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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 3:39:33 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 6h The Red Sox are a season-high 23 games above .500 (62-39, .614). They are 6-1 in their last 7 games.
Tonight was their MLB-leading 33rd come-from-behind win of the season. In each of their last 2 games, they trailed when they came to bat in the 8th inning.
Prior to Sunday’s and Monday’s comeback wins, the last time the Red Sox won consecutive games despite trailing after 7 innings in each was August 2018 (8/5/18 vs. NYY and 8/7/18 at TOR).
h/t @eliassports
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 4:00:48 GMT -5
Blue Jays @ Red Sox Tuesday, 27th July 2021 7pm @ Fenway
Ray 8-5/3.12
Robbie Ray surrendered four runs over five innings on Wednesday in a loss to the Red Sox. Ray coughed up five hits, including a two-run homer to Enrique Hernández, and solo shots to Rafael Devers and Michael Chavis, respectively. He finished with four strikeouts and also issued one walk. The 29-year-old southpaw's homer-prone outing snapped a streak of nine consecutive starts in which he had allowed three earned runs or fewer since June 1. He'll carry a pristine 3.12 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 142/28 K/BB ratio across 112 1/3 innings (19 starts) into a rematch against the Red Sox at Fenway Park on Tuesday.
Richards 6-5/4.99
Garrett Richards yielded four runs over 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday in a win over the Blue Jays. Richards delivered a solid performance outside of solo homers by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernández, in addition to a two-run homer by George Springer, which accounted for all of the damage against him. He struck out five batters and only issued one walk. The 33-year-old righty owns a lackluster 4.99 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 78/44 K/BB ratio across 97 1/3 innings (19 starts) this season.
Blue Jays try again to slow rolling Red Sox According to STATS
The Toronto Blue Jays were reminded Monday night why a close lead late never feels safe against this year's Boston Red Sox.
The refresher came courtesy of Alex Verdugo, whose go-ahead, two-run home run in the eighth inning carried the Red Sox past the visiting Blue Jays 5-4 in the opener of a four-game series. The victory was Boston's major-league-leading 33rd coming from behind and second in as many days.
"It's hard to get 27 outs against us. We know that," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. "We have some quality hitters from top to bottom, and obviously this is a tough place to play. You can feel the energy."
Seizing momentum early will be key for the Blue Jays when the teams meet again Tuesday. Left-hander Robbie Ray (8-5, 3.12 ERA) will take the mound for Toronto seeking to rebound from a loss to Boston last Wednesday, when he allowed four runs over five innings in his team's finale at its temporary home park in Buffalo.
Right-hander Garrett Richards -- the winner in that contest -- goes for the Red Sox. Richards (6-5, 4.99 ERA) surrendered four runs over 5 2/3 innings on Wednesday.
The Blue Jays took their fifth loss in six games Monday, a skid that has lowered their record to 49-47 as Friday's trade deadline approaches. Toronto seized a 4-3 advantage in the contest on Bo Bichette's two-run home run in the fifth, but a short start by Thomas Hatch (3 2/3 innings) in his season debut led to an overreliance on the bullpen that came to a head when Trevor Richards served up Verdugo's blast.
"The moment Hatch doesn't go five innings, you've got to piece everything together," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "The whole bullpen actually did a nice job. Richards made one mistake."
The misfire dropped Toronto to 4-8 against Boston this season.
Conversely, the Red Sox are on a roll, winning six of their past seven overall. On Sunday, Boston was no-hit over seven innings before rallying from 4-0 down in the eighth to beat the New York Yankees.
Verdugo's game-winning homer Monday was his 10th long ball of the season and first since June 15.
"I was really trying not to do too much," he said. "It's ironic."
Rafael Devers also homered -- his fifth in his past seven games. Devers leads the major leagues with 81 RBIs, one ahead of Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who remained on his heels with a run-scoring single.
Prior to his performance against the Red Sox last time out, Ray was unscored upon over two consecutive outings, throwing a combined 13 2/3 innings of five-hit ball in wins over the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers. The southpaw is 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts this month, whiffing 29 over 25 2/3 innings.
Richards, meanwhile, hasn't pitched a scoreless outing since May 13. The veteran righty is 2-2 with a 6.44 ERA since the start of June.
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 6:42:15 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 10h Franchy Cordero since his return to the Red Sox: 3-for-6 with 2 walks and 2 strikeouts.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 6:46:16 GMT -5
Fenway Park has suddenly become cool place to be for Red Sox, fans Current Time 0:29 / Duration 2:15
By Rob Bradford 2 hours ago
It's easy to suggest that swinging by Fenway Park Monday night was a good choice.
When you have a moment like the one Alex Verdugo supplied -- hitting a game-winning, eighth-inning, two-run homer to hand the Red Sox a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays -- it certainly lends itself to celebration.
But what Verdugo's blast did was simply reinforce what has become an expectation.
When the Red Sox play at Fenway these days, they are usually going to win and do so in a fashion that makes their paying customers feel like it has been a show worth attending.
"Obviously, this is a tough place to play," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora after this team improved to 62-39. "You can feel the energy. It felt like in that eighth inning, they were a little bit louder, kind of expecting something big."
The Red Sox are now 32-20 at Fenway, but perhaps most notably 17-7 since the ballpark was opened to full capacity and 13-3 in the last 16 games.
Suddenly, this is a team that has the fourth-most home wins in baseball. This is also a group with a major league-leading 33 come-from-behind victories, 12 of which came when trailing after five innings.
Get the picture?
"This is what Fenway Park is, right? We talk about it before the season. We have to make sure it’s a tough place to come here," Cora said. "It’s not a great place to come, enjoy it, have fun and kick our butt, you know? That’s what happened in ‘19 and it happened last year. Seems like we’re doing a better job here. Having fans in the stands is great for us. The music has gotten better, it’s a lot louder. We like it. We’re doing a good job here at home."
It wasn't too long ago that playing in this place was more sad trombone than Mardi Gras celebration. Through the first 26 home games, the Red Sox were sitting at an even .500 (13-13), with raucous crowds a distant memory.
To get an understanding of how morbid playing at Fenway had become, understand that from the outset of the 2019 season until June 24, the Red Sox held the 25th-worst home winning percentage (.463, 69-80). That after serving as the toughest home team to beat in baseball throughout 2018 (57-24, .704).
Add in the element of a fan base that has been seemingly saving up their enthusiasm for the better part of two years, and you have some of the more boisterous venues we have seen in some time.
This has hardly been a sit-on-your-hands, just-happy-to-be here dynamic.
For that, we can thank the perfect storm of electric baseball, home runs along the lines of what Verdugo supplied Monday night, and the desire of a fan base to put the misery of the last two seasons firmly in the rearview mirror.
“That’s what the tone is around here is we’re never out of the game," said Red Sox starting pitcher Nick Pivetta, who allowed four runs over 4 2/3 innings before allowing Phillips Valdez, Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes to finish things off with 4 1/3 scoreless innings.
"Guys are competing at all times, and it’s great to see. We’re all picking each other up at every given time during the season, and I think that’s what’s helped us really be a strong core, and really are putting us in a really good position to do some special things this year. We just gotta keep our heads down, keep winning baseball games, keep winning series, and just focus on each game each night and then moving forward from there. I can’t be more proud of these guys. They’re doing a tremendous job right now.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 6:50:28 GMT -5
Red Sox manager Alex Cora defends Nick Pivetta after another rough start Over his last 12 starts, he has a 5.40 ERA
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald July 27, 2021 at 5:45 a.m.
Nick Pivetta is quietly moving to the back of the line when the Red Sox’ starting rotation crunch arrives in two weeks.
Chris Sale probably needs two more minor league rehab starts, his next one on Saturday in Triple-A Worcester, before the Sox’ six-man rotation becomes a seven-man rotation.
That’s at least one too many.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Pivetta “had no energy” on Monday night, when he coughed up four runs over 4-2/3 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays, though the Red Sox came from behind for the 33rd time this year to win, 5-4.
Cora visited Pivetta on the mound in the fifth inning just to ask about Pivetta’s unusual start.
“Are you OK?” Cora said he asked him. “It seemed like there was no energy on the mound. I don’t know. It just felt different. This is a guy that’s always locked in. You feed off his energy. Tonight it didn’t seem that way.”
The fastball velocity wasn’t quite there either. He averaged 94 mph and max’d out at 95 mph, a bit down from his usual 95 mph average with ability to reach the high-90s.
“Yeah, it was a definite grind for me today,” he said. “The energy wasn’t really there. I really had to lock it in mentally and focus on making pitches.”
It’s also possible his body is tiring after an improbable great start. Pivetta, who had a 5.50 ERA during his four years with the Phillies, hasn’t started regularly or thrown more than 100 innings in the big leagues since 2018. He’s already thrown more than 100 innings this year.
But Cora was adamant that Pivetta has pitched fine lately when asked about him both before and after Monday’s game.
The manager pointed to his lineup card and said most of the hits allowed Monday weren’t hit very hard, except Bo Bichette’s homer, which went 385 feet out of the ballpark.
But the numbers tell a different story.
In his first eight starts this year, Pivetta had allowed just three homers in 42-2/3 innings with a 3.16 ERA.
Over his last 12 starts, he’s allowed 12 home runs in 65 innings with a 5.40 ERA.
“There’s more contact, it feels that way, but it’s weak contact,” Cora said. “Just like the last time in Buffalo… Today he made some good pitches in the fifth inning. That changeup to Bichette, he probably wants it back. But it’s not that bad. I don’t think it’s something we have to worry about.”
Cora thinks Pivetta might’ve struggled to deal with the extra day of rest and said he’ll pitch again Sunday against the Rays, again on an extra day of rest, as the team sticks with a six-man rotation.
With Sale nearing a return and the Red Sox looking around for help at the trade deadline, there’s a roster crunch coming and the numbers haven’t been in Pivetta’s favor.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve been inconsistent, to be honest with you,” he said Monday. “I think I’m pitching really, really well still. I’m going to keep it as positive as I can to be honest with you guys. I’m about that. Im really happy with how I pitched last time against the Blue Jays. And then going back against them, I knew I had to pitch really well, and I just did the best job I possibly can.
“I think it’s just where we’re at in the season, we just keep moving forward here. Get some more energy. Tweak some things in my routine, and I’m looking forward to that start against Tampa on Sunday night. It’s going to be really fun.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 6:58:36 GMT -5
James G @james_in_to · 9h The Blue Jays have entered the 7th inning ahead or tied 59 times. They’ve lost 17 of those games. 38-10 when ahead and 4-7 when tied.
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Post by Kimmi on Jul 27, 2021 7:03:31 GMT -5
Great win for the good guys.
It's nice to see Verdugo hopefully getting his stroke back.
Props once again to Valdez.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 9:02:30 GMT -5
Red Sox Notes @soxnotes · 40m Thu. – trailed 3-1 in the 9th (W 5-4) Sun. – trailed 4-0 in the 8th (W 5-4) Mon. – trailed 4-3 in the 8th (W 5-4)
It had been 15 years (July 29-Aug. 2, 2006) since the Red Sox won 3 games when trailing in the 8th inning or later, all in a 5-game span.
h/t @eliassports
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 11:29:49 GMT -5
Game 102: Blue Jays at Red Sox lineups and pregame notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated July 27, 2021, 57 minutes ago The Red Sox were at it again Monday night, rallying for a 5-4 win over the Blue Jays, their 33rd comeback win of the season. The two teams will be back at Fenway Park Tuesday night for the second of a four-game series. The loss was Toronto’s fifth in six games, dropping the Blue Jays to 49-47 and 10½ games behind the first-place Red Sox. Lineups BLUE JAYS (49-47): 1. George Springer (R) CF 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B 3. Marcus Semien (R) 2B 4. Bo Bichette (R) SS 5. Teoscar Hernandez (R) DH 6. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (R) LF 7. Randal Grichuk (R) RF 8. Cavan Biggio (L) 3B 9. Alejandro Kirk (R) C Pitching: LHP Robbie Ray (8-5, 3.12 ERA) RED SOX (62-39): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) SS 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) LF 4. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 5. Christian Vazquez (R) C 6. Alex Verdugo (L) CF 7. Kevin Plawecki (R) DH 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 9. Michael Chavis (R) 2B Pitching: RHP Garrett Richards (6-5, 4.99 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Blue Jays vs. Richards: Bichette 3-11, Biggio 1-9, Grichuk 3-11, Guerrero Jr. 6-9, Gurriel Jr. 1-9, Hernández 6-11, McGuire 3-6, Semien 5-22, Springer 5-23. Red Sox vs. Ray: Bogaerts 3-8, Chavis 2-3, Dalbec 2-6, Devers 1-1, Hernández 12-47, Martinez 0-7, Plawecki 3-7, Renfroe 3-27, Verdugo 3-8, Vázquez 0-5 Stat of the day: The Red Sox have won 6 of their last 7 games, and are 28-13 vs. American League East opponents. Notes: Rafael Devers has five home runs in his last seven games and an AL-leading eight home runs in 20 July games. He leads the major leagues with 81 RBIs, one ahead of Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. … Richards is 2-2 with a 6.44 ERA since the start of June … Ray allowed four runs over five innings in his last outing, a 7-4 loss to the Red Sox. Richards surrendered four runs over 5⅔ innings to get the win … Ray had not allowed a run in his two previous outings, allowing just five hits in 13⅔ innings in wins over the Rays and the Rangers. He is 2-2 with a 2.10 ERA in four starts this month. Song of the Day: Our Lady Peace - Naveedwww.youtube.com/watch?v=VG4KnYSaLZw
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:38:41 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Alex Cora joining us on Zoom. He's excited to celebrate Puerto Rican Heritage Night at Fenway this evening. #RedSox
Cora on Bogaerts -- 'For him to get two off days, you have to convince him. But he understands how we do things now.'
Said the #RedSox are looking ahead to August and September.
Cora said Duran hasn't taken a ground ball at second base 'in a while.' The #RedSox aren't considering him there even in a pinch.
Cora said Duran is likely to play against Ryu on Thursday. It sounds like they want to keep him away from premium left-left velocity (like with Ray).
Cora said Rodriguez is on track to make his next start on Thursday. #RedSox
Cora said Gonzalez (right hamstring) is 'ahead of everyone else' in terms of IL players.
Andriese (right hamstring) also threw off the mound Monday. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:39:27 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Cora on the trade deadline -- 'I enjoy it. I think it's part of baseball. But as a manager it's a balancing act.'
Notes that even in contending clubhouses there is a 'group of guys' excited to add and a 'handful of guys' hoping they don't get moved. #RedSox
Cora said Sawamura (right triceps) will pitch one inning at Triple-A Worcester tonight. Could that be his only rehab appearance?
'I believe so.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:40:35 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Replying to @billkoch25 Cora -- 'There are a lot of impactful players right now who are keeping the interest of the game back home.'
'They love it. Boxing, baseball and politics -- that's the passion down there.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'We're still playing at a high level.'
'But there are some adjustments we have to make.'
Cora would like to see more youth players in Puerto Rico on a college baseball track -- getting recruited, SAT scores, GPAs, letters of intent, etc. #RedSox
Good note from @juniorpepen -- Cora celebrates this night with Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, a fellow Puerto Rico native. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:41:19 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Cora said 'one more day' for Bogaerts. Trying to rest his left wrist. He'll be in the lineup Wednesday. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:42:22 GMT -5
Tarp is on the field seems a rain system is gonna be going thru looks like this one will be delayed
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 27, 2021 17:50:59 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 8m The #tarpaulin will remain on the field for an as-yet undetermined duration. The Red Sox-Blue Jays start will be #delayed.
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