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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 20, 2024 17:55:26 GMT -5
Broadcast said Left Rib discomfort for Casas
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 20, 2024 17:57:48 GMT -5
Red Sox win 4-2
Crawford Line 6ip/ 7/1/1/3bb/6k/ 100-68
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Apr 20, 2024 19:46:59 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Alex Cora and Kenley Jansen made brief speeches to congratulate Cam Booser on his debut before he was doused by teammates. He left the ballpark with two baseballs and the lineup card.
Nice moment for the Sox.
After reporters talked to Booser, I asked Liam Hendriks and Kenley Jansen about their first MLB games. They recounted every batter, counts. etc. Exact details. Even all these years later, they remembered everything.
Every big leaguer ever could fit in Fenway Park with plenty room to spare. There are only 23,174 of them. That's why debuts are so special. I love this stuff. Even if it all disappears tomorrow, it has to be an incredible feeling to have made it, especially after all those years.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 20, 2024 20:01:17 GMT -5
Crawford works 6 solid innings and the Red Sox deal the struggling Pirates a 5th straight loss AP PITTSBURGH (AP) Kutter Crawford allowed one run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox defeated the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Saturday.
Crawford (1-0, 0.66 ERA) struck out six and walked three. The 28-year-old right-hander gave up a season-high seven hits after not allowing more than three hits in any of his previous four starts. He yielded two hits in each of his last three starts and has allowed three runs in 27 1/3 innings this season.
“Honestly, I like these starts a lot,” Crawford said. “I take pride in competing and trying to work out of situations like that.”
Boston entered the series having lost seven of 10 games before taking the first two of the three-game set. Pittsburgh lost its fifth straight game, and eighth in the past 10 games, after opening the season 11-5.
“I didn’t think our approach was bad often today,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "It’s just when we had some crucial at-bats, in those situations, we didn’t really execute our plan.”
Kenley Jansen picked up his fifth save, striking out the side in the ninth, including Michael A. Taylor for the second out on an automatic third strike for not being set. Shelton was tossed after arguing the strike call on Taylor.
It was Jansen's 425th save in 15 seasons, passing John Franco for the fifth-most in major league history.
“It's just a great accomplishment,” the 36-year-old Jansen said. “Everybody was a part of it. There are a lot more names I could mention here. I have to (give) credit to all of them to make me who I am today.”
Pirates ace Mitch Keller (2-2) was tagged for four runs and allowed five hits and four walks in six innings. After a leadoff triple by Jarren Duran, he gave up two runs in the first inning and then faced one batter over the minimum the following four innings.
Masataka Yoshida got to Keller in the sixth, sending a hanging sinker 395 feet to right-center for a two-run homer that put the Red Sox ahead 4-1.
Crawford allowed a runner in each of his six innings.
Ke’Bryan Hayes led off the fourth with a double just inside the line in right for Pittsburgh. Jared Triolo laced a two-out single to left, scoring Hayes and cutting the Pirates' deficit to 2-1 before Crawford stuck out Oneil Cruz with runners on the corners.
Crawford escaped a bases-loaded jam with one out an inning later, striking out Jack Suwinski and Joey Bart.
“We gave him the chance to go out there and compete,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Probably last year, he's out of the game. We trust him.”
Connor Joe hit a pinch-hit homer to lead off the eighth for the Pirates.
“You’ve just got to score,” Pittsburgh outfielder Bryan Reynolds said. "Sometimes you go through little ruts. We’re in a rut right now. It’s still April 20. We’ve got time to make adjustments in the box, so we’re going to make adjustments.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: 1B Triston Casas left with left rib discomfort after drawing a walk in the first inning. Cora said more information could be provided Sunday. ... INF Rafael Devers (knee) and OF Tyler O’Neill (concussion) could return Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians, Cora said.
UP NEXT
LHP Martín Pérez (1-0, 2.55) will take the mound for the Pirates in the series finale on Sunday. The Red Sox have not announced a starter.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 20, 2024 20:02:18 GMT -5
Red Sox’ Alex Cora acknowledges concern over Triston Casas’ rib injury Updated: Apr. 20, 2024, 8:50 p.m.|Published: Apr. 20, 2024, 7:55 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com PITTSBURGH — Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas was sent to undergo imaging after leaving Saturday’s game with rib discomfort and there’s clear concern about the injury.
Casas was not at PNC Park when reporters entered the clubhouse following Boston’s 4-2 win over the Pirates because he was off-site undergoing tests on his rib area. Asked if Casas was OK after departing the game in the first inning, manager Alex Cora was blunt.
“No. He’s not doing OK,” Cora said. “They’re checking on him right now. You got the report from everybody so they’re checking on him. We’ll know more over the course of the night.”
Casas worked a walk against Pirates starter Mitch Keller in the first inning and ran the bases but did not go out for defense in the bottom of the inning. In the middle of the game, the Red Sox said he left with “left rib discomfort” but provided no further details.
Cora said Casas’ discomfort, which stemmed from a swing in the at-bat, was quickly evident.
“There was a swing in that first at-bat — I don’t know how many swings — but he stretched out,” Cora said. “I think it was right in the middle (of the at-bat). He ended up walking. And when he came in, he was like, ‘I can play defense but you need someone to hit for me in the next at-bat.’”
Losing Casas for any period of time would be another major blow to a Red Sox team that has been bit hard by the injury bug through the first three-plus weeks of the season. Boston has already lost starter Lucas Giolito and shortstop Trevor Story for the entire season and has some other expected contributors (Tyler O’Neill, Nick Pivetta, Garrett Whitlock and Vaughn Grissom) on the injured list now. Star third baseman Rafael Devers is not on the IL but is expected to once again be out Sunday with knee soreness; it would be his 10th missed game this year.
The Red Sox are light on first base depth. Bobby Dalbec, who has been playing third base in place of Devers, is the top option on the 40-man roster, though he is 1-for-26 with 15 strikeouts this year. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder is another potential option after seeing some time (five innings) at first base as part of his rehab assignment at Triple-A earlier this week. There’s no clear replacement at Triple-A with Niko Kavadas, Jamie Westbrook and the injured Romy Gonzalez splitting reps at the position so far this season.
For now, the Red Sox are summoning Triple-A catcher Tyler Heineman to Pittsburgh for Sunday’s game, according to multiple sources familiar with the move. He’s the only healthy position player left on the 40-man roster who isn’t with the major league club but has never played first base in his career. Heineman will join Reese McGuire and Connor Wong as catchers on the active roster if activated for the series finale.
The 24-year-old Casas has started all 22 games the Red Sox have played this season (21 at first base, 1 at designated hitter). He entered Saturday second on the team in plate appearances; Casas had 89 while Jarren Duran leads the team with 98. Casas hit .244 with six homers, 10 RBIs and an .850 OPS through his first 21 games. Entering Saturday, he had homered four times in Boston’s last seven games, including Friday night.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 20, 2024 20:03:32 GMT -5
With Triston Casas hurt, Red Sox making outside-the-box roster move Updated: Apr. 20, 2024, 8:24 p.m.|Published: Apr. 20, 2024, 8:19 p.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com PITTSBURGH — With Triston Casas undergoing imaging on his ribs after leaving Saturday’s game in the first inning, the Red Sox are making an outside-the-box roster move.
Boston has summoned catcher Tyler Heineman to Pittsburgh ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Pirates, multiple sources confirmed. Heineman could take Casas’ spot on the active roster if Casas needs to be placed on the injured list. Heineman was scratched from the lineup at Triple-A Worcester for the second half of a doubleheader at Polar Park on Saturday night.
It doesn’t make much sense for the Red Sox to call up a catcher to replace a first baseman, but Heineman is the last position player on the 40-man roster who is healthy and not with the big league club. The Red Sox are carrying 13 position players and already have four others (Romy Gonzalez, Vaughn Grissom, Trevor Story and Tyler O’Neill) on the injured list with another (Rafael Devers) expected to miss Sunday’s game with a bone bruise in his left knee. Heineman, who has played 104 big league games and joined the Red Sox via waivers in early February, would be the third catcher on the roster behind Connor Wong and Reese McGuire. Like Heineman, McGuire and Wong have never played first base in the major leagues.
Heineman will at least give the Red Sox a healthy body and a bench bat for Sunday’s game as they assess other options. If Casas — who left PNC Park before the end of the game to undergo imaging — needs to miss time, there are not many clear replacement options in the organization. Bobby Dalbec, who has been playing third base in place of Devers, is the top option on the 40-man roster, though he is 1-for-26 with 15 strikeouts this year. Outfielder Rob Refsnyder is another potential option after seeing some time (five innings) at first base as part of his rehab assignment at Triple-A earlier this week. There’s no clear replacement at Triple-A with Niko Kavadas, Jamie Westbrook and the injured Gonzalez splitting reps at the position so far this season. Former All-Star Jared Walsh was just designated for assignment by the Rangers and could be an emergency consideration if the Sox look outside the organization. So too could C.J. Cron, who spent most of spring training with the Red Sox before being granted his release at the end of camp.
To add a player like Westbrook, Eddy Alvarez, Nick Sogard or someone else to the 40-man roster, the Red Sox could transfer an injured player like Bryan Mata to the 60-day injured list or designate someone for assignment.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:21:57 GMT -5
'I take pride in competing': Crawford continues effective start to '24 April 20th, 2024 Jake Crouse
Jake Crouse @jakecrousemlb
0:16
1:20
PITTSBURGH -- Kutter Crawford found himself in the first tough situation of his start on Saturday against the Pirates in the fourth inning. Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a leadoff double and Joey Bart drew a one-out walk. It was the first time Crawford had allowed two baserunners to reach base on the day.
Rowdy Tellez stepped to the plate, took two pitches, and then tried to lift a middle-cut splitter from the Red Sox right-hander. Instead of finding the barrel, it barely grazed the bat, spun up and over the Pirates first baseman’s head at an odd angle and was caught by Reese McGuire near Boston’s on-deck circle.
Tellez slammed his bat down in frustration and snapped the handle off. Crawford ended up allowing a run that frame, but it was the only one he would allow all day en route to Boston’s 4-2 win over the Pirates at PNC Park.
And this season, Crawford has made a lot of batters feel like Tellez.
Crawford now owns the best ERA mark by a Red Sox starting pitcher (0.66) since Roger Clemens produced a 0.66 ERA through his first five starts in the 1991 season. Saturday marked the most traffic he had allowed in a start, with seven hits and three walks permitted, but it only gave us a chance to see his clutch-time form put into practice.
“I like these starts a lot,” Crawford said. “I take pride in competing and trying to work out of situations like that.”
Crawford was the only pitcher in Red Sox history (excluding openers) to allow one or no runs and three or fewer hits in each of his first four starts of the season. But that streak was snapped, as he labored more than he had in any other start this season, reaching 100 pitches for the first time in 2024 and allowing seven hits.
However, Crawford also drew 17 swings and misses, which are a season best and tied for the second-best mark of his career. Most came on his namesake pitch, the cutter (seven), but he found fairly consistent results across the board on his offspeed pitches.
Two of the biggest whiffs came in the fifth inning after Crawford loaded the bases with only one out, trying to protect a one-run lead. He settled himself down during a mound visit, then proceeded to strike out Jack Suwinski and Bart to end the threat. He emphasized the moment with an animated celebration and yell.
Three batters later, Masataka Yoshida rewarded him and put the game out of reach with a two-run homer. Get the latest from the Red Sox
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What’s made Crawford so unbelievably effective to begin 2024?
A part of it may be his funky windup, where he hitches his arm right at the moment you’d think his arm would start moving forward.
“He’s just trying to throw you off timing. Timing is hitting,” said Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds. “When I face somebody like that, I just get ready extra early then sit there and wait for it. It was effective and messed with our timing today.”
But mostly, it’s the growth he’s shown since he made his MLB debut in 2021. In the beginning, the Red Sox tried to use him as a reliever and a starter, which Cora admits was a bit of a mistake in hindsight.
“We made him a reliever. We made him a two-pitch pitcher. That was wrong from our end,” Cora said. “This guy is a starter at the big league level.”
Cora has now made clear his faith in the pitcher who went from being seen as maybe a two-pitch reliever into a five-pitch starter with records to his name. In fact, Cora came out for a mound visit with two outs in the sixth inning, after Crawford had just walked Oneil Cruz with two outs.
But unlike most manager’s visits to the mound, which end in a hook, this was simply him reaffirming that the next guy was Crawford’s to get.
“I think [Cora] watching me pitch over the last couple of years and seeing me develop, maybe that helped persuade him to leave me out there,” Crawford said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:23:04 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Casas (left rib) exits, to get testing April 20th, 2024
MLB.com LATEST NEWS
April 20: 1B Triston Casas exits game with left rib discomfort Casas fouled off a pitch in a 3-1 count and appeared to grab at the left side of his ribcage in the first inning of Saturday's game against the Pirates, but he stayed in and drew a walk. He was pulled the next inning, and Pablo Reyes took his spot in the lineup. Casas will undergo further testing, though manager Alex Cora was unsure if an MRI would be needed.
"He's not doing OK," Cora said. "They're checking on him right now. ...We'll know more over the course of the night."
April 20: Update on 3B Rafael Devers Devers underwent an MRI Thursday morning that showed a bone bruise and no structural damage in his left knee, which he tweaked making a play on defense in Tuesday's loss. He sat out Thursday, Friday and Saturday, but manager Alex Cora told reporters on Saturday at PNC Park that the team is aiming for Devers to return on Tuesday.
"Yeah, I don't know yet," said Devers on Thursday. "But the thing that I know is I don't want to go back too soon and go back to that place. I'm going to take my time to be ready. When I feel good and when I feel 100 percent to play, that’s when I’m going to play."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:31:02 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 10h Wilyer Abreu last 9 games:
9x27 5 XBH 7 BB 5 RBI 4 SB 7 R
OPS climbed from .311 to .770.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:34:31 GMT -5
Tyler Milliken ⚾️ @tylermilliken_ Red Sox are calling-up Tyler Heineman for tomorrow’s series finale against the Pirates, per @chriscotillo .
He was the last healthy position player on the 40-man.
Looks like Casas is landing on the IL.
Pete Abraham @peteabe Not sure what 3rd catcher accomplishes. But there are no other healthy hitters on the 40-man. Eddy Alvarez or Jamie Westbrook would provide more depth.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:41:37 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Rafael Devers, Tyler O’Neill inching closer to playing again for the Red Sox By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated April 20, 2024, 5:24 p.m.
PITTSBURGH — Rafael Devers (knee) and Tyler O’Neill (concussion) are progressing well, according to manager Alex Cora.
The Red Sox hope both will be available for the beginning of the Guardians series at Cleveland that starts Tuesday. Devers could be available sooner but, ideally, the Sox would like to stay away from Devers for the remainder of the Pirates series, considering Monday is an offday.
“I talked to him this morning and I said you know if we can actually get away with these two days and be ready for Tuesday’s, it’ll be great,” Cora said prior to Saturday’s contest. “He felt like it was a good plan. He actually hit inside during the game yesterday and felt better. So we just got to be patient and hopefully we can deal with it the next few days. Hopefully he can start over there.”
Devers has played in just 13 of the Sox’ 22 games. Initially, he missed some time because of a sore left shoulder that had plagued him since the start of spring training. Then it was a bone bruise in his left knee. Devers tried to play through it in the Sox’ April 17 matchup against the Guardians but looked uncomfortable on most of his swings, forcing the Sox slugger out of action once again.
O’Neill and Devers being out hurts the Sox’ versatility. Yet Cora said that having Rob Refsnyder back in the fold can help the Sox weather that storm, giving the Sox the chance to put Ceddanne Rafaela back in the infield.
“It’s kind of hard going without Tyler and Raffy at the same time,” Cora said. “So we just have to be patient with him. He’s feeling better. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt. Like, ‘Hey you let me know.’ This morning it was a good conversation. He’s in a good spot.
”Like I said earlier, we take care of him and he’ll take care of us hopefully. We’re trying to stay away from him. That’s the most important thing. All of a sudden we pinch-hit him and we go 15 innings and we go a few steps back.”
O’Neill took batting practice on the field with the team Saturday and hit some tape-measure shots onto the walkway area in left field at PNC Park. O’Neill also played catch on the field. Grissom trending in right direction
Vaughn Grissom (groin) is trending in the right direction. Grissom played second base for the first time Friday since going on a rehab assignment for Triple A Worcester. He made a nice backhand play going up the middle and delivered a solid throw to first base. Grissom also put together some quality at-bats, going 1 for 3 with a double.
Even though Grissom is progressing and the Sox could use him up the middle, the Sox are still adamant about slow-playing his rehab process since he didn’t have a spring training. Grissom needs reps, particularly because he’s learning a new position in second base.
“He hasn’t played in a while so it’s going to take longer,” said Cora. “But just to be safe and for him to get at-bats and obviously repetitions at second base. We have to be patient with that.” Pivetta has been throwing
Nick Pivetta (elbow) threw a bullpen Saturday. He will throw an up-and-down Thursday in Cleveland that will be followed by a live batting practice. The club will then decide whether or not Pivetta will need a rehab assignment. “From my end, I’d rather him go have a rehab start,” said Cora. “If he needs two, he needs two. But just to rush him into the equation, it doesn’t make sense. But he’s in a good spot.” … Garrett Whitlock (oblique) played catch Saturday … The Red Sox are calling up Tyler Heineman for Sunday’s game … Tim Wakefield’s friends and former teammates gathered Friday at the Invited Celebrity Classic, a pro-am golf tournament in Austin, Texas, and paid tribute to the former Red Sox pitcher. Jon Lester, Terry Francona, John Smoltz, Roger Clemens, Derek Lowe, and Kevin Millar attended.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 21, 2024 5:45:30 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, April 21, 2024 at 1:35pm EDT Written by Michael Briggs
The Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates will square off on Sunday at PNC Park. First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. ET.
Boston (11-10 SU, 11-10 RL, and 10-10-1 O/U) hasn't named a probable starter. It is expected to turn to reliever Josh Winckowski on Sunday with starting pitchers Nick Pivetta and Garrett Whitlock on the injured list. The 25-year-old is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in seven appearances (11.2 IP) this season.
Pittsburgh (11-9 SU, 12-8 RL, and 12-8 O/U) is countering with southpaw Martín Pérez. The 33-year-old is 1-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in four starts.
*Article published before the conclusion of Saturday's game.
Injury Report
Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers is questionable (knee).
Pirates: C Joey Bart is questionable (concussion).
Boston has been dealing on the mound Boston dropped three of four games to Cleveland in its last series, as it was outscored 21-13. The Red Sox have won three series so far, but those victories came against the Athletics and Angels (twice). Is this team built to contend this season and beyond?
Boston ranks 23rd in OBP (.302), 16th in OPS (.699), 2nd in home runs (28), and 14th in RBI (88). The Red Sox pitching staff sports a 2.62 ERA (1st) and 1.12 WHIP (3rd) this season.
Winckowski is likely to open for Boston on Sunday. His 2024 season has been a rollercoaster, as he held three opponents scoreless in six combined frames and gave up 13 runs (six earned) in his other four appearances (5.2 IP). Winckowski fanned 17 batters, but he also put 24 runners on base in those seven outings (11.2 IP). The third-year pro went 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 60 games (84.1 IP) last season.
The Pirates have cooled off
Pittsburgh hopes to rebound at home versus Boston after suffering a series sweep to the Mets in Queens. The Pirates were outscored 18-5 in the three-game set and managed two total runs in the last two contests. Have their bats cooled off?
Pittsburgh ranks 11th in OBP (.326), 22nd in OPS (.681), 24th in home runs (16), and 14th in RBI (88). The Pirates pitching staff has a 4.09 ERA (16th) and 1.19 WHIP (6th) this season.
Pérez will take the mound for the Pirates on Sunday afternoon. In his last start, the veteran lefty allowed three runs on six hits in 5.2 innings versus the Mets. He has given up seven runs in 24.2 total innings this season. Pérez went 10-4 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 35 appearances (141.2 IP) last season with the Rangers. He faced the Red Sox once in 2023, holding them to three hits and no runs with five Ks in 4.2 innings.
Red Sox at Pirates Sunday, at 1:35 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 47° F with a 0% chance of precipitation and 10 MPH wind blowing out in Pittsburgh at 1:35 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 21, 2024 8:19:13 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo Cora planning on having Devers and O'Neil back on Tuesday Fingers crossed. We are really hurting for position players, to state the obvious.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 21, 2024 8:24:35 GMT -5
Crawford works 6 solid innings and the Red Sox deal the struggling Pirates a 5th straight lossAP PITTSBURGH (AP) Kutter Crawford allowed one run in six strong innings and the Boston Red Sox defeated the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates 4-2 on Saturday. Crawford (1-0, 0.66 ERA) struck out six and walked three. The 28-year-old right-hander gave up a season-high seven hits after not allowing more than three hits in any of his previous four starts. He yielded two hits in each of his last three starts and has allowed three runs in 27 1/3 innings this season. “Honestly, I like these starts a lot,” Crawford said. “I take pride in competing and trying to work out of situations like that.” We are catching Pittsburgh at the right time. Obviously, we'd love to complete the sweep, but at minimum, we took the series. A very nice start by Crawford, as our starting pitchers continue to get it done. It would be nice if Dalbec could get it going.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 21, 2024 8:27:31 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 10h Wilyer Abreu last 9 games:
9x27 5 XBH 7 BB 5 RBI 4 SB 7 R
OPS climbed from .311 to .770. Good to see. We need these guys to step it up.
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