among the best in the game.
Justin Turner started at first base for the second consecutive game and was 1 for 6 in a 4-3 loss in 13 innings.
The Sox recalled infielder Bobby Dalbec from Triple A Worcester.
Dalbec hit .167 over 10 major league games and 14 plate appearances this season, the last coming on June 25. He has hit .269 with a .938 OPS, 33 home runs, and 79 RBIs over 114 games for the WooSox.
Kluber wraps it up
Rather than pitch for Worcester on Saturday, Corey Kluber decided to end his season. The 37-year-old righthander has been on the injured list since June 21 with shoulder inflammation.
“We don’t expect him to pitch this year,” Cora said. “He’s at a point that he’s healthy. He’ll keep going with the rehab.”
Kluber was one of the notable miscalculations of the Chaim Bloom era. He was signed to a one-year $10 million contract in January, the only starting pitcher acquired during the offseason.
Kluber took the loss on Opening Day and was 2-6 with a 6.26 ERA through nine starts before he was demoted to the bullpen.
Kluber finished 3-6 with a 7.04 ERA and 1.64 WHIP.
Cora said Kluber was a good influence behind the scenes and could have an impact in the game in another role if he decides to retire.
A two-time Cy Young winner with Cleveland, Kluber is 116-77 with a 3.44 ERA over 13 seasons.
Camp Trevor
The details are still to be worked out, but Trevor Story is planning to host a minicamp in Texas over the offseason for some of the middle-infield prospects in the organization.
Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke are among the players who could attend.
As a Rockies prospect, Story was invited to work out in Las Vegas with Troy Tulowitzki before the 2014 season. Now he wants to pay that forward.
“What Tulo did really made an impression on me,” Story said. “I’d like to do that for the guys we have here.”
Story has purchased land for a baseball facility near his home in central Texas and the groundbreaking will be this winter. His camp this winter is likely to be at Dallas Baptist University.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Cora said.
Umpire change
The game was delayed in the top of the ninth inning when plate umpire Jordan Baker couldn’t continue after being hit with several foul balls, one that struck him directly in the shoulder. Second base umpire Brennan Miller replaced Baker and the game finished with three umpires. Baker is in MLB’s concussion protocol and will miss Sunday’s game … Casas (502) and Masataka Yoshida (543) are the first pair of Red Sox rookies to record at least 500 plate appearances in the same season since Jim Rice (613) and Fred Lynn (605) in 1975 … Righthanders Zack Kelly and Kaleb Ort made rehab appearances for Worcester in a 7-2 loss to Syracuse at Polar Park. Kelly, who is returning from elbow surgery, faced four hitters. He struck out two, walked one, and allowed a two-run homer. Ort, who had a fractured elbow, worked a scoreless inning with one strikeout. It’s uncertain if they will pitch in a major league game before the end of the season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 2:36:35 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Blue Jays
Sunday, 17 September 2023
1:30pm @ Rogers Centre
Pivetta 9-9/ 4.56
Ryu 3-3/ 2.93
Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 1:37pm EDT
Written by Bosun Akinpelu
The Toronto Blue Jays (81-67) will be going for the series win when they face the Boston Red Sox (74-74) in the final game of their three-game series on Sunday afternoon.
Hyun Jin Ryu, 3-3, 2.93 ERA, will get the start for the Blue Jays. The Red Sox will counter with Nick Pivetta, 9-9, 4.56 ERA.
Boston is 6-4 in its last 10 games against Toronto.
**This preview was written before Saturday’s game was played**
Red Sox Trying To End Slump
The Red Sox aren’t playing well at the moment and they’ve lost four of their last five games. They will try to turn things around with a win over the Blue Jays, which will give them their second win in their last six games.
Boston is averaging 4.94 runs per game. Their .263 batting average is third in the league. Their .328 on base percentage is ninth, while their .435 slugging percentage is sixth.
Masataka Yoshida leads Boston with a .288 batting average, while Rafael Devers leads the team with 31 home runs and 95 RBI.
Boston’s pitching hasn’t been good, with the team giving up 4.85 runs per game. Opponents have a .259 batting average against the Red Sox, which is 25th in the league. Their 4.58 ERA is 21st, while their 1.36 WHIP is 20th.
In his last start, Pivetta gave up four hits and three runs in 5.1 innings, leading to a 3-2 loss to the Yankees. They will need a better effort from him if they want to win this game.
Blue Jays Going For Fifth Win In Nine Games
The Blue Jays snapped their four-game losing streak with a win over the Red Sox in their last game. They will try to keep the momentum going with another win over the Red Sox, which will give them their fifth win in their last nine games.
Toronto is averaging 4.54 runs per game. Their .257 batting average is seventh in the league. Their .330 on base percentage is sixth, while their .416 slugging percentage is 14th.
Bo Bichette leads Toronto with a .306 batting average, while Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads the team with 23 home runs and 89 RBI.
Toronto’s pitching has been good, with the team giving up 4.15 runs per game. Opponents have a .240 batting average against the Blue Jays, which is seventh in the league. Their 3.78 ERA is third, while their 1.25 WHIP is seventh.
In his last start, Ryu gave up five hits and three runs in six innings, leading to a 6-3 loss to Texas. They will need another solid start from him if they want to get the win.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 3:03:42 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
8h
Sox are an unfathomable 5 for 57 (.088) with runners in scoring position the last six games.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 17, 2023 7:53:21 GMT -5
And there you go: Triston Casas on the 10-day IL (retroactive to September 15) with right shoulder inflammation. Bobby Dalbec recalled.
Casas could return with six games left in the season. Guessing they would not mess with a shoulder injury, even a mild one, for the sake of six games. I'm guessing that we've seen the last of Casas for this year. Welcome back Bobby D. I'm still a fan. |
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 17, 2023 7:58:47 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
8h
Sox are an unfathomable 5 for 57 (.088) with runners in scoring position the last six games. Yet another frustrating loss due to lack of offense (and poor defense).  Once the Jays tied it up, I didn't think the game would end well. I stayed up way too late watching the Cubs/DBacks and Dodgers/Mariners games, both great games. I really have nothing against the Mariners, but does anyone else find themselves pulling against a team because their announcers are so annoying? |
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 13:23:13 GMT -5
Pivetta vs Ryu
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF
Rob Refsnyder (R) LF
Justin Turner (R) DH
Rafael Devers (L) 3B
Adam Duvall (R) RF
Pablo Reyes (R) 2B
Trevor Story (R) SS
Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B
Reese McGuire (L) C
George Springer (R) DH
Bo Bichette (R) SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B
Davis Schneider (R) 2B
Cavan Biggio (L) RF
Matt Chapman (R) 3B
Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF
Daulton Varsho (L) LF
Tyler Heineman (S) C
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 13:28:13 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
2h
Kenley Jansen (Covid IL) will rejoin the Sox in Texas. He would be eligible to play on Wednesday.
Part of the pre-game conversation with Alex Cora today was on the Sox wanting Masataka Yoshida to be better prepared physically for next season. He's had a rough second half.
Seiya Suzuki has been much better for the Cubs this season than last as he learned the league, etc.
Yoshida's last 30 games: .217/.250/.330. 5 walks. 3 homers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 13:29:09 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
49m
A few pre-game Sox notes:
* Today is their first time facing Ryu since Aug. 8, 2021.
* Pivetta is 4-6, 5.81 as a starter (66.2 IP), 5-3, 3.07 as a reliever (55.2 IP).
* Sox last 7 games: 23 R, .208/.293/.349. 8x73 with RISP.
2nd and 3rd no outs and the Sox can't score again. Cora may spontaneously combust at this rate. 0x6 through 3 innings.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 13:35:04 GMT -5
This has worked out well in the past
Red Sox’s Bobby Dalbec likely to make start at position other than 1B
Published: Sep. 17, 2023, 1:28 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
Bobby Dalbec made the most out of a difficult situation in 2023 when he spent almost all season at Triple-A Worcester.
Dalbec, who started 175 games at first base for Boston in 2021-22 combined, tried to make himself a more versatile and all-around player. He even made 36 starts in right field, a position he never played before 2023.
“I’m making myself more valuable by getting more experience in the outfield and shortstop here and there,” Dalbec told MassLive on June 21. “I really enjoy playing the outfield. I feel like I hit really well when I’m out there. I don’t know if that translates — if that’s a real thing. But getting more and more comfortable out there. I’ve only played right (field). I took some fly balls in center today, which probably won’t happen.”
Dalbec will start at first base and bat eighth for the Red Sox on Sunday against the Blue Jays. Boston recalled him Saturday when they placed star rookie first baseman Triston Casas (right shoulder inflammation) on the 10-day injured list. It will be Dalbec’s first time in Boston’s starting lineup since June 25.
Manager Alex Cora also told reporters, including The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey on Sunday that he wants to get Dalbec a start in right field while he’s with the major league team. Dalbec logged 308 innings in right field for the WooSox. He had four outfield assists and four errors in 78 chances.
Dalbec always has had a strong arm, even pitching in college. The WooSox posted a video Aug. 31 of him throwing out a runner at home. He had two assists in right field in a game Sept. 13.
Dalbec was a more all-around player for Worcester this season, even stealing 18 bases.
He batted .269 with a .381 on-base percentage, .557 slugging percentage, .938 OPS, 33 homers, 14 doubles, three triples, 82 runs, 79 RBIs, 64 walks and 169 strikeouts in 114 games (493 plate appearances) for the WooSox. He is 2-for-12 with two walks, one run, one stolen base and eight strikeouts in 10 games for Boston this season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 19:01:52 GMT -5
Chapman's 9th-inning double lifts Blue Jays over Red Sox 3-2 for 3-game sweep
AP
TORONTO (AP) Matt Chapman hit a game-ending double off the center-field wall in the ninth inning, lifting the Toronto Blue Jays over the Boston Red Sox 3-2 on Sunday for a three-game sweep.
Toronto, which swept its ninth series this season, entered in the AL’s third and final wild card spot, a half-game behind Texas and a half-game ahead of Seattle.
The sweep of Boston put the Blue Jays back in the postseason picture after they were swept by Texas in a four-game series last week.
“To get three wins like that and get right back in the mix is huge for us,” Chapman said.
The Blue Jays won in their final at-bat for the sixth time this season and the second time in two days. Whit Merrifield’s infield single in the 13th inning gave Toronto a 4-3 win Saturday.
“It’s fun to build off that energy,” Chapman said. “I think it gets guys excited. Hopefully we can just build off that energy and keep it rolling through this last stretch.”
Toronto has 12 games remaining, six each against the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.
Boston has lost 10 of 12 and is nine games back of the Blue Jays with 12 games left. The Red Sox were swept for the eighth time.
“Obviously we want different results but it’s not happening right now,” manager Alex Cora said.
Boston trailed 2-1 when Rafael Devers homered off Erik Swanson (4-2) with two outs in the ninth, Devers’ career-high 33rd home run.
With All-Star closer Jordan Romano unavailable after pitching the previous two days, Swanson blew a save for the second time in six chances.
Cavan Biggio singled with one out in the bottom half against Garrett Whitlock (5-5), and Chapman followed with his second double of the game. Chapman’s 37 doubles are tied for third-most in the AL.
Red Sox rookie Wilyer Abreu, who took over in center in the eighth, jumped for the ball but couldn’t make the play.
“I did everything I could and unfortunately I wasn’t able to get it,” Abreu said through a translator.
Abreu injured his left hand when he landed and had an ice pack on it after the game but said it wasn’t serious.
Chapman’s hits were his first since being activated off the injured list last Thursday. He returned after being sidelined since Aug. 27 because of a sprained right middle finger, and was hitless in 12 at-bats coming into the game.
“I haven’t been able to be as consistent as I’d like to but to be able to come up big for the team today is a lot of fun,” Chapman said.
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette threw Devers out at the plate for the first out of the second as Devers tried to score on Pablo Reyes’ grounder.
“Being able to get an out like that really did change the whole atmosphere,” Blue Jays left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu said through a translator.
Devers reached base five times. He singled in the second, walked in the third and fifth, and was hit by a pitch in the seventh.
“He’s locked in right now,” Cora said. “He’s taking his walks, working the count, getting pitches he can drive. He’s in a great place right now.”
Kevin Kiermaier hit a sacrifice fly in the second and Daulton Varsho homered in the fifth off Nick Pivetta, who allowed two runs and four hits in 6 1/3 innings. Pivetta is winless in four starts.
Reyes had a two-out RBI single in the seventh. Boston was 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position, including 0 for its first 12.
Boston went 3 for 33 in the three-game series with runners in scoring position.
“It’s tough,” Cora said. “It happens over 162, but it’s been going on for a while.”
Ryu allowed six hits in 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Two-time Cy Young Award winner Corey Kluber (shoulder) has ended his rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester and will not pitch again this season, Cora said. … RHP Kenley Jansen (COVID IL) is expected to join the team in Texas this week, Cora said. Jansen is eligible to be activated on Wednesday.
NEW IN BLUE
Umpire Jacob Metz joined the crew at third base Sunday. He replaced Jordan Baker, who left Saturday’s game after eight innings and entered Major League Baseball’s concussion protocol after being struck by multiple foul tips.
ONE-RUN FUN
Toronto is 25-19 in one-run games.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Kutter Crawford (6-7, 4.26 ERA) is expected to start Monday night as the Red Sox visit Texas for a three-game series. LHP Jordan Montgomery (9-11, 3.47) is scheduled for the Rangers.
Blue Jays: LHP Yusei Kikuchi (9-6, 3.81 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday night as the Blue Jays travel to New York to begin a three-game series against the Yankees. New York’s scheduled starter is RHP Clarke Schmidt (9-8, 4.56).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 19:08:11 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
3h
Postgame, Wilyer Abreu has his left hand wrapped in ice after crashing into the CF wall trying to catch the game-winning hit. No x-rays, they'll see how he feels tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 17, 2023 19:09:14 GMT -5
Ian Browne
@ianmbrowne
·
2h
Since Sept. 6, here are Boston's numbers with runners in scoring position.
Slash line of .151/.215/.269. All three of those stats (average, OBP, SLG) are last in MLB in that span.
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Post by Kimmi on Sept 18, 2023 16:53:11 GMT -5
2nd and 3rd no outs and the Sox can't score again. Cora may spontaneously combust at this rate. 0x6 through 3 innings.{Sigh} I believe I have already combusted spontaneously many times this season. |
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Once the Jays tied it up, I didn't think the game would end well.