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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 4:34:50 GMT -5
After successful road trip, Red Sox begin series vs. Jays FLM
The Boston Red Sox look to get the best of an American League East rival for the second straight week, beginning another three-game series against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays, who will head to Fenway Park for the first time this season on Monday.
It has been a winning stretch for Boston, which took series from the Philadelphia Phillies and the New York Yankees on their last homestand before going 5-1 on a trip through Toronto and Cincinnati.
The Red Sox are 9-2 over their past 11 games after heading home following a 7-4 win over the Reds on Sunday, moving them into the third American League wild-card position.
Boston manager Alex Cora sees a talented team from top to bottom that is "playing with joy."
"We went from a roster that we had some question marks early on in the season and now it feels like it's one of the best rosters position-player-wise that we've had in a while," Cora said. "From one to 13, we're not afraid to play them. We're in a good spot right now."
Jarren Duran finished a highlight-filled series with a 3-for-5 performance Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He also stole his 20th base.
"He works so hard and he now understands what he needs to do to play every day, to keep his energy the way he should," Cora said.
Of course, starting pitching has also been a major strength. Tanner Houck (7-5, 2.14 ERA) is slated to pitch on Monday.
Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and struck out five in 5 2/3 innings Tuesday at Toronto. The right-hander had a streak of five straight outings of at least six innings snapped, but the Red Sox were eventual 4-3 winners en route to the series sweep.
Houck, who is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in six career outings (five starts) against Toronto, has still not allowed more than three earned runs in 12 straight starts dating to April 12.
"I've always known I can do better," Houck said recently. "I've always known that I had the ability to do it and it was just kind of putting it together."
The Blue Jays are trending in the opposite direction, having lost six straight and fallen to seven games under .500 after being swept in Cleveland.
On top of the extended skid, Orelvis Martinez -- the organization's star prospect who recorded his first major league hit Friday -- received an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.
"We're in a tough stretch right now," Toronto manager John Schneider said.
The Blue Jays rallied late only to leave two runners on base in the ninth on Sunday.
Still, Spencer Horwitz hit his first two home runs of the season and scored three times. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also had two hits, including a long ball of his own.
"It was kind of the story of the season -- not hitting as many as we can and giving up more than we should," Schneider said.
Replacing Martinez, Steward Berroa was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and made a late-game appearance in center field. It was his MLB debut after climbing the ladder since 2017.
"I think a lot of players in the minor leagues have that thought sometimes, where you don't think that the dream is going to come," Berroa said. "But, in the end, I'm just a warrior. I like to be in tough moments. ... I just keep going."
The Blue Jays have not announced starting pitchers for the series in Boston.
--Field Level Media
Blue Jays at Red Sox Monday, at 7:10 PM EST Clear It's expected to be 75° F with a 6% chance of precipitation and 10 MPH wind blowing left to right in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 4:40:48 GMT -5
Monday, 7pm, Bassitt 6-6/ 3.52 vs Houck 7-5/ 2.14
Tuesday, 7pm, Gausman 5-6/ 4.24 vs Bello 7-4/ 4.83
Wednesday, 7pm, Rodriguez 0-2/ 5.94 vs 3-7/ 3.59
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 5:17:40 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Wardrobe change: Red Sox will dress for success for some return flights home By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated June 23, 2024, 8:00 p.m.
CINCINNATI — Look sharp, play sharp?
The resurgent Red Sox have instituted a dress code for some road trips, requiring the players, coaches, and staffers to wear a sports coat when traveling back to Boston after a day game.
“Teaching kids to become big leaguers,” manager Alex Cora said Sunday before a 7-4 victory against the Reds.
The dress code started in May after Cora talked to some of the veteran players.
“We came to the conclusion that on certain days we’re going to wear sport coats,” Cora said. “It’s been good. They’re doing a good job.”
There was a time when teams mandated coats, ties, and dress shoes on the road. That changed over the years to a point where many teams required only long pants and collared shirts, if that.
As a young player with the Dodgers, Cora can remember a dress code for coming to the park in spring training and having to wear a jacket traveling in the Double A Texas League.
“The Dodger Way, man,” he said. “It’s a lot different [now], obviously. Fashion is expressed in a different way. Looking around, looking at some trends, sport coats are back and a lot of teams are going back to that.”
It also promotes team chemistry as some of the older (and wealthier_ Sox players have purchased travel outfits for rookies. A dress code also reinforces that there is something special about being a major leaguer.
“Honestly, we were getting sloppy,” Cora said. “A lot of sweat pants on the road. We had to tighten it up. And they do like it.”
Teams also have theme days. The Sox will wear beach attire for their trip to Miami on July 1. When they leave Miami for a series against the Yankees in New York on July 4, the outfits will be red, white, and blue.
“We’re showing good togetherness,” first baseman Dominic Smith said. “This group of guys gets along well.” Unproductive DH sits
Masataka Yoshida was out of the lineup against Cincinnati lefthander Nick Lodolo. But the designated hitter hasn’t been productive against righthanders, either, since coming off the injured list June 11.
Yoshida is 4 of 34 with one extra-base hit and one RBI after returning from a left thumb strain. It has been a series of ground balls and other weak contact.
“I think the at-bats are good. He’s not finishing the at-bats,” Cora said. “I think he’s swinging at strikes. Obviously, the timing is not there. You can tell.”
Yoshida missed 37 games and played in only two minor league games on a rehab assignment.
“We’re good with that because the quality of the at-bats is real,” Cora said.
Since the 2023 All-Star break, Yoshida has hit .246 with a .649 OPS and only seven home runs over 350 at-bats.
Yoshida was signed to a five-year, $90 million deal before the 2023 season. The intent was for him to play left field but he has since become a full-time DH. Mata on move
Bryan Mata will have his rehab assignment transferred to Triple A Worcester this week. He pitched twice at Double A Portland, going five shutout innings.
The righthander has been on the injured list since Feb. 25 with a hamstring strain. That injury has since healed, but he was then sidelined with lat soreness. The 25-year-old has been on the 40-man roster since 2020 but has yet to appear in a major league game. The Sox have burned through all of his minor league options.
Mata can remain on his latest rehab assignment until July 15. At that point, the Red Sox will have to decide how to proceed.
Historic speed
Jarren Duran (20) and David Hamilton (21) are the first Sox teammates with at least 20 steals through 78 games since Chick Stahl (20) and Tommy Dowd (21) in 1901, the first year the franchise existed … The Sox will start Tanner Houck, Brayan Bello, and Kutter Crawford in the series against Toronto that starts Monday night at Fenway Park. Houck faced the Blue Jays on Tuesday in Toronto and allowed three runs over 5⅔ innings in a game the Sox won, 4-3. With the Sox using their relievers for 13⅔ innings the last two games, a long start by Houck would be welcome … Reds manager David Bell was ejected in the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes. He has been tossed 30 times in six seasons. Cora is Mahatma Gandhi by comparison with 14 ejections in his six seasons, one this year … First pitch was delayed by eight minutes because of rain — and the grounds crew accidentally dumping a water-filled tarp on the plate.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 7:16:12 GMT -5
It's time to start looking at this Red Sox team differently By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 5 minutes ago The Red Sox should be buyers at the trade deadline
The narrative for the Red Sox since Opening Day - and even before - has been an easy one for New England sports fans to lean into. They didn't invest. They are looking more at 2025 than 2024. They will try hard but to think this roster, particularly without the likes of Lucas Giolito, Trevor Story and, most recently, Triston Casas, hanging with the big boys is a pipe dream.
And, for most of the past few months, the Sox' record and spot in the standings really did nothing to elicit any significant buy-in.
But as the Celtics' celebration drifts away, and we anxiously await reports on how Drake Maye is performing in 7-on-7's, it's worth taking another look at what exactly these Red Sox represent. ADVERTISING
The Sox are a team which would currently qualify as a postseason participant, sitting just one game out of a the Wild Card's second spot. After taking two of three against the Reds, they are now six game over .500 with the fourth-best run-differential in the American League.
After winning series against a couple of heavyweights - the Phillies and Yankees - at Fenway, Alex Cora's club has used the feel-good six games as a springboard, taking all but one of its six games on the recent road trip.
Then there is the roster.
There are three active players - Rafael Devers, Masa Yoshida and Kenley Jansen - who are making more than $7.5 million this season. And all but three position players are hauling in less than $2 million in 2024. That dynamic has contributed to the perspective and narrative.
But the reality is that it is a roster that currently offers an unexpected sense of security for Cora.
There are five legitimate candidates to make the American League All-Star team, with Jarren Duran, Tanner Houck, Rafael Devers, Connor Wong and Kenley Jansen all worthy of serious consideration.
Also of note: Three Red Sox - David Hamilton, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Wilyer Abreu - have at least entered in the Rookie of the Year odds.
This is also a team that along the way have figured out who they are, a feat even some of the more talented clubs can be struggling with heading into trade deadline season.
While Rob Refsnyder (whose success also represents some more attention) is the only position player in his 30's, the dynamic of the position players all living life relatively in the same stage of life seems to be more of a positive than a negative. They don't know what they don't know, a reality that seems to be embraced on a daily basis.
What they do know is this concoction of skill-sets have found a groove.
In the last two weeks, no team has won as many games as the Red Sox (10). Over that span they have scored the fifth-most runs, managed the second-best batting average, the fifth-best OPS, and, of course, stolen the most bases, going 23 of 27 in attempts.
While the previous bread-and-butter of the team - the starting pitching - has settled into the middle of the MLB pack during the 13-game stretch, the bullpen has picked up the slack. It is a group of relievers who have allowed just three home runs with a 2.58 ERA while going 8-for-8 in save opportunities. Also, just four of the 24 the relief pitchers' inherited runners have scored.
So, where does that leave Craig Breslow leading up to 6 p.m. on July 30 (otherwise known as the trade deadline)?
In terms of what this team will need to fill in the gaps, right now that would be another starting pitcher and a right-handed-hitting middle-infielder/designated hitter. Both of those items would seem to be attainable.
But in this existence, this isn't a no-doubt-about-it, we're-trading-for-Steve Pearce type of situation. The current landscape doesn't offer that luxury. Diving into the trade deadline with Buster Olney
For starters, finding definitive sellers right now isn't easy. Colorado. Miami. The Angels. The White Sox. Oakland. There you have it. And don't think for a moment those teams don't understand they own a significant chunk of leverage.
There is also the question as to how the Red Sox chief decision-makers will define their franchise's existence. It is understood that Breslow won't be sacrificing the foundational minor leaguers for a run this year. It just isn't going to happen. But that doesn't mean moves can't be made. Remember the player the Red Sox traded for Kyle Schwarber? Didn't think so. That would be Aldo Ramirez, who hasn't pitched professionally since 2021.
Another element to keep an eye on is exactly how the Red Sox view their financial commitment heading into the final few months. We know the '30-to-1' Red Sox didn't get a huge investment in the offseason, but this might be their second chance.
When it comes to getting the key players at this trade deadline, it is believed by many that the teams willing to flex their financial might will have the upper-hand. That's both taking on contracts, and paying down on current contracts of players being dealt in order to secure better returns.
Two weeks from now, maybe we are in the same weird middle-ground the last two deadlines presented.
But a big part of guiding a team through this critical time of year is having the ability to read the room. And, even more than 2022 or 2023, it is a group that firmly believes it should be believed in.
The odds of the Red Sox making the postseason are, after all, all the way up to 37 percent.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 11:41:27 GMT -5
Game 79: Blue Jays at Red Sox lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated June 24, 2024, 9:30 a.m. After winning five of six on the road, the Red Sox return to Fenway Park for a six-game homestand, beginning with a three-game series with the Blue Jays. While the Sox have been hot of late and have jumped ahead of Kansas City for the third wild-card spot, the Blue Jays have fallen to last place in the American League East at seven games below .500. They have lost six in a row, following up last week’s sweep at home at the hand of the Red Sox by dropping three at Cleveland. Making matters worse for Toronto, infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games by Major League Baseball on Sunday following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Clomiphene. The announcement came two days after his major league debut. Tanner Houck will get the start in the opener, and the Sox will hope he can go deep after they had to use relievers for 13⅔ innings in the last two games. Sunday’s 7-4 win was a bullpen game to give Houck an extra day of rest, with Zack Kelly making his first start since 2019 and throwing 2⅔ shutout innings. Here is a preview. Lineups BLUE JAYS (35-42): Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) SS Spencer Horwitz (L) 2B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B Justin Turner (R) DH George Springer (R) RF Addison Barger (L) 3B Davis Schneider (R) LF Alejandro Kirk (R) C Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF Pitching: RHP Chris Bassitt (6-6, 3.52 ERA) RED SOX (42-36): Jarren Duran (L) CF David Hamilton (L) 2B Wilyer Abreu (L) RF Rafael Devers (L) 3B Tyler O'Neill (R) LF Masataka Yoshida (L) DH Dominic Smith (L) 1B Reese McGuire (L) C Ceddanne Rafaela (R) SS Pitching: RHP Tanner Houck (7-5, 2.14 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Blue Jays vs. Houck: Addison Barger 1-3, Ernie Clement 1-2, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3-12, Spencer Horwitz 1-2, Danny Jansen 1-2, Kevin Kiermaier 3-6, Isiah Kiner-Falefa 2-7, Alejandro Kirk 0-6, Davis Schneider 1-3, George Springer 0-7, Justin Turner 1-2, Daulton Varsho 2-6 Red Sox vs. Bassitt: Wilyer Abreu 1-2, Rafael Devers 5-11, Jarren Duran 0-7, Reese McGuire 0-6, Tyler O’Neill 1-6, Ceddanne Rafaela 1-2, Rob Refsnyder 1-3, Dominic Smith 1-3, Enmanuel Valdez 0-3, Connor Wong 0-5, Masataka Yoshida 2-10 Stat of the day: After winning seven of their last eight, the Red Sox are six games above .500 for the first time since Sept. 4, 2023, when they were 72-66. Notes: The Red Sox have won four consecutive series and are 4-0-3 in their last seven. … They are 29-13 against teams below .500. … Kenley Jansen is 15-for-16 in save opportunities. He’s recorded six saves in the last 11 games after getting just four in the previous 44 games. … Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and struck out five in 5 ⅔ innings Tuesday in the 4-3 win at Toronto. The righthander has not allowed more than three earned runs in 12 consecutive starts. He is 0-1 with a 4.26 ERA in six career outings (five starts) against the Blue Jays. … Jarren Duran (20) and David Hamilton (21) are the first Sox teammates with at least 20 steals through 78 games since Chick Stahl (20) and Tommy Dowd (21) in 1901. Song of the Day: The Tragically Hip - Get Back Again www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR1N8DoyRU4
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 14:11:37 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier Red Sox roster moves - two pitchers up with the team in need of arms after the bullpen was heavily taxed over the weekend.
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Post by Kimmi on Jun 24, 2024 15:29:53 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier Red Sox roster moves - two pitchers up with the team in need of arms after the bullpen was heavily taxed over the weekend.
I read that first bullet point about Heineman being recalled and my heart sank. I was afraid Wong was injured. Thank goodness he's being placed on Paternity Leave and not the IL, but haven't we talked to these guys about not having their babies midseason? LOL Keep the good times rolling, Red Sox.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 17:10:22 GMT -5
Mac Cerullo @maccerullo Alex Cora says Triston Casas had an MRI on his ribs today to see how things are healing up. The club hasn't gotten the results back but Casas is feeling better.
Cooper Criswell wasn't among the fresh arms called up today, but he could still be in the mix when the club next needs a fifth starter during next week's Miami series.
Would it be him, Josh Winckowski or a bullpen game? "Let's see how it plays out," Cora said.
5:18 PM · Jun 24, 2024
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 17:10:52 GMT -5
Mac Cerullo @maccerullo "I'm feeling good, that's why we got the MRI, because I was feeling good, so we want to make sure everything's perfect before I start letting it rip."
Now updated with quotes from Casas.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 17:12:42 GMT -5
Red Sox 1B Triston Casas undergoes MRI, could ramp up if results clean
By Mac Cerullo | mcerullo@bostonherald.com PUBLISHED: June 24, 2024 at 4:39 p.m. | UPDATED: June 24, 2024 at 5:11 p.m.
Triston Casas is continuing to progress in his recovery from a torn cartilage in his ribcage, and Monday the Red Sox first baseman underwent an MRI to see how the injury is healing.
“He had an MRI today just to see where we’re at,” manager Alex Cora said. “We don’t have the results yet but he says he’s feeling better.”
Casas said they ordered the MRI specifically because he’s feeling so much better, and the goal is to confirm that his injury has healed rather than assume anything and risk a setback.
“I’m feeling good, that’s why we got the MRI, because I was feeling good, so we want to make sure everything’s perfect before I start letting it rip,” Casas said. “Feelings can be deceiving sometimes, you might feel good but you might still be recovering, so that was the need for the MRI.”
Casas will see his doctor Tuesday at 5 p.m., and if the results come back clean the hope is he’ll be able to start ramping up quickly.
“Hopefully a pretty quick progression, I don’t anticipate I’ll need much time,” Casas said. “I’ve been keeping up with everything else, my baseball activities, working out, running, ground balls and stuff, so I feel like it’s going to be a quick transition back to game-time.” Explore these Airbnb alternatives for your next vacation
Casas, who last played April 20 against Pittsburgh, previously said he’s targeting next week’s series in Miami for a return. Casas is from South Florida and attended high school about a half hour’s drive from the Marlins’ loanDepot Park, though he said Monday the MRI’s results will dictate the timetable.
Prior to his injury Casas was enjoying a strong start to his second full season in the big leagues. The 24-year-old was batting .244 with six home runs, 10 RBI and an .857 OPS in 22 games.
Casas’ return would provide a significant boost to the Red Sox lineup, which has already enjoyed significant reinforcements as Masataka Yoshida, Wilyer Abreu and Romy Gonzalez have each returned from the injured list over the past two weeks.
The last remaining injured position player of note who is expected back this season, infielder Vaughn Grissom (right hamstring strain), is also trending towards a return. Cora said Monday that the second baseman is running and feeling better, though he’s still not ready to begin a rehab assignment.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 24, 2024 17:14:16 GMT -5
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Jun 24, 2024 22:28:52 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier Red Sox roster moves - two pitchers up with the team in need of arms after the bullpen was heavily taxed over the weekend.
I read that first bullet point about Heineman being recalled and my heart sank. I was afraid Wong was injured. Thank goodness he's being placed on Paternity Leave and not the IL, but haven't we talked to these guys about not having their babies midseason? LOL Keep the good times rolling, Red Sox. Until just now, I was wondering why Heineman was in the game as catcher. Besides having no idea who he was, I was pretty certain that the RS weren't carrying three catchers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 25, 2024 5:15:33 GMT -5
Devers, Hamilton homer, Red Sox rally from 4-run deficit to outlast Blue Jays 7-6 AP
BOSTON (AP) The Boston Celtics made Fenway Park the latest stop on their post-NBA championship tour.
The Red Sox marked the occasion by coming through with what manager Alex Cora called perhaps their best win of the season.
Jarren Duran drove in Ceddanne Rafaela with a ninth-inning single to help the Red Sox cap a furious rally and beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 on Monday night.
Rafael Devers and David Hamilton both added two-run home runs for Boston, which has won 10 of its last 12 and is a season-high seven games over .500 at 43-36.
“They’re feeling good about themselves. It feels like we can do damage at anytime," Cora said. "We’ll see where it takes us.”
Toronto’s seven-game losing streak is its longest since September 2019.
Kenley Jansen (3-1) pitched a scoreless inning to get the win.
Rafaela chopped a grounder off Toronto reliever Zach Pop (0-2) to Spencer Horwitz to lead off the ninth, but Horwitz had trouble getting the ball out of his glove, allowing Rafaela to reach safely.
Pop balked, allowing Rafaela to advance to second. Duran then singled to right allowing Rafaela to score, sliding past George Springer's throw home.
It was Boston's third walk-off victory and 17th comeback win of the season.
“That was my first walk-off, so have to put it at the top,” Duran said. “We went down and we fought back. We never gave up. ... We just did everything right today and we kept it really, really simple and just kept rolling.”
Toronto appeared to be in control after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a towering three-run home run over the Green Monster and out of Fenway Park during a five-run seventh inning to put the Blue Jays in front 6-2.
The next inning Celtics star Derrick White was shown on the video screen wearing a “Baseball Isn't Boring” T-shirt.
Not long after Toronto starter Chris Bassitt was replaced by Nate Pearson in the eighth, and Pearson gave up a two-run homer to Hamilton that brought Boston within 6-4.
Left-hander Tim Mayza came on for Pearson with two out the inning and yielded a single to Devers. Tyler O'Neill doubled up the middle, moving Devers to third. Rob Refsnyder was then intentionally walked to load the bases.
Romy Gonzalez hit a line drive to left field that scored Devers and O'Neill to tie the game.
Bassitt allowed five hits and two runs over seven innings.
Boston starter Tanner Houck allowed five hits, three runs and struck out over 6 2/3 innings.
“There’s only one chance to have the NBA champions in your clubhouse,” Cora said. “I think it was a good night at Fenway.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: Shortstop Bo Bichette (right calf strain) could be activated as early as Tuesday. The injury sent him to the IL on June 15.
Red Sox: First baseman Triston Casas received another MRI on the rib strain that’s kept him sidelined for the past 57 games. He told reporters he got the additional imaging because he has been feeling good lately. “We want to make sure everything is good before I start letting it rip.” ... C Connor Wong was placed on the paternity list.
CHAMPS VISIT
The Celtics interacted with Red Sox players in the clubhouse before the game and took the field for a pregame ceremony.
Team owners, front office members, coaching staff and players all walked on wearing Red Sox jerseys. Stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were the last to enter, jointly toting the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Tatum, Brown, White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford then all threw out ceremonial first pitches.
UP NEXT
RHP Kevin Gausman (5-6, 4.24 ERA) is set to make his 16th start Tuesday for Toronto. He gave up five runs over 5 2/3 innings in a 7-3 loss to Boston last week. RHP Brayan Bello (7-4, 4.83) gets the nod for the Red Sox. He gave up two runs over six innings to outduel Gausman last week.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 25, 2024 5:34:32 GMT -5
Duran's 1st career walk-off caps furious rally at festive Fenway 1:15 AM ADT Molly Burkhardt
Molly Burkhardt @mollyburkhardt ;
BOSTON -- With members of the 2024 NBA champion Celtics in the house, Fenway Park had a playoff atmosphere before the first pitch was thrown in Monday’s series opener.
Riding a recent stretch in which they’d won seven of their last eight and moved to a season-high six games over .500, the Red Sox held a one-run lead over the Blue Jays, until a rough seventh inning threatened to spoil the night.
But with a cut on the videoboard to the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy in the Celtics’ suite and a couple of back-and-forth switches by each team’s manager, Boston rallied to tie it in the eighth before Jarren Duran notched his first career walk-off to give the Red Sox a 7-6 win.
The atmosphere and dramatics were enough for manager Alex Cora to rank the victory at No. 1 this season. As for where it ranks for the game-winner?
“I mean, that was my first walk-off, so I’d have to put it at the top,” Duran said. “I just think that was a really good team win. We went down, and we fought back. We never gave up and that’s why I’m so proud of this team. We just did everything right today and just kept it really simple.”
His walk-off hit is the latest of many accolades that Duran has added to his resume in just the past few days. Earlier in the game, he extended his hit streak to a career-high 14 games with a fourth-inning single that marked Boston’s first hit off Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt. Over the weekend, Duran and David Hamilton became the first teammates to have 20-plus steals so far this season.
Before driving in the winning run, Duran helped set up the comeback with his speed in the eighth. On what should have been a pop up to Blue Jays third baseman Addison Barger, a miscommunication between Barger and shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa resulted in the speedy Duran on second. Hamilton drove in Duran two pitches later with a no-doubter over the right-field wall.
With left-handed reliever Tim Mayza on the mound, Cora swapped out designated hitter Masataka Yoshida with Rob Refsnyder, who was promptly intentionally walked to load the bases. Cora again pulled a switch, pinch-hitting Romy Gonzalez for Dominic Smith. Blue Jays manager John Schneider made his own counter, bringing in right-hander Zach Pop to take over for Mayza.
Gonzalez responded by hitting Pop’s first pitch to left to score Rafael Devers and Tyler O’Neill and tie the game.
“We hit the ball hard, and like I said before the game: Now you gotta mix and match with us,” Cora said. “When you're gonna bring in the lefty, [that’s] the first time we hit for Masa, and we will do that, with the personnel that we got. Ref is one of the best against lefties. Romy can hit righties, so it was fun.”
In between flashes of Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, Derrick White and Jayson Tatum lifting the NBA Finals trophy on the video board, Boston continued its rally in the ninth. Ceddanne Rafaela reached on a fielding error before advancing to second on a balk and then coming around to score on Duran’s single.
By the time Rafaela scored, Fenway Park was still flush with a rowdy crowd. Despite their home team falling behind in a five-run seventh inning that began with a catcher’s interference and included a 471-foot Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homer, the fans -- and the Celtics -- stuck it out until the end.
“The intensity was awesome,” Duran said. “We went down and honestly didn't feel like they gave up on us, which was awesome. So it definitely helps when you’ve got the fans behind you, rooting for you, cheering for you, screaming. … And I'm thankful for these fans, man. They're amazing.”
After he hit Pop’s 95 mph sinker through the gap to right, Duran had first-base coach Andrew Fox in his ear yelling at him to round for second. When it became apparent that Rafaela had scored and ended the game, one of Duran’s first thoughts was, “Is that a double?”
“All jokes aside, man. It was a huge team win,” Duran said. “We can't just put it on the walk-off. We fought back, we were down four runs, came back, scored a bunch of runs. Pitching did really good today, Tanner [Houck] was an absolute stud. Honestly was just a complete team game and it just makes me so happy because of what we're doing as a team.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 25, 2024 5:40:07 GMT -5
Jarren Duran, Red Sox come back from 4-run deficit, walk off with big win
Updated: Jun. 25, 2024, 1:47 a.m.|Published: Jun. 24, 2024, 9:51 p.m.
By
Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON — When the Red Sox get sloppy, they tend to lose games. Or tended to, it seems.
Down 6-2 after two errors helped the Jays score five runs in a big seventh inning, the Red Sox stormed back Monday and walked it off in front of a vivacious Fenway Park crowd when Jarren Duran hit a walk-off single to plate Ceddanne Rafaela and cap off a 7-6 victory. The Sox won their 10th game in 12 tries and improved to 43-36 — a season-best seven games over .500 — with their third walk-off win of the season.
Things looked bleak when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a mammoth, three-run shot off Isaiah Campbell to put the Jays up four runs in the seventh. But the Sox, who swept the Jays at Rogers Centre last week, plated four runs of their own in the eighth and used their fast-break offense to capture the win in the ninth, when Rafaela led off by reaching on a Spencer Horwitz fielding error, took second on a Zach Pop balk and scored easily when Duran shot a single into right.
In the eighth, the resilient Red Sox put together one of their most impressive offensive frames of the season by capitalizing on a mistake the Jays made. After a Duran pop-up dropped between Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Addison Barger on the left side of the infield, David Hamilton parked his fifth homer of the season into the right-field seats to make it a two-run game. With two outs, Rafael Devers and Tyler O’Neill both singled off lefty Tim Mayza, who loaded the bases by intentionally walking Rob Refsnyder. With the bases loaded, Romy González pinch-hit for Dom Smith and came up with the big hit against righty Zach Pop — a two-run, game-tying single to bring things even at 6-6.
Early on, the Jays took the lead in the fourth when Justin Turner returned to Fenway with an RBI single to break a scoreless tie. A half-inning later, Devers answered in a big way, demolishing a 70 mph slow curveball into the right field seats for a 443-foot, two-run blast. That would mark the only damage the Sox would do against Bassitt, who also pitched well against them last week in Toronto.
Leading 2-1 in the seventh with Tanner Houck still on the mound, the Red Sox gave away free outs — and eventually paid the price. Barger led off the inning by reaching on a catcher’s interference (counting as an error), then after back-to-back outs, scored when Kevin Kiermaier tied the game and ended Houck’s night with a seeing-eye single up the middle. Campbell came in and got Kiner-Falefa to softly chop one to the right side, but David Hamilton overthrew Dom Smith at first base, extending the inning and allowing Kiermaier to reach third. A Spencer Horwitz single put the Jays up, 3-2. Guerrero’s homer — a gargantuan 471-ft. blast that left the bat at 113.1 mph — cleared the Green Monster to put Toronto up, 6-2.
Houck, facing the Jays for the second time in as many starts, took a no decision despite pitching into the seventh and allowing just three runs (two earned) while striking out seven. Jays righty Chris Bassitt largely held the Red Sox at bay, allowing five hits in seven frames.
The win marked the second time the Red Sox have overcome a four-run deficit this month, joining June 14, when they trailed the Phillies, 4-0. The Red Sox are 21-12 since May 19 and have won 18 straight games when scoring 5+ runs. Duran and Devers each had three hits, pacing the offense.
Bello on tap for Tuesday
The Red Sox will send righty Brayan Bello (7-4, 4.83 ERA) to the mound for Tuesday night’s game opposite Jays veteran Kevin Gausman (5-6, 4.24 ERA). Bello won the battle between the righties Wednesday at Rogers Centre when he allowed just two runs while striking out six. Gausman allowed five runs (four earned) in 5 ⅔ innings in a 7-3 Red Sox win.
The Red Sox are 11-6 against Toronto since the start of 2023.
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