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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 14:32:13 GMT -5
Alex Speier
@alexspeier
Another opposite-field homer by Devers, this one a two-run shot. He has 13 homers this year: 4 of them to the opposite field, 8 of them to the middle of the field, and just 1 to the pull side.
4:28 PM · Jun 5, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 14:37:20 GMT -5
Tyler Milliken ⚾️
@tylermilliken_
Nick Pivetta with his best start of the season.
7 IP - 91 Pitches/63 Strikes
1 Hit
0 ER/R
9 K
2 BB
18 Whiffs
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 15:00:15 GMT -5
Red Sox win 9-0
Onto Chicago
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:03:02 GMT -5
Nick Pivetta, Rafael Devers power the Red Sox to a 9-0 win over the Braves
AP
BOSTON (AP) Nick Pivetta combined with two relievers for a one-hit shutout and Rafael Devers hit two homers and drove in three runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Atlanta Braves 9-0 on Wednesday.
Pivetta (3-4) worked seven innings and allowed Atlanta’s only hit - a leadoff single by Austin Riley in the fourth inning. The 31-year-old right-hander struck out nine and finished one strikeout shy of his season high, against the Seattle Mariners on March 29.
“I wouldn’t say I felt great, to be honest with you,” Pivetta said. “But, yeah, it was a good outing. I think throughout the game the guys were on the bats, gave me a lot of runs, so I was able to just kind of attack the strike zone, get ahead of guys, allow themselves to get each other out. It was a good team win today.”
Devers hit a solo home run in the second inning and a two-run shot in the seventh for the 17th multi-homer game of his career and first since July 14, 2023, against the Chicago Cubs. He has 13 homers this season.
“Now, he’s locked in,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Devers. “Staying on fastballs, using the whole field, not chasing pitches, hitting the ball the other way, that’s being locked in. Now, he’s very dangerous.”
Jarren Duran hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, his fourth of the season. Duran, Rob Refsnyder, Tyler O’Neill and Dominic Smith each had two hits as Boston improved to 31-31 with its fifth win in 12 games.
Braves right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (0-2) allowed six runs on seven hits with two walks (one intentional) over 4 2/3 innings in his second career start.
“Lot of strikes, kid is learning,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He doesn’t have a lot to fall back on yet. But the stuff was good. He threw a lot of strikes. Got hurt with some two-strike, probably got too much of the plate. But he competes really well. Stuff is good and there’s a lot of upside there.”
Boston jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning. Devers led off with a homer. O’Neill singled and Dominic Smith walked before David Hamilton’s double scored O’Neill. Hamilton scored on a sacrifice fly by Reese McGuire.
“After a tough second, I felt like I did a good job of coming back out and throwing strikes in the third and fourth,” Schwellenbach said. “For me, getting on top and throwing strikes and getting to two strikes, I just wasn’t able to finish.”
The Red Sox added three more runs in the fifth. Duran, who entered the game leading MLB in triples, hit his ninth of the season. and scored on Enmanuel Valdez’s double. After a two-out intentional walk to Devers, O’Neill doubled, scoring Devers and chasing Schwellenbach. Ray Kerr entered and gave up an RBI double to Smith.
Devers’ two-run shot in the seventh scored Rob Refsnyder, who opened the inning with a double. Duran added a homer in the eighth off right-hander Jimmy Herget.
Boston right-hander Zack Kelly was called up before the game to take the place of Chris Martin, who was placed on the 15-day injury list with anxiety. Kelly worked the eighth and finished with two strikeouts. Brad Keller pitched the ninth.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: RHP Chris Martin was placed on the 15-day injured list with anxiety.
UP NEXT
The Braves travel to Washington on Thursday when RHP Reynaldo Lopez (3-2, 1.73 ERA) will be opposed by Nationals LHP Mitchell Parker (4-3, 3.60).
The Red Sox travel to Chicago on Thursday when RHP Tanner Houck (5-5, 1.85) will be opposed by White Sox RHP Jake Woodford (0-1, 6.23).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:06:50 GMT -5
Red Sox win: Rafael Devers smashes 2 homers, fired-up Nick Pivetta Ks 9
Published: Jun. 05, 2024, 3:59 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Rafael Devers homered twice, Jarren Duran ripped his MLB-leading ninth triple and Nick Pivetta struck out nine. The Red Sox won 9-0 over the Braves at Fenway Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Boston and Atlanta split the two-game series. Pivetta, Zack Kelly and Brad Keller held the Braves to just one hit.
The Red Sox fly to Chicago tonight to play a four-game series against the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field beginning Thursday.
Devers’ first homer of the game (12th homer this season) went 358 feet to left field to give Boston a 1-0 lead in the second inning. He connected on an 87.6 mph slider from Braves rookie Spencer Schwellenbach.
The Red Sox added two more runs against Schwellenbach in the second. David Hamilton’s RBI double made it 2-0 and Reese McGuire’s sac fly made it 3-0.
Boston put another three runs on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Duran began the rally by tripling.
Both Enmanuel Valdez and Dom Smith hit RBI doubles and Tyler O’Neill added an RBI single.
O’Neill and Smith’s RBI hits came with two outs.
O’Neill was activated from the 10-day injured list (right knee inflammation before the game. He also smashed a single (102.9 mph off the bat) in his first at-bat in the second inning.
Devers hit his second homer of the game (13th this season) in the seventh inning. His two-run blast went 361-feet to left-center field.
Duran homered in the eighth to make it 9-0.
Pivetta allows just one hit
Pivetta pitched 7 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit and two walks while striking out nine.
His only trouble came in the fourth inning when Austin Riley led off with a single and Pivetta walked Ozzie Albies with two outs. But the righty punched out Travis d’Arnaud on a foul tip to end the inning and shouted in excitement as he headed back to the dugout.
He also struck out Marcell Ozuna swinging for the first out after Riley’s single.
Pivetta allowed seven earned runs in 4 innings in a start against the Braves last year.
Westbrook records first MLB hit
Jamie Westbrook, a 28-year-old rookie who spent 11 years in the minors, recorded his first hit in the majors when he singled while pinch hitting in the eighth inning.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:08:48 GMT -5
Why one Red Sox teammate finds Rafael Devers’ hot streak ‘almost annoying’
Published: Jun. 05, 2024, 5:55 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON — Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers continued his hot streak in Boston’s 9-0 rout of the Braves on Wednesday in a way that was somewhat off-putting to one of his teammates.
Devers’ second-inning blast off starter Spencer Schwellenbach and his seventh-inning shot off lefty Ray Kerr both cleared the Green Monster, plating three of Boston’s nine runs on a sunny afternoon at Fenway. The ultra-strong Devers hit his first homer 100.3 mph and connected at 97.4 mph for the second blast. After the game, another left-handed hitter who homered Wednesday scoffed at how little effort each swing seemed to take Devers.
“It’s almost annoying to watch him flick balls over the Monster like it’s nothing,” joked Jarren Duran. “But it’s so awesome to see him smiling running the bases. He’s always smiling, having fun, so it’s always so awesome to see him doing his thing.”
Somewhat quietly, Devers has put together a dominant stretch at the plate for the Sox, hitting .322 with 22 extra-base hits — including 11 homers — and a 1.042 OPS in 38 games since April 24. After homering in six straight games in late May, Devers hit just one blast over his next 13 games, but still hit for average (and slugged a bit) at the plate. With his breakout performance Wednesday, his OPS rose to .956, good for fifth in the American League. His on-base percentage (.380) is seventh while his slugging percentage (.576) is also in the top five.
After insisting that Devers was still a tick off despite his nightly homers in St. Louis and Tampa Bay on a week-long road trip in mid-May, manager Alex Cora now thinks his third baseman is at the top of his game.
“That’s what I meant,” Cora said. “I think people took it the wrong way. He wasn’t locked in. That’s the bottom line. Now, he’s locked in. Staying on fastballs, using the whole field, not chasing pitches, hitting the ball the other way. That’s locked in. Yeah, he went on a hot streak and hit six home runs in six days, which is awesome and we celebrated that. But now, he’s very dangerous.”
Cora has been particularly impressed with how Devers is handling all sorts of pitches during his extended heater. His homer against the rookie Schwellenbach came on an 87.6 mph slider below the zone. The one against Kerr happened when Devers caught up to a 98 mph Kerr fastball. Armed with improved pitch selection (Devers’ walk rate was a career-high 12% entering Wednesday), the slugger is delivering.
“Slider down and in, he stays inside, drives it the other way. Against a lefty, goes the other way,” Cora said. “Now, I can say he’s locked in.”
Devers has gone on prolonged hot streaks at other points in his career but has rarely showed this much consistency with his swing over a 40-game stretch. Cora said there was only one time — back in 2019 — that he thought Devers was as locked in as he has been since mid-April. And Devers, who is usually tremendously hard on himself, regardless of results, conceded that he’s feeling pretty good.
“I’ve been feeling better each day,” he said through interpreter Carlos Villoria Benítez. “I feel like I’m getting to that point where I feel comfortable. The past few games have obviously been very good for me. But I’m getting there. I feel very good at the plate.”
That he’s going the other way with tough pitches is a good sign.
“That’s the type of hitter that I am. I know that if I try to pull the ball, the timing’s going to (be) off. I try to hit the ball up the middle.
Devers’ turnaround — and the beginning of his hot streak on April 24 — coincided with him getting health after battling some early season injuries. The 27-year-old had a balky shoulder during the season-opening road trip and then dealt with a bone bruise in his knee throughout the month. Those ailments cost him 11 of Boston’s first 25 games and he hit just .188 with five extra-base hits in 13 appearances before taking a week-long break beginning April 17.
Shutting Devers down for that portion of the schedule has paid off.
“We knew that if we took care of him, he was gonna be OK,” Cora said. “We took our time. We did. You can’t overreact in April. It’s part of the season. It’s 162. Because he didn’t play three or four games, you cannot panic because he will be there and he will contribute.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:16:44 GMT -5
Red Sox’ Jarren Duran: ‘It’s a lot of running. My legs are kind of tired’
Updated: Jun. 05, 2024, 6:07 p.m.|Published: Jun. 05, 2024, 6:02 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Jarren Duran joked when asked how much he has enjoyed hitting so many triples this season. He ripped his major league-leading ninth triple in the Red Sox’ 9-0 win over the Braves on Wednesday.
“I don’t know about enjoying it. It’s a lot of running. My legs are kind of tired,” Duran said, smiling. “But it’s always nice to get on third for somebody behind me — just to be able to hit a fly ball or a ground ball and I can score for them.”
Duran is on pace for 23.5 triples this season. Hall of Fame center fielder Tris Speaker holds the Red Sox’ single-season record for triples with 22 in 1913.
Duran needs only one more triple to become just the fourth Red Sox player this century with 10 or more triples in a season. He’d join Nomar Garciaparra (13 triples in 2003), Johnny Damon (11 triples in 2002) and Jacoby Ellsbury (10 triples in 2009).
Duran tripled with one out and nobody on base in the fifth inning. It was the beginning of a three-run rally that put Boston ahead 6-0.
“From where we’re sitting, to just see him take off after he rounded first, it was fun,” manager Alex Cora said. “It was fun to watch.”
Duran also homered in the eighth inning, a 399-footer to right field that left his bat at 104.6 mph.
The 27-year-old has six hits in his past four games after recording just two hits in his previous seven games.
“It’s a grind,” Duran said. “We all know baseball has ups and downs. So it’s just staying with my teammates and myself and coaches and just riding the wave and making sure I’m staying positive and trusting myself.”
Cora added, “He’s staying with his approach. That’s the difference between JD now and in the past. In the past, he’ll probably do something different — put his hands somewhere else, choke up or whatever. Now he’s staying with it. Yeah, he made the change during the season with the leg kick but he’s been very consistent with it. And staying inside the ball trying to drive the ball to left-center, that’s his strength — and then stuff like that is going to happen. He’s going to run into a few (home runs).”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:18:20 GMT -5
Mac Cerullo
@maccerullo
Jamie Westbrook gave the ball from his first MLB hit to his mother, who has been battling breast cancer but recently completed treatment and is in remission. Says he couldn’t imagine someone who deserves it more than her.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:23:42 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
The Red Sox’ Jamie Westbrook waited a long time (11 minor league seasons) for his first major league hit
By Alex Speier Globe Staff,Updated June 5, 2024, 18 minutes ago
For Jamie Westbrook, an unforgettable homestand concluded in unforgettable fashion. The 28-year-old veteran of 11 minor league seasons entered Wednesday afternoon’s game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning and lined a full-count curveball from Braves reliever Jimmy Herget to left field for a single.
“It’s indescribable just to see the ball hit the grass,” said Westbrook. “You’re in the minor leagues so long, you’re like, ‘What if I go up there and … ’ You never know how things will happen. So it was nice to get it out of the way for sure and be able to just keep looking forward.”
The Fenway crowd of 33,760 erupted in recognition of the Springfield native’s first major league hit.
“I don’t know if I heard too much. I didn’t know what was going on,” said Westbrook. “But I’m sure there was definitely a roar.”
Among those roaring: Westbrook’s grandfather, who was seeing his grandson play in person for the first time, as well as his mother, father, wife, and infant son. It was Westbrook’s mother, Jen, who received the ball.
“She was battling breast cancer the past five months or so, and she’s in remission now. She just finished radiation last week,” said Westbrook. “So I think she deserves that ball for [many] reasons.”
Westbrook’s first four days in the big leagues have been a whirlwind. He’s working his way through many text messages, while trying to appreciate where he is and the long climb through the minors to get there. In particular, Westbrook — after years of undistinguished minor league trips — was thrilled to be joining the team for its charter flight to Chicago for the weekend series against the White Sox.
“I’m going to sleep good tonight. I might take a bath and use the robe if they have one at the hotel,” said Westbrook. “I’m excited to experience the whole thing with my wife and baby. It’s nice just seeing our finer things in life. We don’t live lavishly. My wife still works, so it’ll be a cool thing.”
Making do without Martin
With Chris Martin placed on the injured list because of anxiety on Wednesday, manager Alex Cora said the Sox will mix and match their way through late-innings matchups in front of closer Kenley Jansen.
Cora suggested righthanders Greg Weissert (2.52 ERA, 27 percent strikeout rate) and Justin Slaten (2.73 ERA, 27 percent) and lefthanders Brennan Bernardino (0.72 ERA, 27 percent) and Cam Booser (4.35 ERA, 29 percent) can run a relay to Jansen.
“Obviously we’ve still got the big guy in the ninth inning, but Wise, Slate, the lefties, we’ll mix and match,” said Cora. “We’re gonna be OK.”
O’Neill activated
As expected, the Sox activated outfielder/DH Tyler O’Neill (right knee) from the injured list. He went 2 for 4, including an RBI single, in the 9-0 win. “He’s ready to go and we need his bat,” said Cora. “The lineup is going to be better.” O’Neill (.243/.347/.500 with 11 homers) will split at-bats in the outfield and at DH with Rob Refsnyder (.337/.409/.510), an approach meant to keep two players with long injury histories healthy and productive … The Sox are likely to have a bullpen day on Sunday in order to push back Kutter Crawford’s next start to Tuesday — meaning six days of rest instead of four. Crawford is 0-4 with a 6.43 ERA in his last five starts. “It’s smart to take care of Kutter,” said Cora … Prospect Nick Yorke was promoted from Double A Portland to Triple A Worcester. The 22-year-old hit .251/.325/.366 for the Sea Dogs this year … Sea Dogs catcher Kyle Teel was named Eastern League Player of the Month for May after hitting .357/.443/.560 … Kristian Campbell, recently promoted from High-A Greenville to Portland, was named the South Atlantic League Player of the Month for May, during which he hit .371/.467/.663.
Casas ramping up
First baseman Triston Casas (torn rib cartilage), during an in-game interview on NESN, said he expects to start swinging a bat at the end of this week. “Hopefully showtime around July 1st,” Casas said … A visit with a specialist confirmed that outfielder Wilyer Abreu has a sprained right ankle and did not suffer any structural damage. “It’s kind of to tolerance in terms of the timeline here and hopefully he’ll be back soon, but sprained ankles can be finicky,” said chief baseball officer Craig Breslow … An MRI determined that second baseman Vaughn Grissom’s right hamstring strain is mild. Still, given that he was sidelined this year for roughly two months by a left hamstring strain, the Sox are taking stock of whether there’s an underlying strength and conditioning issue to address … DH Masataka Yoshida is slated to hit off a Trajekt machine on Thursday in advance of a rehab assignment this weekend … Patriots linebacker Josh Uche threw out the first pitch … Most of the Red Sox wore Celtics gear for the flight to Chicago to honor their sporting neighbors as they pursue their 18th NBA title. Jansen — a diehard Lakers fan — was a conscientious objector.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 5, 2024 17:47:26 GMT -5
Happy to be surfing the games tonight
tuned into Dodgers vs Pitt right now
Paul Skenes on the mound for the Pirates....
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