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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:10:09 GMT -5
Jeimer Candelario homers twice, Andrew Abbott strikes out 10 as Reds beat Red Sox 5-2 AP
CINCINNATI (AP) Jeimer Candelario homered twice, Andrew Abbott struck out a season-high 10 and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Boston Red Sox 5-2 in the opener of an interleague series on a Friday night.
Candelario hit solo homers off Kutter Crawford (3-7) in the first and third innings. Jonathan India had solo shot off the Red Sox starter in the second, and the Reds scored two more on a throwing error by reliever Cam Booser in the seventh to halt Boston's five-game winning streak.
Candelario is hitting .338 in June and and pushed his season home run total to a team-high 14.
“He's done it before in big spots. He's done it in important situations, all that,” Reds manager David Bell said. “He knew it was just a matter of time.”
Abbott (6-6) allowed two runs - solo homers by Jarren Duran and Connor Wong - and four hits in 5 2/3 innings. He gave up a single to Romy Gonzalez to start the sixth and then fanned Tyler O'Neill and Rafael Devers before giving way to Fernando Cruz, who struck out Wong to end the inning.
Sam Moll and Nick Martinez followed, each with a scoreless innings, and Alexis Diaz pitched the ninth for this 17th save.
“I was able to get into the strike zone on all counts,” the 24-year-old Abbott said. “I was able to win the race with two strikes, like win the 1-1 counts. I was able to do some things that in some games this year I haven't been able to do.”
The Reds were holding onto a 3-2 lead in the seventh when they took advantage of two Red Sox errors. The first, a wild throw on a grounder to second, put Santiago Espinal on first base.
He advanced to third on a double by Luke Maile, which chased Crawford. An errant throw home by Booser on a surprise TJ Friedl bunt allowed both runners to score.
“Honestly, he put down a pretty good (bunt),” said Wong, the catcher. "He killed it. (Booser) had to make a really tough play, and it ended up going over my head. The trail runner was able to come around and score. Hindsight is 20-20, right? It was do or die. It was a great effort. We didn’t execute.”
Crawford allowed five runs and five hits over 6 1/3 innings.
The homers by Duran and Wong extended their respective hitting streaks to 11 games, a career high for both.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: OF Wilyer Abreu (ankle sprain) is expected to be activated on Saturday. He has been out since June 4.
Reds: C Tyler Stephenson is day to day with an undisclosed injury, leading to C Austin Wynns being promoted from Triple-A Louisville. OF Jacob Hurtubise, who garnered attention as only the second West Point graduate to play in the major leagues and one of the first athletes to be granted a delay in military service to play professional sports, was sent down. The 26-year-old was hitting .185 in 29 games with Reds.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox send right-hander Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.88 ERA) to the mound to face Reds right-hander Frankie Montas (3-5, 4.62) as the series continues on Saturday night.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:20:11 GMT -5
3-error inning sinks Red Sox as defensive struggles continue 1:28 AM ADT
Mike Petraglia
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CINCINNATI -- Bad defense finally caught up with the Red Sox on Friday night.
The Red Sox fell behind early in a home run derby, but really they lost Friday’s game late on small ball and a breakdown of fundamentals as they fell to the Reds, 5-2, in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
The defense that ranks last in MLB in fielding percentage (.979), errors (57) and unearned runs allowed (48) committed three errors in the bottom of the seventh, as the Reds took advantage to score two unearned insurance runs on the way to just their third win in 10 regular-season tries against the Red Sox in Cincinnati.
Boston fell to 40-36, but is still the first MLB team to win at least 40 of their first 76 games despite making 50 or more errors and allowing at least 40 unearned runs since the 2004 team that managed to right the ship in August and September and shock the world in October.
The Red Sox, winners of eight of their last 10, had their five-game win streak snapped.
The crowd of 37,146 was treated to five solo home runs in the first three innings, before Cincinnati took advantage of TJ Friedl’s sacrifice squeeze bunt that scored both Santiago Espinal and the lumbering Luke Maile from second base.
Cam Booser came on in relief of starter Kutter Crawford, and it was Booser who tried to shovel the ball to catcher Connor Wong. But the ball sailed past Wong and allowed Maile to score for critical insurance and push Cincinnati’s lead to 5-2.
But that’s not what manager Alex Cora or Wong pointed to as much as giving Cincinnati five outs in the seventh inning, as second baseman Enmanuel Valdez allowed leadoff batter Espinal to reach on a throwing error to open the floodgates.
Rafael Devers committed another error in the inning that did not result in a run, but still Crawford (3-7) was charged with five runs (three earned) over his 6 1/3 innings.
“It was an interesting outing for Kutter, right? The homers and the traffic early on, and then after that, he was dialed in and we didn't make a play,” Cora said. “The squeeze is the squeeze, but we opened the door for them and they scored two there. We felt like where we were in the lineup and at-bats wise where we were, we were going to be OK later in the game, but it just didn't happen.”
Jeimer Candelario got the Reds off to a head start against Crawford, who struck out seven and walked two. The designated hitter returned to the starting lineup after a right knee injury on Tuesday in Pittsburgh and belted his 13th homer on a 92 mph four-seamer from Crawford at the knees.
Wong answered in the top of the second when he belted an 80 mph Andrew Abbott curveball to the seats in left for his sixth of the season, extending his hitting streak to 11 games in the process.
Crawford then left a 78 mph sweeper over the middle of the plate to Jonathan India for a first-pitch homer to the seats in left.
The Red Sox tied it up once again when Jarren Durran obliterated an Abbott changeup 401 feet to the seats in right.
Duran became just the fourth Red Sox batter with at least seven homers, 10 triples and 21 doubles in the first 76 games, and the first since Nomar Garciaparra in 2003. Babe Ruth (1918) and Buck Freeman (1903) also turned the trick.
Candelario’s second homer of the night gave Cincinnati its third one-run lead, 3-2, leading off the third. All three Cincinnati homers came on first-pitch swings against Crawford.
“It was kind of like an emotional roller coaster,” Crawford said. “Obviously, gave up the three long balls and a couple of walks in there in that second inning. I was kind of able to kind of dial it in after that third inning and go 6 1/3 [innings].”
The second Candelario homer got the pitcher focused and he retired 11 of his next 12 batters.
“Candelario hitting that ball [410], it’s kind of a punch in the mouth,” Crawford said. “Tried getting ahead first pitch and he jumped all over it, didn’t miss it and put a good swing on it. They didn’t miss the pitches over the heart of the plate.”
The Red Sox struck out 14 times against Cincinnati’s pitching, including 10 against starter and winner Abbott (6-6).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:21:28 GMT -5
. Injuries & Moves: Abreu set to return on Saturday June 21st, 2024
MLB.com
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LATEST NEWS
June 21: OF Wilyer Abreu likely to be activated Saturday It didn't take Abreu long to find his stroke in his abbreviated Minor League rehab assignment. Playing his second game for Triple-A Worcester, Abreu hammered two solo homers. Manager Alex Cora said ahead of Friday's opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati that Abreu is likely to return on Saturday.
“He's one of our best defenders,” Cora said Friday. “The way he’s played right field on the road, but obviously at home is impactful. So he is one of our best hitters, he controls the strike zone [and] is a good base runner. He is a good player.”
Abreu went on the injured list on June 4 (retroactive to June 3) after spraining his right ankle in a freak accident on the dugout steps. In 53 games this season, Abreu has slashed .272/.344/.485 with six homers and 22 RBIs. He has also stolen seven bases in eight attempts and has played excellent defense in right field.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:23:57 GMT -5
Red Sox lose: 3 errors in 7th sink Boston after Kutter Crawford allows 3 HR
Published: Jun. 21, 2024, 9:40 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
CINCINNATI — Red Sox righty Kutter Crawford allowed only two home runs in his first nine starts this season.
But he has allowed 11 homers in his past seven starts, including three solo blasts in the Red Sox’ 5-2 loss to the Reds on Friday here at Great American Ball Park.
Crawford has given up at least one homer in seven straight starts, including multiple homers in each of his past three starts.
Despite his trouble with long balls, Crawford pitched into the seventh inning with Boston down just one run, 3-2. Then three errors in the seventh led to two runs for the Reds.
Second baseman Enmanuel Valdez couldn’t make a clean throw to first base on Santiago Espinal’s grounder to begin the frame. Crawford then retired Will Benson on a flyout. But Luke Maile’s double put two runners in scoring position and knocked Crawford out of the game.
Cam Booser replaced Crawford. TJ Friedl bunted on the first pitch Booser threw. Booser fielded the 11-foot bunt. He tried to flip the ball home using his glove but it sailed over catcher Connor Wong’s head. That plated both Espinal and Maile.
Rafael Devers also made a throwing error during the seventh.
Sox offense struggles
Boston entered ranked first in the majors in both batting average (.294) and on-base percentage (.369) during June. It entered second in steals (29), fifth in slugging percentage (.473) and third in OPS (.842).
But the Sox managed just two hits.
Crawford struggles with homers
Jeimer Candelario’s 373-foot solo homer to right field in the first inning put Cincinnati ahead 1-0. He connected on a 91.4 mph fastball from Crawford. It left his bat at 107.6 mph.
Crawford allowed a 370-foot solo homer to Jonathan India in the second inning. India connected on a 79.2 mph sweeper and sent it to left field to put the Reds back ahead 2-1 after Boston had tied it in the top half of the inning.
Candelario went deep again in the third inning. He sent a Crawford 90.8 mph fastball 410 feet to right field, putting Cincinnati ahead 3-2 after Boston had tied it in the top half.
Wong homers
Connor Wong’s 375-foot solo homer to left-center field in the second inning tied the game 1-1. Wong connected on an 80 mph curveball from Reds left-handed starter Andrew Abbott who has been better against right-handed hitters this season.
Duran also goes deep
Jarren Duran tied it 2-2 with a 401-foot homer to right field. Duran connected on an 84.1 mph changeup from Abbott.
Duran’s homer was his first against a left-handed pitcher this season. It was Duran’s 11 extra-base hit (four homers, five doubles, two triples) in 18 games in June.
Saturday’s game
The Red Sox and Reds will play the second game of their three-game series Saturday at 4:10 p.m. Righty Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.88 ERA) will start for Boston opposite Cincy righty Frankie Montas (3-5, 4.62 ERA)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:29:26 GMT -5
Why Red Sox’ Alex Cora sending out Kutter Crawford in 7th was easy decision
Published: Jun. 21, 2024, 11:11 p.m.
By
Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
CINCINNATI — Manager Alex Cora described Kutter Crawford’s start as “interesting.” Crawford himself described it as “an emotional roller coaster.”
“The homers and the traffic early on and then after that, he was dialed in,” Cora said.
Crawford allowed a solo homer in each of the first three innings. He then settled in and pitched into the seventh inning but the Red Sox lost 5-2 to the Reds here at Great American Ball Park on Friday.
“We were hanging in there. We had a bad inning defensively (in the seventh) and that was it,” Cora said.
For Cora, it was an easy decision to send Crawford back out for the seventh not only because the righty had retired 10 straight batters at that point and had thrown only 77 pitches. Cora also had Sunday in mind when Boston is expected to string together a bullpen game instead of using a starter. That’s the case after Boston optioned starter Cooper Criswell to Triple-A Worcester earlier this week.
“Especially understanding what’s going on Sunday,” Cora said. “Coming from the off day (Thursday), we should be OK Saturday and Sunday. His stuff was really good at the end. We just didn’t make a play.”
Asked if he definitely will go with a bullpen game Sunday, Cora replied, “Kind of. Most likely.”
Crawford appreciated Cora sending him back for the seventh.
“It means a lot for him to run me out there in that situation,” Crawford said. “Obviously it didn’t go as we planned but him sending me out there, it shows he’s got some trust in me and I appreciate that a lot.”
Crawford allowed five runs (three earned runs), five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 6 ⅓ innings.
Boston made three errors in the seventh and the Reds scored two runs.
Second baseman Enmanuel Valdez couldn’t make a clean throw to first base on Santiago Espinal’s grounder to begin the inning. Crawford then retired Will Benson on a flyout. But Luke Maile’s double put two runners in scoring position and knocked Crawford out of the game.
Cam Booser replaced Crawford. TJ Friedl put down a squeeze bunt on the first pitch Booser threw. Booser fielded the 11-foot bunt. He tried to flip the ball home using his glove but it sailed over catcher Connor Wong’s head. That plated both Espinal and Maile.
“We don’t make a play, the squeeze is the squeeze,” Cora said. “We opened the door for them.”
Two of the three homers Crawford allowed came on the first pitch. Jeimer Candelario hit two homers, including a 410-foot blast in the third inning that made it 3-2 Reds.
“Candelario hitting that ball 450 was kind of a punch in the mouth,” Crawford said. “Trying to get ahead first pitch and he jumped all over it and didn’t miss it. Put a good swing on it. At that point, I tried to really lock it in and stay on the attack and try to really execute pitches. And I think I was able to do that from there on.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:33:42 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats Including the playoffs, Dalbec is hitting .193 in his last 511 major league plate appearances, with a 38% strikeout rate.
In 2023-24, he's K'd in 71 of 146 MLB plate appearances, 49%.
OPS by year: 959, 792, 652, 570, 410 10:04 PM · Jun 21, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:35:16 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats Tonight is the first game in his major league career that Crawford did not average at least a 92 mph fastball. It was also his career low in cutter velocity. Both Candelario homers came on 91 mph fastballs. 10:07 PM · Jun 21, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:40:01 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe Looks like the move tomorrow will be optioning Dalbec. And Sunday will be a bullpen game, not a promotion from AAA 11:29 PM · Jun 21, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:43:25 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Wilyer Abreu set to return to Red Sox roster from injured list By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 21, 2024, 11:42 p.m.
CINCINNATI — The Red Sox are about to get one of their better players back on the roster.
Wilyer Abreu rejoined the team Friday and is expected to be activated Saturday. The 25-year-old outfielder had an .829 OPS over 53 games and was outstanding defensively before he went on the injured list June 4 with a sprained right ankle.
Abreu was 3 for 12 with two home runs and a walk during a three-game rehabilitation assignment with Triple A Worcester.
“It’s been a few weeks but I’m happy to be back,” Abreu said. “I feel very good at the plate. Hopefully it doesn’t take long to get back to the form I was before the injury.”
Abreu will join Jarren Duran, Tyler O’Neill, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Rob Refsnyder in what will be a crowded outfield. Utility player Romy Gonzalez is part of that mix, too.
Masataka Yoshida is not a factor given that he has played only one inning defensively all season.
Manager Alex Cora doesn’t see the numbers as a problem.
“That’s good, a deeper ball club,” Cora said. “We’ll have options late in games and we can take care of guys.”
Duran, Rafaela, and O’Neill were the configuration against the Reds for Friday night’s 5-2 loss. Refsnyder is dealing with a sore right knee, so playing time won’t be an issue for now.
Cora said Gonzalez can play first base, so the move to bring back Abreu will likely be to option Bobby Dalbec back to Worcester. Dalbec was 0 for 3 on Friday and met with Cora after the game.
Abreu was one of the first players to arrive at the clubhouse ahead of the series opener. He’s excited to be back on the varsity.
“I was focused on having good at-bats and getting my timing back,” he said. “[The Sox] are playing very good baseball right now and it was very fun to watch. It’s nice to be back here.”
Steamy times in Ohio
“Hydration!” was written on the clubhouse message board in English, Spanish, and Japanese. It was 94 degrees when the Sox took batting practice and 91 at first pitch.
There’s an air quality alert through Sunday and a heat advisory.
With the team having had a day off Thursday, Cora isn’t too concerned. But he did acknowledge that his plans to catch Connor Wong for all three games could change.
“I can play all three,” Wong said. “I changed my jersey halfway through, that was it.”
The players didn’t seem to mind.
“Hot is 100 times better than cold,” reliever Justin Slaten said. “I’d much rather have weather like this.”
Despite the weather, Cora got in his daily run Friday. He blamed a good dinner Thursday night for going 3 miles instead of the usual 4. Stop, thief
Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz leads the majors with 37 stolen bases, 11 more than second-place Brice Turang of the Brewers had entering Friday. Cincinnati leads the majors with 107 steals.
The Sox have run a few teams ragged in recent weeks. Now they have to defend against it.
“If we throw the ball to the right bases, we’re going to be fine,” Cora said. “They’re a very aggressive team but there’s a lot of outs out there. First things first, keep him off base.
“You’ve just got to be patient. You cannot get caught up in throwing to the wrong base or trying to get him out when you can’t. You’ve got to be disciplined. Hopefully he doesn’t steal first.”
Friday was the first time De La Cruz faced the Sox. He was 0 for 3 with a walk and didn’t attempt any steals. Just in case
Do the Red Sox have an emergency catcher? Ask catching coach Jason Varitek, Cora suggested. “Good question,” the captain said. “Maybe [Dalbec]. He’s tall. He’d be good with high fastballs.” Varitek also mentioned that Yoshida caught in high school. Let’s assume he was joking about both players. Cora did mention Gonzalez as an option … Nick Pivetta is the scheduled starter Saturday. He had a 3.04 ERA in his first five starts. It’s 4.73 in five starts since. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA in seven career appearances against the Reds. Since his trade to the Red Sox in 2020, he’s faced Cincinnati twice, throwing two innings of scoreless relief last season at Fenway Park … The Reds called up well-traveled backup catcher Austin Wynns from Triple A Louisville and optioned outfielder Jacob Hurtubise. Outfielder Conner Caple was designated for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Wynns … There was a moment of silence in memory of Willie Mays before the game.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 5:53:05 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox vs. Cincinnati Reds June 22, 2024 Author: Chris King
A pair of teams looking to gain ground in their respective playoff pictures take the field in the land of Skyline chili as an interleague series continues. The Boston Red Sox are on the road as they play the middle game of a three-game set with the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday afternoon. Boston swept the Blue Jays in their last series, capping the series with a 7-3 win on the road Wednesday night. Cincinnati dropped the rubber game of their three-game set with the Pirates, falling 1-0 on the road in their previous game Wednesday afternoon. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the opening game of the series at the Great American Ball Park Friday evening.
Boston Red Sox Looking to Stay Hot Boston won their fifth straight and their seventh in the last eight games as they swept the Blue Jays on the road with Wednesday’s triumph. The Red Sox entered Friday 40-35 on the season and stood third in the AL East, 10 games behind the Yankees for the top spot. They stood one game behind the Twins for the final wild card spot in the American League. On Wednesday, Boston got two hits each from Jarren Duran (run, two RBI), David Hamilton (RBI) and Enmanuel Valdez (three runs, RBI) as part of a 10-hit attack. Valdez (his sixth) and Duran (his sixth) each homered in the victory. Brayan Bello (7-4) earned the win as he threw six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.
Nick Pivetta takes the hill for his 11th start of the season for the Red Sox in this contest. He comes in 4-4 with a 3.88 ERA, a 1.125 WHIP, 14 walks and 59 strikeouts over 53.1 innings of work this season. Pivetta earned the win in his last start, which came Monday on the road against the Blue Jays. He threw seven innings, allowing three runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts in a 7-3 Boston victory. In his last three starts, Pivetta is 2-0 with a 3.50 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, seven walks and 17 strikeouts over 18 innings of work. Pivetta makes his eighth career appearance and fourth start against the Reds in this contest. He is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA, a 0.811 WHIP, three walks and 30 strikeouts over 24.2 innings of work against them. Pivetta is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, three walks and 13 strikeouts over 6.2 innings in three career appearances, one start, at the Great American Ball Park.
Cincinnati Reds Battling in Crowded NL Playoff Field Cincinnati lost for the fourth time in five games as they were blanked in the finale of their three-game road set against the Pirates. The Reds entered Friday 35-39 and sat in the basement of the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the Brewers for the top spot. They were 1.5 games behind the Padres and Diamondbacks, who were tied for the final wild-card spot in the National League. On Wednesday, Cincinnati was limited to two hits in the game and they were zero for four with runners in scoring position. Hunter Greene threw 6.1 shutout innings, allowing two hits with no walks and nine strikeouts, but didn’t factor in the decision. Nick Martinez (2-5) took the loss in relief, allowing one run on one hit with no walks and one strikeout in two-thirds of an inning of work.
Frankie Montas is on the bump for his 14th start of the season for the Reds in this contest. He comes in 3-5 with a 4.62 ERA, a 1.392 WHIP, 26 walks and 49 strikeouts over 60.2 innings of work this year. Montas didn’t factor in the decision in his last start, which came against the Brewers on the road Sunday. He threw five innings, allowing three runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts in a game the Reds dropped 5-4. In his last three starts, Montas is 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.35 WHIP, eight walks and 16 strikeouts over 13.1 innings of work. Montas makes his seventh career appearance and fifth start against the Red Sox in this contest. He is 0-2 with a 2.19 ERA, a 1.46 WHIP, nine walks and 24 strikeouts over 24.2 innings of work against them. Montas is 1-4 with a 4.35 ERA, a 1.387 WHIP, nine walks and 25 strikeouts over 31 innings in seven career starts at the Great American Ball Park.
Red Sox at Reds Saturday, at 4:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy It's expected to be 95° F with a 5% chance of precipitation and 7 MPH wind blowing right to left in Cincinnati at 4:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 7:52:24 GMT -5
Red Sox hope to add Wilyer Abreu to lineup vs. Reds FLM
The Boston Red Sox could have outfielder Wilyer Abreu in the lineup Saturday when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the second game of a three-game series.
Abreu has been on the 10-day injured list since June 4 with a sprained right ankle, but he was with the team Friday and Boston manager Alex Cora said Abreu likely will be activated before Saturday's contest.
"He's probably going to be active," Cora said before Cincinnati's 5-2 victory over Boston on Friday night.
Abreu, who turns 25 on Monday, is being mentioned as an American League Rookie of the Year candidate. He's batting .272 with a .344 on-base percentage and a .485 slugging percentage through 53 games this season (169 at-bats). He has six homers, 14 doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, seven steals and 19 walks.
Abreu went 3-for-12 with two home runs, three runs, two RBIs, one walk and three strikeouts in three games with Triple-A Worcester before he joined the Red Sox on Friday.
"I feel very good at the plate," Abreu said Friday through a translator. "Hopefully it doesn't take long to get back to the form I was before the injury. So I hope everything goes well."
Everything went well for Cincinnati designated hitter Jeimer Candelario during Friday's game. Candelario hit two solo home runs and leads the Reds with 14 long balls on the season.
"Like I always said, I want to be ready for the mistakes a pitcher makes," Candelario said. "I want to attack the strike zone. For me right now it's keep getting my reps the right way. ... Hopefully I can continue doing this -- what we're doing right now -- and help the team win for sure.
"I'm going to put myself in a good position to drive the ball up (the) opposite way into gaps and that's what happened today."
Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.88 ERA) is listed as Boston's probable starter for Saturday's game. Pivetta is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts) against the Reds. He has 30 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings.
Fellow right-hander Frankie Montas (3-5, 4.62) is Cincinnati's scheduled starter. Montas has an 0-2 record and a 2.19 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Red Sox. He's allowed 27 hits in 24 2/3 innings.
Boston struck out 14 times during Friday's loss, which is one strikeout shy of the team-high in a game this season. Catcher Connor Wong and outfielder Jarren Duran are two Boston players who didn't struggle at the plate Friday, however. Both hit a solo home run in the loss, and each will carry an 11-game hitting streak into Saturday's matchup.
Wong is batting .335 with six home runs and 26 RBIs in 55 games this season, after hitting .235 in 126 games last season.
"Night and day compared to last year," Cora said. "Night and day. ... I think overall his at-bats are solid. He's executing the plan. He made some adjustments mechanically, but I think it's about execution and he's been great."
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 8:58:01 GMT -5
Game 77: Red Sox at Reds lineups and notesBy Emma Healy Globe Staff,Updated June 22, 2024, 23 minutes ago The Red Sox could have outfielder Wilyer Abreu in the lineup Saturday when they visit the Cincinnati Reds for the second game of a three-game series. Abreu has been on the 10-day injured list since June 4 with a sprained right ankle, but he was with the team Friday, and Boston manager Alex Cora said Abreu likely will be activated before Saturday’s contest. Boston dropped the first game of the series, 5-2, in Cincinnati on Friday. It was the end of a five-game win streak for the Sox, who were held to six hits, struck out 14 times and committed three errors. They’ll be back at it with righthander Nick Pivetta on the mound. For the Reds, it’ll be fellow righty Frankie Montas. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. on NESN. Let’s get into it. Lineups RED SOX (40-36): Jarren Duran (L) LF Wilyer Abreu (L) RF Connor Wong (R) C Rafael Devers (L) 3B Enmanuel Valdez (L) 2B Masataka Yoshida (L) DH Dominic Smith (L) 1B David Hamilton (L) SS Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (4-4, 3.88 ERA) REDS (36-39): TJ Friedl (L) CF Elly De La Cruz (S) SS Jeimer Candelario (S) 3B Spencer Steer (R) 1B Jake Fraley (L) RF Jonathan India (R) 2B Nick Martini (L) DH Luke Maile (R) C Will Benson (L) LF Pitching: RHP Frankie Montas (3-5, 4.62 ERA) Time: 4:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Montas: Bobby Dalbec 1-2, Rafael Devers 5-11, Jarren Duran 1-4, Reese McGuire 1-1, Tyler O’Neill 0-2 Reds vs. Pivetta: Will Benson 0-1, Jeimer Candelario 0-3, Santiago Espinal 3-12, Jonathan India 0-1, Austin Wynns 1-2 Stat of the day: Boston struck out 14 times during Friday’s loss, which is one strikeout shy of the team-high in a game this season. Notes: Abreu is batting .272 with a .344 on-base percentage and a .485 slugging percentage through 53 games this season (169 at-bats). He has six homers, 14 doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, seven steals, and 19 walks. ... Abreu went 3-for-12 with two home runs, three runs, two RBIs, one walk, and three strikeouts in three games with Triple-A Worcester before he joined the Red Sox on Friday. ... Everything went well for Cincinnati designated hitter Jeimer Candelario during Friday’s game. Candelario hit two solo home runs and leads the Reds with 14 long balls on the season. ... Pivetta is 1-1 with a 2.92 ERA in seven career appearances (three starts) against the Reds. He has 30 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings. ... Montas has an 0-2 record and a 2.19 ERA in six games (four starts) against the Red Sox. He’s allowed 27 hits in 24 2/3 innings. ... Catcher Connor Wong and outfielder Jarren Duran are two Boston players who didn’t struggle at the plate Friday. Both hit a solo home run in the loss, and each will carry an 11-game hitting streak into Saturday’s matchup. Song of the Day: Kajagoogoo - Too Shy www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkpG4XApJ28
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 13:16:37 GMT -5
Red Sox make roster moves: Bobby Dalbec optioned to Worcester Published: Jun. 22, 2024, 1:04 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com CINCINNATI — The Red Sox activated Wilyer Abreu from the 10-day injured list Saturday and optioned Bobby Dalbec to Triple-A Worcester.
Abreu had been on the injured list since June 4 with a sprained right ankle.
The 24-year-old has emerged as an AL Rookie of the Year candidate. He is batting .272 with a .344 on-base percentage, .485 slugging percentage, .829 OPS, six homers, 14 doubles, two triples, 22 RBIs, 26 runs, seven steals, 19 walks and 49 strikeouts in 53 games (189 plate appearances).
He went 3-for-12 with two homers, three runs, two RBIs, one walk and three strikeouts in three rehab games for Worcester.
“I feel very good at the plate,” Abreu said Friday here at Great American Ball Park. “Hopefully it doesn’t take long to get back to the form I was before the injury. So I hope everything goes well.”
Dalbec has batted .198 with a .269 on-base percentage, .330 slugging percentage, .599 OPS and 37.9% strikeout percentage in 175 games (499 plate appearances) for Boston dating back to the beginning of the 2022 season.
He is 11-for-83 (.133) with a 46.2% strikeout percentage in 37 games this season. He has struck out in 48.6% of his 146 plate appearances dating back to the beginning of last season.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 15:27:47 GMT -5
Spencer Steer's eyes lit up when he saw that fat FB that 2 run tater did not take long to go over the fence
2-0 Reds...
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 22, 2024 19:00:56 GMT -5
Rafael Devers drives in the tying run in the eighth inning as the Red Sox edge the Reds 4-3 AP CINCINNATI (AP) Rafael Devers drove in the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and Jarren Duran made a game-saving defensive play in the ninth as the Boston Red Sox rallied to beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on Saturday.
Pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder singled home the tying run before Duran tagged on Devers' fly ball and slid home just ahead of left fielder Stuart Fairchild's throw.
Kenley Jansen retired the Reds in the ninth for his 14th save in 15 chances. He got a huge assist from Duran, who leaped to get his glove above the center field fence to rob Fairchild of a tying home run.
Jansen's save was his 434th, and he moved ahead of Baltimore' Craig Kimbrel into sole possession of fifth on the career list.
Dominic Smith homered in the fifth inning and Connor Wong doubled home another run in the sixth as Boston overcame a rocky start by Nick Pivetta, who allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Spencer Steer hit a two-run homer and Elly De La Cruz had a solo shot for Cincinnati, which won the first game of the interleague series 5-2 on Friday night.
The Reds ran themselves out of two more runs. TJ Friedl was thrown out at the plate trying to score on grounder to third base in the fifth inning, and Jake Fraley was caught trying to come home on a dribbler fielded by Wong out in the front of the plate.
Frankie Montas had a solid outing for the Reds, allowing two runs and five hits through six innings with four strikeouts and a walk. Justin Wilson (1-1) was charged with the two Boston runs in the eighth.
Zack Kelly (2-1) got the final out in the seventh inning and picked up the win.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Red Sox: OF Wilyer Abreu was back in the lineup for the first time since June 2. The 24-year-old rookie was sidelined with a right ankle sprain. He had two hits and scored on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Reds Left Nick Lodolo is the scheduled starter in the series finale Sunday.
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