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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:07:21 GMT -5
High-scoring Red Sox continue road dominance, beat Phillies By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 21, 2021, 10:44 p.m.
Despite striking out a jarring 17 times, the Red Sox were on the offensive all evening against the Phillies Friday.
The Sox racked up 13 hits, two of which came by the homer. The Red Sox collected seven runs with two outs, including a Christian Vázquez double with two down in the ninth that scored three, leading to an 11-3 drubbing over the Phillies.
While the strikeouts neared 20, the Sox’ brute force at the plate led them to Friday’s win.
“I didn’t notice that,” manager Alex Cora said of the strikeouts. “We just kept putting together good at-bats after good at-bats. We’ve been striking out a lot but at the same time we’ve been scoring a lot of runs lately. The quality of at-bats, they’re different.”
Different emerged in the fifth inning when newcomer Danny Santana had his grand entrance. With the game tied, 2-2, Santana belted a go-ahead solo shot on a 1-2 Aaron Nola offering. Nola hung the pitch over the heart of the plate, allowing Santana to torque his stocky 5-foot-11, 185-pound frame and send the pitch into the right field seats at Citizens Bank Park.
It sparked what eventually resulted in a blowout win for the Sox, moving them to 28-18 on the year, propelling them to 42 consecutive days in sole possession of first place in the American League East.
“He put a good swing on it,” said Cora of Santana’s homer. “He stayed in the zone and that’s what he brings. He can hit the ball out of the ballpark and we’re very excited that he’s with us and I know he’s gonna help us.”
The Nola piece is important. The Phillies starter had the Sox’ number in his three career starts against the club prior to Friday’s outing. He went at least seven innings, allowing two runs or fewer on four hits or fewer on each occasion.
On Friday, though, the Red Sox tagged Nola for five runs — four earned — in just five innings of work.
The Red Sox established their offense against Nola in the first inning when a Xander Bogaerts groundout on a high chopper scored Alex Verdugo. Rafael Devers belted an RBI double to left that plated J.D. Martinez.
Red Sox starter Martín Pérez cruised through his first two innings of work. But with two outs in the third after Andrew McCutchen double, Pérez met Jean Segura with a changeup that was sent to left-center for a two-run shot.
By the end of it, however, Pérez turned in six innings, yielding three earned runs on five hits.
“I was pounding the zone,” said Pérez. “My changeup, it was good. I think I was moving the ball really good inside and outside and fastball up helped me a lot, too.”
Santana’s homer in the fifth led to a three-run Sox inning, which included a two-out RBI single to left by Bogaerts. McCutchen hit third baseman and cutoff man, Alec Bohm, who had Martinez between second and third — but on the back throw toward second, Bohm delivered an errant throw. That allowed Martinez to come around and score and Bogaerts to move to third on the error.
The Red Sox added some insurance in the sixth when Renfroe registered an RBI single against reliever Connor Brogdon.
Yet the Sox extended their lead, 8-3, in the seventh after Rafael Devers tacked on a two-run shot off Brogdon. Vázquez’s bases-clearing double in the ninth rounded out the scoring.
The Red Sox have faced some formidable starters this year and beat them. That list includes the White Sox’ Lucas Giolito, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom, and now Nola.
“You want to face the best,” Vázquez said. “You can prove yourself when you face the best and we did it today. It’s fun to face those guys because they have great stuff and you prove yourself there.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:08:59 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook Danny Santana homers in his Red Sox debut By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 21, 2021, 7:44 p.m.
Danny Santana made his debut with the Red Sox in their series opener against the Phillies Friday evening. Santana played first and led off, grounding out in his first at-bat. He finished the game 1 for 5, launching a solo homer in the fifth inning off Aaron Nola to get his Sox career off to a good start.
Santana inked a minor league deal with the Red Sox back in March with an invite to spring training. He suffered a foot infection shortly thereafter. The veteran INF/OF recently went on a rehab assignment which began in High A Greenville followed by Triple A Worcester. In eight games Santana hit a combined .433 with three homers.
Last season, Santana tore a ligament in his right elbow which required surgery in September. He played in just 15 games, hitting .145 in 63 plate appearances. During the 2019 season, however, Santana emerged as one of the Rangers’ best players. In 130 games, he slashed .283/.324/.534 with 28 homers and an .857 OPS, stealing 21 bags. Manager Alex Cora and the Sox hope they are getting that version of Santana.
“He’s a switch-hitter who can hit the ball out of the ballpark,” Cora said prior to the game. “I think the thing that he brings that we don’t have is speed. We run the bases well, we pick and choose when we want to go and we’ve been pretty effective. But he can and I think that’s a dimension that will add something to the equation.”
Santana said he’s 100 percent and just happy to be back with a big league club.
“I feel really good right now,” Santana said. “I know I can run a little bit. I can do a lot of things when healthy. I’m ready for everything. I played a couple of positions back in Worcester last week, so I’m ready.”
Austin Brice DFA’d
For now, both Michael Chavis and Franchy Cordero are safe. To make room for Santana on the 40-man, the Red Sox designated reliever Austin Brice for assignment. Brice had a 6.94 ERA in 11 ⅔ innings this year. In his May 4 outing vs. the Tigers, Brice allowed four earned runs in just one-third of an inning. He followed that up with two earned runs during his May 8 appearance vs. the Orioles. Despite delivering back-to-back scoreless outings against both the A’s and Angels, it was evident Brice wasn’t a long-term option for the Sox out of the bullpen.
The Sox now have 13 position players on their roster. In the meantime, Chavis and Cordero get a bit more time on the big league roster. Yet with Christian Arroyo lurking in the background, the Sox will have to decide whom they send to Worcester between Chavis and Cordero.
Arroyo (left hand contusion) began his rehab assignment with the WooSox Friday, in the lineup as the team’s DH and batting second. The plan for Arroyo is to play with the WooSox at least through the weekend before the Red Sox make any type of decision on the infielder. Austin Brice had been relegated to pitching in blowouts, nine of his 12 appearances in games the Red Sox either led or trailed by at least three runs. Austin Brice had been relegated to pitching in blowouts, nine of his 12 appearances in games the Red Sox either led or trailed by at least three runs.Jim Davis/Globe Staff Eovaldi looking to get back on track
Nate Eovaldi gets the start against the Phillies Saturday, carrying a 4.50 ERA in nine starts. In his most recent outing against the Angels, Eovaldi allowed four earned runs. He’s yielded 11 earned runs in his last three starts. “With Nate, just keep doing what he’s doing, don’t change too much,” Cora said. “Obviously, sometimes we feel like he should elevate a little more. But at the end, you see the real numbers and you’re like, you know, what else can we ask from him? So we’ll keep it simple. We’ll make subtle adjustments, and hopefully they can have better results.” ... Alex Verdugo left Friday’s game in the top of the seventh inning with left hamstring tightness. Kiké Hernández took over in center field... Major League Baseball announced Friday that 14 teams have reached the threshold of 85 percent or more of their Tier I individuals being considered fully vaccinated. The Red Sox haven’t reached that mark yet. “We are getting closer,” Cora said. “We are closer than 15 days ago. We’re almost there, but we’re not there.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:10:26 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 6h Whitlock's average fastball velo was down significantly during that outing. He averaged 95.2 m.p.h. heading into today, but was just at an average of 92.2 m.p.h. in this one. The Red Sox have talked about taking care of him and rightfully so. One heater was just 87 m.p.h.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:11:55 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 6h Red Sox to hit 250 doubles before turning 29 years old:
Bobby Doerr (1937-46) Carl Yastrzemski (1961-67) Xander Bogaerts (2013-21)
Xander is the 17th player to hit 250 doubles for the Red Sox.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:14:05 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 12h Danny Santana joining us on Zoom.
'I feel really good right now. I know I can run a little bit. I can do a lot of things when I'm healthy.' #RedSox
Santana had modified Tommy John surgery last year and a right foot infection cleared in spring training.
'To this point, it's a lot of work. Sometimes I sat at home and felt frustrated because I couldn't play.'
'It made me feel bad. Now I'm really happy.' #RedSox
Santana on his rehab -- 'Last week, the past five or six days, I've been on time (swinging). I worked a little harder the last week to be more consistent and swing at good pitches. I feel really good.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:15:03 GMT -5
RED SOX JOURNAL: Arroyo starts rehab assignment in Worcester Bill Koch The Providence Journal Red Sox second baseman Christian Arroyo, who has been on the injured list since May 10, will rehab this weekend with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Christian Arroyo (left hand contusion) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Worcester on Friday.
The Red Sox infielder served as the designated hitter and batted second in his first game action since early May. Arroyo was hit by pitches twice on the back of the hand and eventually forced out of action.
“I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but he’ll probably play the whole weekend there — the three games,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Then we’ll make a decision. Let’s see how he comes out of tonight.”
Arroyo was unable to take batting practice last weekend, relegated to soft toss and tee work. He’s received treatment throughout the week at Polar Park after staying off the road trip and made a quick improvement. The 25-year-old took batting practice in each of the last two days and felt well enough to be activated on Friday against Buffalo.
Arroyo made all of his 18 starts for Boston at second base and batted .275 with a .710 OPS. The former top prospect with the Giants hasn’t played in the minor leagues since spending 33 games with Triple-A Durham in 2019. Arroyo was traded by San Francisco to the Rays and then by Tampa Bay to Cleveland prior to being placed on waivers in August.
“The fact that he’s playing tells you where he’s at right now,” Cora said. “But I do believe getting your legs under you, moving around, playing second, playing short — it's going to help him.” Keeping their focus
Cora turned the page on Thursday’s dramatic victory over the Blue Jays prior to meeting with the media on Friday.
J.D. Martinez cracked a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning as the Red Sox rallied past Toronto, 8-7. Boston squandered an early 5-2 cushion and was on the verge of dropping the three-game series when Martinez smacked his 250th career home run.
“They’re not caught up on what happened yesterday,” Cora said. “They’re getting ready for the Phillies, which is the mark of a good team.
“You’ve got to turn the page when it’s a tough loss or a W like yesterday. You’ve got to be ready for the next day.”
The Red Sox moved back to nine games over .500, matching their best mark of the season. Boston went to 22-13 after a May 9 victory at Baltimore but dropped the series finale to the Orioles the following afternoon at Camden Yards. No change in pitching assignments
The starting rotation will remain on turn through the two scheduled Red Sox off days next week.
Boston will rest twice around a two-game series with Atlanta at Fenway Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Garrett Richards and Nick Pivetta would be the projected starting pitchers in those two interleague meetings.
“We feel very comfortable,” Cora said. “With the off days, they can go deeper into the games. We can match up in the seventh (inning) if they get there.”
The lack of a designated hitter over the weekend against the Phillies leaves the Red Sox starting just eight position players. Cora will use that to hand at least a partial rest to most of his regulars over the next three days. Normal starters who don’t play on Saturday or Sunday would enjoy two days off in a three-day stretch. Vaccine update
Major League Baseball announced 14 of its 30 teams had reached the 85% COVID-19 vaccine threshold as of Friday.
Boston still isn’t one of them. The Red Sox are shy of what would be the trigger for relaxed virus protocols both while traveling and at home.
“We are getting closer,” Cora said. “We are closer than 15 days ago. We’re almost there, but we’re not there.”
Organizations have upwards of 100 people considered Tier 1 personnel — players, coaching staff members, medical staff members and more. That includes both the big leagues and the Triple-A ranks, which are grouped in the same testing bubble.
The Mariners reported a positive test on Friday and touched off fears of a significant spread within their clubhouse. ESPN reported Seattle was among the least-vaccinated franchises in baseball.
bkoch@providencejournal.com
On Twitter: @billkoch25
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:16:08 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h
Martin Perez in line for the win after a quality start -- 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Threw 52 of his 79 pitches for strikes.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:16:37 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h That sweet sound of Philly fan booing.
Nature is healing. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:18:34 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Cora said a switch-hitter like Santana could help balance down in the lineup. No guarantee he continues batting leadoff. #RedSox
Cora on Alex Verdugo (left hamstring tightness) -- 'He feels like it was nothing. He just got scared. We'll check him out tomorrow and see how he feels.'
'Going to stay away from him most likely.' #RedSox
Cora on Martin Perez -- 'He did a good job elevating his pitches, using his changeup. His stuff was crisp.'
'Overall, in every outing, he's given us a chance. That's what we wanted.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'The stadium and the crowd helps. The situation in Dunedin is a lot different. You come here and you feed off the fans and what's going on. You can feel the energy.' #RedSox
Cora on Santana -- 'He said he was a little nervous before his first at-bat.'
'I said, 'Well, you're only human.'' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:20:40 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Martin Perez joins us on Zoom. #RedSox
Perez -- 'Our job is just trying to cover when one of the other starters doesn't have a great game. Our goal the next day is to be the guy who can go more than five (innings) and win.' #RedSox
Perez on Danny Santana -- 'He can hit, man. He can hit. He knows how to play baseball.' #RedSox
Perez -- 'I was moving the ball really good inside and outside. Fastball up helped me a lot, too. Trying to attack the hitters and compete.' #RedSox
Perez on *that* strikeout against Aaron Nola -- '(My teammates) were just yelling at me. It was fun. After that at-bat I just stayed in the game. Just tried to stay focused.'
'I just come here to pitch.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:22:05 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Vazquez said he played against Danny Santana in the minor leagues in 2008.
'He's a great hitter.' #RedSox
Vazquez on Devers being walked to face him in the 9th -- 'It's three RBI. It's fun to have those at-bats. They don't think you can do it and you get a double or a base hit.' #RedSox
Vazquez -- 'I think everybody is pitching good. It's fun to be behind them and catching those guys.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:25:08 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Garrett Whitlock in April:
6 games, 13.1 IP, 0 ER, 0.60 WHIP, 18 K.
In May:
6 games: 9 IP, 5 ER, 1.78 WHIP, 5 K.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:25:57 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6h
Sox are 28-18, 10 games over .50 for the first time.
They have won three straight and six of eight.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:30:26 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook: Danny Santana brings power, speed to top of the order Was 20-20 man with Rangers in 2019
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: May 21, 2021 at 7:08 p.m. | UPDATED: May 21, 2021 at 7:12 p.m.
The Red Sox added a 20-20 guy to their roster on Friday.
Danny Santana, who hit 28 home runs and stole 21 bases for the Texas Rangers just two seasons ago, was promoted from Triple-A Worcester and slotted into the leadoff spot in his Red Sox debut against the Phillies.
“I’m really happy to be here again,” the 31-year-old said. “I thank God for giving me another opportunity to show myself in the big leagues and do what I can do, try to help the team win and play the game the right way.”
Santana was playing first base in his debut, but has played every defensive position except catcher during his seven-year big league career.
The Red Sox now have a handful of super-utility players on the roster, including Kiké Hernandez, Marwin Gonzalez, Michael Chavis and Santana.
“We’re going to move him around just like Marwin and Enrique,” manager Alex Cora said. “Today he’s playing first, Marwin is playing second, but he can play center, he can play left, he can play second — well he can play third, short, second and first — but we’ll keep him probably most likely at first, second and center field.”
After his breakout season with the Rangers two years ago, Santana played in just 15 games last year due to an injured throwing elbow that required surgery to repair a torn ligament, according to MLB.com. Rather than having Tommy John surgery, which can require 10-12 months of recovery for position players, Santana opted for a similar surgery that uses a brace to repair the ligament rather than a human tendon.
“It was a lot of work to do,” he said. “Sometimes I was sitting home frustrated because I couldn’t play. I watched my teammates and the whole team was playing and I am just sitting at home, watching TV and seeing them play. It made me feel bad. Now I’m really happy. I got a new opportunity and I’m going to enjoy it.”
Santana hit the cover off the ball in eight minor league games, batting .433 with three doubles and three homers before his call-up.
“I feel really good right now,” Santana said. “I know I can run a little bit. I can do a lot of things when I am healthy.”
To make room on the roster, the Red Sox designed right-hander Austin Brice for assignment. The 28-year-old reliever had a 6.32 ERA since joining the Sox last year. Speed kills
All offseason, Cora talked about the importance of the Red Sox playing faster than they had played a year ago.
But entering Friday, they ranked below average in stolen bases with just 19 on the year.
Christian Vazquez and Xander Bogaerts lead the team with four steals a piece, but Cora thinks Santana can add the speed element the club has been missing.
“We run the bases well, we pick and choose where we want to go and we’ve been pretty effective, but he can run,” Cora said. “I think that’s a dimension that will add something to the equation. Offensively we should be better. It creates more balance, it gives us more alternatives and we’re very happy he’s with us.”
Santana is 71-for-95 (75%) in stolen base attempts in his career. Cora said he’ll have the green light to run on certain pitchers.
“We like action, we like pressure and I do believe having somebody like that is going to benefit the hitter and whoever is coming behind him,” the skipper said. “We’ve done a good job with the running part of it, stealing bases and putting pressure on guys, but I think when you have somebody that can run actually, not just a sneak runner or just an average runner, he’s done it before. He did it with Texas in 2019 and it was really good.” E-Rod looking up
Eduardo Rodriguez will pitch Sunday after a start in which he showed diminished velocity.
“There’s a few things that he needs to do better, but he’s getting closer,” Cora said. “His fastball up in the zone was good actually against the Jays, but you know we got to find the right mix, and the more he throws the better he’s feeling about his fastball so that’s going to be a game changer.” Vaccination rate not up to par
MLB announced Friday that 14 teams have reached the 85% vaccination threshold and no longer have to wear masks in the dugout or the clubhouse, among other loosening of restrictions.
Cora said the Red Sox are still not at 85%.
“We are closer than 15 days ago,” he said. “We’re almost there but we’re not there.”
Christian Arroyo (hand) began a rehab assignment with Worcester on Friday. The team will re-evaluate him after the weekend.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 22, 2021 4:33:22 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 8h Prior to Danny Santana tonight, it had been 76 years since a player batted leadoff and homered in their Red Sox debut.
Danny Santana (5/21/2021 at PHI) Ben Steiner (4/17/1945 at NYY) Roy Johnson (6/15/1932 at CLE) Elmer Miller (7/26/1922 at CWS)
14 of Raffy’s last 20 hits have gone for extra bases:
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