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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 9:36:31 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 50m The Red Sox’ bullpen threw 5.0 scoreless innings last night, even with a runner starting at 2nd base twice.
Six Boston relievers have a sub-3.50 ERA: Whitlock (1.57), Ottavino (2.79), Sawamura (2.79), Barnes (2.97), Hernandez (3.04), and Taylor (3.33).
Josh Taylor made his 20th consecutive scoreless appearance last night, breaking the Red Sox record for a left-handed pitcher.
The previous record of 19 had been held by Hideki Okajima (2007) and Tony Fossas (1992).
(h/t @eliassports )
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 9:41:34 GMT -5
Rich Hill is more than twice the age of Wander Franco: 'Thanks for reminding me' Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:14
By Rob Bradford 2 hours ago
Rich Hill had just met his newest teammate a few moments before when he was reminded of a most unusual reality.
He was more than twice the age of the player he just introduced himself to.
"It’s a good call," Hill told WEEI.com in a phone interview Tuesday. "I didn’t even think of that. ... Thanks for reminding me."
That's right. At this writing, Wander Franco -- who managed a three-run homer run against the Red Sox in his major league debut a few hours after the Hill introduction -- is 20 years, 114 days old. Wednesday night's Tampa Bay starter? He has been on the planet for 41 years and 104 days.
For the record, Hill is currently the second-oldest active player in the major leagues, behind the Dodgers Albert Pujols. But there are no two teammates with a wider age-differential than the one the Rays' duo now share.
Rays' shortstop Taylor Walls telling Hill his father was just four years older than the pitcher was one thing. Playing with someone more than half your age hits a bit different.
But, in typical Rich Hill fashion, he views the dynamic as a unique opportunity, allowing him to pass down the lessons learned since he lived life as a 20-year-old on the campus of the University of Michigan.
"I always like being around younger guys," Hill said. "It doesn’t matter, whether you’re just being there for guys for support and understanding it’s a hard game and everybody is going to handle it differently mentally.
"My advice would be to just prioritize the patience factor and putting in the work. Doing the work every single day and not getting caught up in anything else."
Could the pitcher imagine 20-year-old Rich Hill living the life Franco has been thrust into?
"No. Definitely. I was in college and I didn’t know anything about … I’m glad that I signed to go to college instead of going to pro ball," he said. "I was definitely not ready to go to pro ball. You grow up fast in pro ball, let alone the big leagues. You grow up fast because of the environment and living on your own. Everything is judged off of your performance. I think the one thing is being ready to work every single day and knowing that you are playing where you are. If you’re in A ball, you’re in A ball. You can’t be wishing that you should be in Double A, Triple A or the big leagues. You are where you are and it is what it is. It’s very cliche, but you are where you are is something I have been able to pick up and keep that same intensity, whether it’s backfield game, regular season game, or World Series game, so you’re the same guy every single time. The more times you do that, the more you practice it, the more consistent you’re going to be when you get out there. That’s what I would tell myself."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 13:26:23 GMT -5
Game 74: Red Sox at Ray lineups and notesBy Katie McInerney Globe Staff,Updated June 23, 2021, 2 hours ago In his MLB debut, Wander Franco met the hype. The Rays’ top prospect tied up the game Tuesday night with a three-run blast off Eduardo Rodriguez in the fifth inning. But it wasn’t enough for Tampa. Connor Wong, whom the Red Sox called up to replace the injured Kevin Plawecki as backup catcher, scored the go-ahead run in the 11th inning to help the Red Sox beat the Rays, 9-5. Boston will put Garrett Richards on the mound in the second game of the series on Wednesday night. He’ll be opposite Massachusetts native Rich Hill, who is 5-2 with a 3.64 ERA this season for the Rays. Lineups RED SOX (44-29): 1. Danny Santana (S) CF 2. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B 9. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B Pitching: RHP Garrett Richards (4-4, 4.36 ERA) RAYS (43-31):1. Brandon Lowe (L) RF 2. Ji-Man Choi (L) 1B 3. Wander Franco (S) 3B 4. Austin Meadows (L) DH 5. Randy Arozarena (R) LF 6. Joey Wendle (L) 2B 7. Manuel Margot (R) CF 8. Taylor Walls (S) SS 9. Mike Zunino (R) C Pitching: LHP Rich Hill (5-2, 3.64 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Hill: Arroyo 0-3, Gonzalez 0-4, Martinez 2-9, Renfroe 7-21 Rays vs. Richards: Kiermaier 2-6, Zunino 7-11 Stat of the day: At 20 years and 113 days of age, Franco became the youngest player to hit a home run in his major-league debut since Jurickson Profar (19 years, 195 days) did so in 2012. Notes: The Red Sox moved to 4-0 against the Rays on the season, and are 1.5 games ahead of Tampa in the AL East standings. ... Boston has won 12 of its past 18 games. The Rays are in their worst losing streak (seven) since losing eight straight in April 2018. ... Hill has given up four runs in each of his last two starts. That’s a big departure from allowing two or fewer in his previous eight. ... Hill has a 12.86 ERA against the Red Sox. That’s the worst of any opponent. ... Richards is 3-1 with a 4.22 ERA in four starts against the Rays. But he hasn’t faced them since June 2015. Song of the Day: Joan Osborne - Right Hand Manwww.youtube.com/watch?v=yKLNyZjIQyY
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 13:39:10 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 1h Rafael Devers has 60 RBIs (tied for the MLB lead with Vlad. Jr) and 41 extra-base hits (tied for the MLB lead with Shohei Ohtani).
J.D. Martinez has an 11-game hit streak. Sounds pretty good!
But his batting average has dropped from .313 to .307.
He's 13x47 (.277 in the streak).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 14:39:38 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey 5m Cora had hoped Arroyo would be back at leadoff today.
Worcester Red Sox @woosox · 51m Jarren's 𝙨𝙞𝙭𝙩𝙝 homer since June 10.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:01:29 GMT -5
well at least we know Garrett Richards "spin rate" will be "natural" today.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:06:21 GMT -5
Chris Hatfield @spchrishatfield · 48m Duran just made a terrific catch to end the inning, but had to because of a late jump - he still wasn't moving by the time the camera moved up to show him. Shows what you're getting with him on defense right now - has speed and athleticism but instincts aren't top-notch.
By the way, not saying they shouldn't call him up with this. Just an observation.
Decision to call him up depends on how they're getting him PT - taking from Kiké, Arroyo, Renfroe, Dalbec? All hitting well. Roster spot is obvious. ABs less so. Santana/Gonazlez play 1/2 of games.
They're not going to call Duran up to give him only Santana's ABs. He's a part-timer. They will need to take PT from Hernandez, Arroyo, Renfroe, and/or Dalbec, who are all hitting reasonably well right now, to make it worth calling Duran up. Roster spot? Yes. More to it though.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:13:51 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 6m Cora says Garrett Richards has been working on adding pitches to his mix - he mentions two-seamer - and reincorporating curveball as he adapts to MLB’s enforcement efforts on foreign substances.
Cora says it would be hard for him to ask umps to check pitchers for foreign substances based on his involvement with 2017 Astros. Suggests the sign-stealing scandal there was a bigger transgression than foreign substances.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:15:21 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 16s Cora said he's looking forward to seeing Dustin Pedroia for his ceremony Friday night at Fenway. Says he hopes Fenway is a "packed house" because he feels Pedroia deserves it.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:16:54 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6m Cora still believes Arroyo (right shin) can avoid the IL. He's running on the field prior to batting practice. #RedSox
Cora again praising deGrom for his reaction to umpires checking pitchers for substances.
On the Girardi/Scherzer confrontation -- 'Max, that was a different situation. It's something we have the green light to do, and obviously they got upset and took exception.' #RedSox
Cora is clearly a Wander Franco fan. Notes in Spanish how the Tampa crowd was chanting his name Tuesday night. Pretty heady stuff for a 20-year-old making his debut. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:17:55 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5m Cora acknowledging he might be slower to request pitcher checks for foreign substances based on his past disciplinary history with #MLB. He mentions the Astros in 2017 specifically.
'As of now I don't see it.' #RedSox
Cora said Pedroia texted him this morning. He's being honored by the #RedSox on Friday at Fenway.
'The fact people are going to be able to recognize a great career, it's going to be amazing.'
Cora on Pedroia in his 2007 debut as an everyday player -- 'He kept doing things baseball-wise to win games. He played outstanding defense while he was struggling. I think that was very important for us.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 15:19:30 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 15m Cora crediting Hernandez and Taylor for helping to stabilize the bullpen. Taylor submitted his 20th consecutive scoreless appearance in Tuesday's win. #RedSox
Cora on Taylor -- 'He was a guy who was at the back end of the bullpen.'
And that's not as the closer. He was about the lowest leverage reliever the #RedSox had on the roster. Remarkable turnaround.
Cora said the #RedSox are 'pleased with the work' Richards has put in between starts. He threw all fastballs and sliders last time in Atlanta -- no curveballs.
'The curveball is part of what we like. I think today he should be fine.'
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 16:16:39 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 15m Christian Arroyo just walked around the field here at the Trop. Still with a pretty good limp. Tomorrow seems unlikely.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 16:52:23 GMT -5
Taylor Walls has been scratched from the Rays lineup on Wednesday with a sore right wrist according to manager Kevin Cash.
Wander Franco will slide over to play shortstop while Joey Wendle moves from second base to third and Brandon Lowe comes in from right field to play second base. Brett Phillips will enter the Rays starting lineup in Walls place, who is day-to-day. Source: Adam Berry on Twitter
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jun 23, 2021 16:55:34 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox lineup: Garrett Richards might sport different pitch mix vs. Rays after sticky substance crackdown; Christian Arroyo still out Updated 5:04 PM; Today 4:59 PM
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Red Sox right-hander Garrett Richards might be sporting somewhat of a new repertoire on the mound when he starts against the Rays on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field.
Richards, who abandoned his curveball in his last outing against the Braves and later ripped Major League Baseball for its crackdown on the use of foreign substances by pitchers, may use a different pitch mix against Tampa Bay. So far this year, he has primarily thrown three pitches -- a fastball (58.2%), slider (26.2%) and curveball (15.1%), but he may begin mixing in a two-seam fastball and changeup.
“He’s actually working on other pitches, too,” said Sox manager Alex Cora. “It’s part of what guys are doing. Right now, he’s throwing changeups. Guys are going to do that. He still has the two-seamer, something we haven’t used this season. I think him going east-west and then being able to use his slider but the curveball is part of what we liked. I think, today, he should be fine.”
Pitchers around baseball have had to abandon pitches they can no longer grip due to the crackdown on sticky substances. Richards was vocal with his displeasure last week and has had open discussions with both Cora and pitching coach Dave Bush in recent days.
“We’re very pleased with the work he put between starts,” Cora said. “He feels comfortable with where he’s at. He understands that whatever adjustments he has to make, he has to make. This is where we’re at and this is where we’re going and it’s here to stay.”
The Red Sox will run back the same lineup they used in Tuesday’s 9-5 win, with Danny Santana leading off and playing center field and Kiké Hernández starting at second base. Christian Arroyo (bruised shin) is day-to-day and could be available for Thursday’s series finale or Friday’s opener against the Yankees.
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