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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:31:32 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 7h How dare you, Jarren Duran. This isn't Little League!
The audacity of even attempting that was wonderful. A true inside-the-park home run attempt without an outfielder down, an injury, etc. That was electric.
(And yes, the Springer bobble was an error. Still, come on.) #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:34:29 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Replying to @billkoch25 Cora on Duran rounding the bases -- 'Take a look at him.'
'Just look at him. That's how fast he is.'
'His speed, it changes the game. It's a weapon.' #RedSox
Cora said Rafael Devers 'feels a little bit tight.' He'll have a day off on Thursday. #RedSox
Cora -- 'I know a lot of people thought we were thin organization-wise.'
'You've got to be patient.'
'They've been here for a while. Now they've graduated.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:35:55 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Devers told the #RedSox staff he felt some tightness going into second base. They expect him back on Friday. #RedSox
Cora said they have to be careful with Plawecki because he's just back off the IL. They're 'very happy with the way he's been swinging the bat.' #RedSox
Cora said Sawamura 'did a good job' during his one inning at Worcester. Will be evaluated on Thursday. If he checks out okay, could be activated for the road trip starting on Friday. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:37:24 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Tanner Houck on Zoom -- 'I felt good. I felt really confident with all my pitches today. In the bullpen it just felt right coming out of the hand.' #RedSox
Houck on his sinker tonight -- 'I felt really confident with it going into the game. It was a good pitch to throw to this lineup. They're early swingers.' #RedSox
Houck on Duran circling the bases -- 'That was a crazy play for sure.'
'Seeing that was truly something I don't think you'll see again for a while.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:38:31 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h Jarren Duran on his trip around the bases -- 'I was just hoping to get on three. I knew Springer was playing more toward left-center.'
'As soon as I got to third (Carlos Febles) started waving me.'
'I was just hoping I could make it to home without falling.' #RedSox
Duran -- 'I'll take the triple. I guess my laundry cart ride doesn't become official until I hit a real home run.' #RedSox
Duran on contributing in a pennant race with Tanner Houck -- 'It's awesome to see Tanner go out there and shove and do his thing. He's nasty.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:41:20 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h Imagine being Kevin Plawecki on 1st base when Duran put that one in the gap?
You have a 90-foot head start and you're praying all the way he doesn't catch you.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 3:50:39 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox’s Michael Chavis, Bobby Dalbec continue slumps with poor showings vs. Blue Jays: ‘Some of these guys, they have to step up’ Updated Jul 28, 2021; Posted Jul 28, 2021
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
BOSTON -- The struggles of two young Red Sox power hitters took center stage in Game 1 of Wednesday’s doubleheader, as Michael Chavis and Bobby Dalbec combined to go 0-for-5 with five strikeouts and a walk in Boston’s 4-1 loss to the Blue Jays. Considering the Red Sox are facing six lefties in a row between now and Sunday, the club would surely like to get both players going in a hurry.
With southpaw Robbie Ray on the mound for Toronto, Dalbec started at first base over Franchy Cordero and Chavis got the nod at second while Kiké Hernández played center and Jarren Duran sat. With Christian Arroyo, Danny Santana and Marwin Gonzalez all on the injured list, the Red Sox have turned to Chavis and Dalbec on a more frequent basis.
“We’re going to face a lot of lefties this week and, overall, we’re good against lefties,” said manager Alex Cora. “We’re not great. Some of these guys, they have to step up and put good at-bats and help us win ballgames.”
In nine games since last being called up from the WooSox on July 9, Chavis is 2-for-19 (.105) with 10 strikeouts. Entering Wednesday’s nightcap, Dalbec had been 10-for-48 (.208) with 20 strikeouts and zero walks in July. His second-inning walk in Game 1 of the doubleheader was his first since June 23.
“The thing that really surprises me is the lack of walks,” Cora said. “When we had him in spring training in ’19, I saw him controlling the strike zone. We knew about the swings and misses but it was good takes, good quality takes and good swing decisions. On and off, sometimes he’s getting caught up in the results instead of the process.”
Dalbec’s walk loaded the bases with no outs for Chavis, who proceeded to strike out for the first of three straight outs recorded by Ray to escape the jam. Cora was frustrated by his team’s inability to capitalize on the threat, especially considering how both Chavis and Hernández struck out and failed to put the ball in play.
“We had a chance to put them away”, Cora said. “I do believe if we score a few, we put them away. Michael strikes out, Enrique (Hernández) puts a good at-bat then chases a pitch up in the zone. He battled that one. We have to make adjustments.”
Dalbec will start Thursday’s series finale against the Jays and will likely play all three games in St. Petersburg with lefties Josh Fleming, Ryan Yarbrough and Shane McClanahan scheduled to pitch for the Rays. Chavis will likely get his chances, too. Though the expectations are lower for Chavis, who started the year at Triple-A, a strong showing while the other infielders are hurt could lead to more playing time. So far, the Red Sox are pleased with the former first-rounder’s defensive performance. Offensively, there is work to be done.
“Offensively, he has made a conscious effort not to chase that pitch up,” Cora said. “I think he has done an okay job with it. It’s not easy in the role he’s in. He’s still young and we feel he needs at-bats, but where we’re at right now roster-wise, he’s getting chance to be with us and we’re very pleased with the way he’s performing.”
For Dalbec, who entered the year as the primary first baseman, the leash may be getting shorter. Friday’s trade deadline is fast approaching and the Red Sox are known to be looking for first base help, either in the form of a full-time player or left-handed hitting complement. For now, he’ll continue getting chances.
“He has been good against lefties the whole season,” Cora said. “We have been very careful with certain righties but he has been solid against lefties. We’ll keep playing him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 4:05:31 GMT -5
Blue Jays @ Red Sox Thursday 29th July 2021 7pm @ Fenway
Ryu 9-5/3.44
Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed three runs on 10 hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings on Saturday but was not involved in the decision during the Blue Jays 10-3 victory over the Mets. Ryu generated just six whiffs during the contest but posted a respectable 31 percent CSW thanks to 18 called strikes. The 34-year-old is having a quietly solid season, posting a 3.44 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 110 innings with 89 strikeouts. Ryu is expected to match up against the Red Sox next week at Fenway Park.
E-rod 7-5/5.23
Rodriguez was pulled from Friday's start in the second inning after experiencing migraine symptoms, but he felt much better as the weekend progressed. The 28-year-old southpaw heads into that start with a 5.23 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 113/24 K/BB ratio across 96 1/3 innings in 19 starts on the season.
Battle of lefties as Blue Jays, Red Sox close out series According to STATS
Even if the Boston Red Sox stand pat at Friday's trade deadline, a win like the one they had over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday night is plenty reassuring.
A rookie starter striking out seven over four dominant innings. A 24-year-old outfielder less than two weeks into his major league career legging out an apparent inside-the-park home run. A backup catcher finishing 3-for-3 to raise his average to .300.
Role players continue to be the key to the Red Sox's success.
"A lot of people thought we were thin, organization-wise," Boston manager Alex Cora said. "We're in a great situation here. I know there's a lot of stuff going on around the league, but the fact that we are where we are ... it's good."
Boston closes out its four-game series against Toronto on Thursday. The hosts won Monday before splitting a day-night doubleheader Wednesday, losing Game 1 by a 4-1 score before winning by the same margin in the nightcap.
Left-handers face off in the finale as the Red Sox's Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 5.23 ERA) takes the mound opposite Hyun Jin Ryu (9-5, 3.44). The two battled twice this year back on April 20 (won by Rodriguez) and May 18 (won by Ryu).
The contest will mark the Blue Jays' final regular-season appearance at Fenway Park this year.
"We haven't played great games against these guys," said Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo, whose team is 5-9 in the season series. "Our starters have done a good job, and our offense has been equally good, but their bullpen has been a little bit better in the games that they've won."
Boston has won seven of its past nine games overall. In the second end of the doubleheader, Tanner Houck impressed from the mound, Jarren Duran showed off his legs and Kevin Plawecki led from behind the plate.
Duran's play was especially electric, as he circled the bases on a liner to the gap in center field. A George Springer bobble on the ball resulted in the hit being ruled a triple and an error that allowed Duran to cross the plate.
"His speed changes the game," Cora said. "That's what we're looking for. It's a weapon, and it was fun to watch him run the bases."
It wasn't all positive for Boston, though, as All-Star third baseman Rafael Devers exited in the sixth inning with tightness in his left quad. Devers had a planned day off Thursday, and he'll be reassessed Friday ahead of a key road matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Blue Jays also lost a position player after Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was hit by a pitch in the elbow in the final inning. He will be re-evaluated Thursday, per Montoyo.
After the finale at Boston, the Blue Jays will return to Toronto for their first home game at Rogers Centre since September 2019. Their opponent will be the Kansas City Royals. Toronto played its home games at Dunedin, Fla., and Buffalo, N.Y., as a result of the pandemic.
Ryu is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four July starts. He was tagged for a season-high 10 hits on Saturday but gave up just three runs in 4 1/3 innings against the New York Mets.
He is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox, including a 1-1 mark in two starts this season in which he allowed four runs and 12 hits in 12 innings.
Rodriguez exited after just one-plus inning against the New York Yankees on Friday after experiencing migraine symptoms. He is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA in four July starts.
Rodriguez has faced the Blue Jays 16 times (15 starts) in his career and he has a 4.78 ERA and a 5-5 record. He holds a 1-1 record in two starts this season against Toronto, having allowed seven runs on 14 hits in 11 innings.
--Field Level Media
Blue Jays at Red Sox Thursday, at 7:10 PM EST Rainy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 68° F with a 28% chance of rain and 11 MPH wind blowing out in Boston at 7:10 PM EST.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 6:37:18 GMT -5
Peter Gammons @pgammo · 2h 5 of Tanner Houck's 9 major league appearances are vs. Yankees, Jays, Rays. 18.2 IP 12 H 4R 3ER 6 BB 24 K
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 6:46:59 GMT -5
For the Red Sox, this day was all about 2 players Current Time 0:25 / Duration 0:57
By Rob Bradford 2 hours ago
The Red Sox split their doubleheader with the Blue Jays Wednesday, losing 4-1 in Game 1 while returning the favor with a victory by the same margin in the nightcap.
There was plenty to pick through. When you play 14 innings of baseball there always is.
But, let's be honest, the biggest takeaway from 5 hours and 3 minutes of late-July big-league ball was watching two players: Tanner Houck and Jarren Duran.
What transpired on this one day was part of the equation, but really what the pair represent heading into the regular season's final two months was the thing.
The irony shouldn't have been lost on anyone heading into the 8 o'clock hour. With the news of the Yankees' trade for Rangers slugger Joey Gallo just breaking, Houck and Duran were helping the Red Sox mark their territory at Fenway Park.
Houck cruised through the first three innings of his seventh major league starter, notching six of his first nine outs via strikeouts. Ultimately, the righty would allow one run over four innings.
“I felt good. I felt really confident with all my pitches today," Houck noted. "In the bullpen, just felt right coming out of the hand early. Continued that into the game and the rest is history. Felt happy with everything and truly got to work all the pitches in tonight.”
Shortly after Houck finally allowed that first hit -- a Vlad Guerrero Jr. double to lead off the fourth -- Duran did his thing.
He is hitting just .172 with a .598 OPS, striking out 11 times in 29 at-bats, but it is moments like Duran's race around the bases that offers an idea of what might lay ahead.
“As soon as I got to third, he started waving me and I was like, 'I’m absolutely gassed' and I was just hoping I could make it to home without falling,” Duran said. He added, "I mean, in college, we used to preach, like, we shouldn’t need our third base coach. it was all about us. We have our head, we can use it as a swivel so I guess at Long Beach State, we did so much baserunning I developed that skill to be able to look around the whole entire field and continue to run."
"Take a look at him, I told Timmy (Hyers) and Alex just look at him because that’s how fast he is," Red Sox manager Cora said. "He put some good at-bats but he’s a game changer. His speed changes the game, that’s what we’re looking for. It’s a weapon and it was fun to watch him run the bases."
“That was a crazy, crazy play, for sure," Houck said. "I’ve always known he was definitely the fastest guy out on the field at every point of the game. Seeing that was truly something I don’t think you’ll see again for a while."
What does all of this mean for the Red Sox (who now carry a 2 1/2 game lead over the Rays after Tampa Bay's third straight loss? It means they have the kind of weapons that can make a difference at a time it matters most.
Maybe it will be Houck as a high-leverage reliever. Perhaps Duran becomes the guy who is rotated in for times that best fit his skill-set. So be it. They seem to be both be parts of the solutions while making the Red Sox feel like they have a few less problems.
This time of year, such gifts are gold. That was the reminder Wednesday night supplied.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 13:28:23 GMT -5
Game 104: Blue Jays at Red Sox lineups and pregame notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated July 29, 2021, 10:39 a.m. After splitting Wednesday’s doubleheader, the Red Sox and Blue Jays close out their four-game series at Fenway Park Thursday night. The Red Sox hold a 9-5 edge over Toronto this season, winning five of the last six. After Thursday night’s game, the Red Sox will embark on a 10-game road trip, beginning with a pivotal three-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays, whom they lead by 2½ games. Here are the standings. Lineups BLUE JAYS (50-48): 1. George Springer (R) DH 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (R) 1B 3. Marcus Semien (R) 2B 4. Bo Bichette (R) SS 5. Teoscar Hernandez (R) RF 6. Randal Grichuk (R) CF 7. Cavan Biggio (L) LF 8. Santiago Espinal (R) 3B 9. Reese McGuire (L) C Pitching: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (9-5, 3.44 ERA) RED SOX (63-40):1. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B 2. Jarren Duran (L) CF 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 5. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 6. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 3B 9. Franchy Cordero (L) 1B Pitching: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (7-5, 5.23 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Blue Jays vs. Rodriguez: Bo Bichette 3-6, Cavan Biggio 1-7, Santiago Espinal 0-5, Randal Grichuk 5-21, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 3-11, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 6-17, Teoscar Hernández 7-17, Alejandro Kirk 0-2, Reese McGuire 0-2, Marcus Semien 5-21, George Springer 1-3. Red Sox vs. Ryu: Xander Bogaerts 3-8, Michael Chavis 1-3, Franchy Cordero 0-2, Bobby Dalbec 2-4, Rafael Devers 1-7, Kiké Hernández 0-6, J.D. Martinez 4-16, Kevin Plawecki 2-5, Hunter Renfroe 4-23, Alex Verdugo 2-3, Christian Vázquez 1-9. Stat of the day: The Red Sox have gone a season-high seven straight games without committing an error, tied for their longest errorless streak since 2018 (10 games). Notes: Rodriguez is making his first appearance since Friday against the Yankees, when migraine symptoms cut his start short in the second inning. He is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA in four July starts and has faced the Blue Jays 16 times (15 starts) in his career (5-5, 4.78 ERA). He’s 1-1 in two starts this season against Toronto, having allowed seven runs on 14 hits in 11 innings. … Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has reached base via hit or walk in 25 consecutive starts vs. the Red Sox. … Ryu is 2-1 with a 3.54 ERA in four July starts. He is 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in four career starts against the Red Sox, including 1-1 in two starts this season, allowing four runs and 12 hits in 12 innings. Song of the Day: The Guess Who - No Sugar Tonight / New Mother Nature www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMG-Mi9I0-k
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 14:16:39 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5m #RedSox announce Tanner Houck optioned to Triple-A Worcester
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 3m Optioning Houck rather than Wong gives the Sox greater freedom to use Plawecki. That said, slightly surprising that it is Houck and not another optionable reliever (Valdez?) who got sent down… save for the fact that Sawamura should be activated tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 14:24:32 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 12m Red Sox carried 27 guys for the doubleheader. Will have 3 catchers with Wong staying (at least for the day).
Alex Cora on the Houck move: "It's about roster flexibility."
Houck will pitch during the doubleheader next weekend in Toronto.
* Rafael Devers (quad) is getting treatment. Goal is still for him to start toorrow.
* Marwin Gonzalez (hamstring) will rehab this weekend and join the Sox either in Detroit or Toronto.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 14:34:02 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 12m Cora says Devers is getting treatment. Hope remains that he will be ready Friday, but Sox won’t make that a hard goal.
Cora says anticipated return of Sale gives the team “a different feel … it’s the trade nobody else can make.” Then corrects himself with an obvious allusion to Scherzer: “Maybe one more team can add an ace like him.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 29, 2021 14:36:21 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 2m Re: The Houck move. With the off-day coming up on Monday, every Red Sox starter aside from Perez is pitching on an extra day of rest between today and the doubleheader on Saturday Aug. 7, when Houck comes back. Now he can get a start in Worcester and stay fresh.
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