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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 15:01:48 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 1h Replying to @billkoch25 Kyle Schwarber said he expects to begin a rehab assignment 'pretty soon.' He hit on the field at The Trop prior to Friday's game. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 15:06:35 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 23m Greetings from Polar Park in Worcester, where Chris Sale is currently stating his pregame warmup on the field in what could be his penultimate rehab start. I’ll be covering this one for the Globe.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 16:40:43 GMT -5
Red Sox Notebook: Kyle Schwarber to begin rehabbing hamstring injury sooner than expected
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: July 31, 2021 at 4:50 p.m. | UPDATED: July 31, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.
As soon as early next week, Kyle Schwarber could begin a rehab assignment that’ll bring him closer to his Red Sox debut.
It was a sooner timetable than some expected as Schwarber returns from a significant hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since July 2.
“It’s not going to be too long,” Schwarber said Saturday in his first press conference since being acquired from the Nationals. “We’ll probably go out and rehab here maybe pretty soon and then see how that goes and could be back before you know it.”
Red Sox manager Alex Cora said that by the end of the week the Sox will make a decision on Schwarber’s minor league rehab assignment, which could bring him to a big league return as soon as the second week of August.
Calling Fenway Park his home will be special, he said.
“I always say that there’s only a couple of real ballparks left in the game, and the rest are kind of stadiums, and when you think of Fenway, you think of Wrigley Field,” he said. “Those are iconic, historic places where there’s been a lot of history there before you ever even step on that baseball field. You already have a certain amount of respect before you even put on that uniform.”
The big question is how quickly Schwarber can learn first base and how difficult the transition will be for him.
A natural catcher, he transitioned to the outfield during his first year in the big leagues in 2015 and has played mostly left field since then.
“I’m going to go out there and keep taking groundballs, try to put us in a position to (try this) new position,” he said. “For me, I view myself as a pretty good athlete. I just want to be able to go out there and make sure you have the basics down, and as you keep progressing, you keep learning things. Obviously there is a sense of urgency here with where the club is at. I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make sure that if I’m going in there at first base, there’s not going to be a missed beat.”
Scwharber was red-hot before his hamstring injury. He hit 16 homers in a stretch of 18 games from June 12 through June 29 and hurt himself three days later.
“When you hit that many home runs, you just kind of sit back and laugh and just hope that feeling never goes away,” he said. “Just to get back out there on the field now, I believe hitting is a feeling. You just want to be able to keep that same feeling going to the box. If you go into the box and you trust your work and you trust your cage work and you trust your preparation on the pitcher and you step in the box and you know that you’ve got everything there, you’ve already got a slight advantage.” Dalbec in a mental funk
With Schwarber coming back as a first baseman, that’ll certainly be the end of Bobby Dalbec’s playing time against right-handed pitching.
Cora indicated that Dalbec would still play first base against lefties. He has hit .261 with a .768 OPS vs. lefties this year compared to a .184 average and .571 OPS against righties.
Of late, Dalbec’s lack of confidence has been apparent in his body language on the field, and Cora thinks his struggles at the plate have carried over into his defense.
“I believe so,” Cora said. “You can see it. You guys see the camera shows him in the dugout, on the field. We’ve been talking about that. It’s getting to the point that you had your opportunity to play. Whatever, probably hit .330 or .210, it doesn’t matter.
“Now, we have to turn the page right away. We got 60 games to go, and the numbers will be the numbers, but I think people will remember you for what you do in the stretch run. He has a chance to be playing against lefties, and yesterday he actually put good at-bats against a lefty. It’s been hard on him, to be honest with you, but at the same time, we’re going to keep working with him.” Darwinzon to the IL
There were a lot of moving pieces on the Red Sox roster on Saturday, as newly-acquired relievers Hansel Robles and Austin Davis were added to the active roster.
To make room, third-string catcher Connor Wong was demoted to Triple-A Worcester and left-handed reliever Darwinzon Hernandez was placed on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique.
“We don’t think it’s something that’s going to take too long,” Cora said of Hernandez’s injury.
Robles, a right-handed reliever, and Davis, a left-handed reliever, will immediately pitch important innings, Cora said.
“I think with Hansel, he’ll be our other Hirokazu Sawamura, a righty who can come in and shut down an inning, then come back for three more outs,” he said.
Marwin Gonzalez will continue a rehab assignment and is likely to rejoin the Red Sox in Detroit on Monday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 16:42:23 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 6m Sale threw 81 pitches over five innings, walked one and struck out seven. Gave up five hits and one run. Based on what Alex Cora had said prior to today, he will make one more start. I'm guessing he pitches for the Red Sox at Fenway against the Rays Aug. 10-12 barring setback.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 16:50:01 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 2h Alex Cora agrees with the notion that Dalbec might be taking some of his offensive struggles into the field.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 20:36:45 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h #RedSox starters have a 5.50 ERA since the All-Star break.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 20:38:40 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 15m Sox now trailing 7-5 as Ottavino gives up a run and here is the Sox debut for Austin Davis.
Ottavino's last 4 games: 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER (at least).
Make that 7.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Jul 31, 2021 20:40:52 GMT -5
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 3:46:03 GMT -5
'A lot of chances' slip away from Sox Boston falters in clutch on both sides of ball, drops behind Rays in AL East 1:13 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
ST. PETERSBURG -- After 34 consecutive days of holding at least a share of first place in the American League East, the Red Sox fell from their perch with a disjointed 9-5 loss to the Rays on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.
First-time All-Star Nathan Eovaldi, who had easily been Boston’s best starting pitcher for the last several weeks, didn’t make the key pitches when he needed to, allowing six hits and six runs (five earned) in 5 1/3 innings. Eovaldi had a 3-0 lead before he even threw a pitch, but the game was tied by the bottom of the third.
“I felt like that game was on me tonight,” said Eovaldi. “I definitely could’ve done better. Our guys battled all the way back. We tied it up 5-5, and I gave it up in the sixth inning.”
The offense had the bases loaded with one out in the sixth, and didn’t score. It loaded them up again in the seventh, this time with two outs, and didn’t score. The Sox were 1-for-7 on the night with runners in scoring position and left seven on base.
“I mean, a lot of chances. We had a lot of chances, we had a lot of opportunities to put some runs on the board,” said Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “Just one swing away, one different bounce could have changed pretty much the whole outcome of all the games that we played in [recently].”
Defense was also an issue on Saturday. Jonathan Araúz, filling in at a time when Marwin Gonzalez and Christian Arroyo are both on the injured list, made two errors in the third inning at second base.
“A little hesitation on the first one,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “He was playing back, kind of like had a stutter step, and then it was an in-between hop. The other one, he rushed himself to turn a double play. It sucks, right, because yesterday he had such a great game defensively at third base, and then he has those two plays at second. Obviously, he’s not trying to make errors, but at the same time, I know he’s down on himself.”
The bottom line is that the Red Sox haven’t played well of late, losing three in a row and four of their last five. Cora’s club is 8-9 since the Saturday before the All-Star break.
While every good team goes through a lull, this stretch is being magnified in light of the decision by the front office not to make big pitching additions leading up to the Trade Deadline.
In fairness, the Sox did add a significant bat in Kyle Schwarber and expect ace Chris Sale back around Aug. 10. Schwarber should also debut around that time as he returns from his right hamstring strain. Gonzalez, Arroyo and Ryan Brasier are others who could offer help when they return from the injured list.
“We’re a good team. We’re really good,” said Bogaerts. “We’re just going through a rough stretch right now.”
Though the Rays have already won this three-game series, the Sox can at least take first place back from their division rivals before leaving town if they can take the Sunday night finale.
“I know tomorrow’s a huge game for us, although it’s [only] August,” said Bogaerts. “I think a lot of guys are going to be happy for it to be August, to be honest, you know what I mean? I can’t wait to see what that month has in store.”
After going 17-10 in April, 15-11 in May and 18-10 in June, the Sox went 13-12 in July.
Maybe the Red Sox had their “dog days” in July, rather than August.
“Hopefully I can come through for this team in a big way these last couple of months that we have,” said Bogaerts. “We haven’t been playing the way we want to, but it would be special to help out in a big way and have everyone hot at the same time. I know there’s a lot of guys that don’t feel their swing right now.
“You know, things are going to turn around. That’s just the way this game is. If you continue to put the work in, you’re going to see results. If you just sit back and hope for the best, it doesn’t work like that. You have to show up and put in the extra work or the early work.”
Why does Bogaerts feel that Sunday’s game is so big?
“I know there’s still two months of baseball left,” said Bogaerts. “But for us, [Sunday], it’s huge. We’re playing the guys that are neck and neck with us in the division. I know there’s two months left, but we need a win tomorrow.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 3:48:18 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Sale getting close July 31st, 2021
ROSTER MOVES
July 31: LHP Darwinzon Hernandez placed on 10-day IL with right oblique strain, retroactive to July 30 Hernandez, a key setup man for the Sox, pitched a scoreless eighth inning against the Blue Jays on July 29. He didn’t suffer the injury in that game -- it had been nagging him for a bit. In 41 appearances this season, Hernandez is 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA.
July 31: RHP Hansel Robles and LHP Austin Davis added to the 26-man roster Both relievers were acquired in trades on Friday. Robles will be used similarly to Hirokazu Sawamura, according to manager Alex Cora, which means high-leverage situations in the middle to late innings. Davis is more likely to be matched up with lefties when possible, and his arrival comes at an opportune time with lefty Darwinzon Hernandez on the injured list.
July 30: C Connor Wong optioned to Triple-A Worcester With the two bullpen trade acquisitions needing to be activated, Wong, the third catcher on the roster for the last three games, was the odd man out.
INJURY UPDATES 10-day IL
OF/1B Kyle Schwarber (right hamstring strain) Expected return: Second week in August The veteran left-handed masher worked out with the Red Sox on July 31 for the first time since being acquired two days earlier and thinks he will soon be ready to go on a Minor League rehab assignment. Schwarber suffered his injury while with the Nationals on July 2, and he has been taking BP regularly for a while. It stands to reason that Schwarber could make his debut for the Red Sox during their next homestand, which starts on Aug. 10. (Last updated: July 31)
INF Marwin Gonzalez (right hamstring strain) Expected return: Aug. 3 The switch-hitting utilityman belted a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning for Triple-A Worcester on July 31, while starting at second base in his second game for the WooSox. Gonzalez, who went 1-for-4, is expected to be activated when the Red Sox open a three-game series in Detroit. (Last updated: July 31)
LHP Darwinzon Hernandez (right oblique strain) Expected return: Mid August While oblique injuries can be problematic, this one is believed to be minor. “We don’t think it’s something that’s going to take too long. He’s been dealing with it,” said manager Alex Cora. “Instead of keep pushing it -- he wanted to keep pushing it – but we didn’t agree with it, so hopefully he can come back sooner rather than later.” (Last updated: July 31)
LHP Chris Sale (Tommy John surgery) Expected return: Second week of August In what was likely his second-to-last rehab start before making his anticipated return to the Red Sox, Sale was dominant on July 31 for Triple-A Worcester. He got stretched out to five innings and 81 pitches, scattering five hits and allowing one run while walking one and striking out seven. Look for Sale to make one more start in the Minors as early as Aug. 5. Assuming there are no setbacks, it wouldn’t be surprising for him to start for the Red Sox on Aug. 10 or so against the Rays at Fenway Park. (Last updated: July 31)
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 4:03:41 GMT -5
Rays dump Red Sox again, and Xander Bogaerts declares ‘we need a win tomorrow’ By Julian Benbow Globe Staff,Updated July 31, 2021, 9:46 p.m.
From the time the Red Sox truly started to settle into first place in the AL East a month ago, the Tampa Bay Rays never let them get too comfortable. The Sox’ biggest cushion all season was a 4½-game lead on July 5. But since then, they have looked over their shoulder as Tampa Bay gradually ate away at that lead.
The Sox could feel the Rays breathing down their necks after dropping the first game of their three-game series.
With a 9-5 win Saturday night, the Rays emphatically snatched the top spot back, throwing the Sox into second place in the division for the first time since June 26.
The Rays picked up their fourth straight win over the Sox on the strength of an overpowering lineup that’s scored 30 runs in its past three games.
Francisco Mejia went 2 for 4 with a homer and four RBIs. Ji-Man Choi went 2 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs. Wander Franco went 2 for 4 with two RBIs.
The Sox have dropped four of their last five and Xander Bogaerts had the exasperation in his voice of a man who couldn’t wait for the calendar to flip.
“There’s still two months of baseball left but for us this is huge,” Bogaerts said. “We’re playing the guys that that are neck and neck with us in the division. These guys, they’re swinging the bat pretty good.”
The Sox wrap up their series with the Rays on Sunday before a much-needed off-day on Monday.
“I know it’s two months left but we need a win tomorrow,” Bogaerts said.
Not even a fast start by the Sox could keep the Rays at bay.
An RBI single by J.D. Martinez gave the Sox a quick boost in the first inning. Bogaerts provided a jolt in the next at-bat with a two-run homer to center, his 16th of the season.
But the 3-0 lead didn’t last long.
The Rays got two of the runs back in the bottom of the inning when Brandon Lowe led off with a double and Choi swatted a 1-0 cutter from Nathan Eovaldi deep to right field for his eighth homer of the season.
“It’s very frustrating to me,” Eovaldi said. “Especially how big this game was for us tonight.”
Eovaldi worked a 1-2-3 second inning, but an ugly third inning gave the Rays a chance to even things up.
After Meija flew out to left to start the inning, Sox second baseman Jonathan Arauz mishandled a ground ball from Lowe and Lowe reached on the error.
Errors have had a way of following Arauz wherever he goes. He played 55 games for Triple A Worcester this season at three different positions, not counting DH. He made 19 errors at second base, six at shortstop, and three at third.
After a line-drive single to right by Choi made it first-and-third with one out, Nelson Cruz shot a ground ball to Arauz that looked like it would start an inning-ending double play, but Arauz bobbled it. He couldn’t gather it in time to get the out at second and Cruz hustled down the line to get to first. Meanwhile, Lowe crossed the plate for the tying run.
“We didn’t play good defense behind [Eovaldi] at one point,” Sox manager Alex Cora said. “When you give the opposition more than 27 outs, you keep the line moving, moving, moving and bad things happen. And they kept putting pressure on us all night.”
The Rays kept capitalizing in the fourth. Joey Wendle led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Mejia lifted a 1-and-2 fastball from Eovaldi to center for a two-run homer that gave the Rays a 5-3 lead.
The Sox battled back in the fifth. A two-run homer by Bobby Dalbec knotted it at 5. But Eovaldi continued to struggle with the Rays lineup.
Eovaldi made it through 5⅓ innings, but the Sox were in a 6-5 hole after he gave up a triple on a full-count splitter to Franco with one out in the sixth. Franco laced it down the first-base line and while Hunter Renfroe chased the ball down by the bullpen in foul territory, Wendle raced around to score the go-ahead run.
For the second time this month, Eovaldi was tagged for five-plus runs. He gave up five runs on nine hits two weeks again in Anaheim. The Rays stung him for six runs (five earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and a walk.
“I felt like I didn’t have very good command of my fastball,” Eovaldi said. “I didn’t really feel like I could step on it as well as I usually can, so I was relying more on my off-speed pitches.” Related: Kyle Schwarber ready and willing to try his hand at playing first base
Cora turned to Josh Taylor to deal with a one-out, runner-on-third situation he had only been in two other times this season, giving up a double in one instance and notching a strikeout in the other. This time, Taylor struck out Kevin Kiermaier, then got Meija to ground out to short to keep the damage to a minimum.
The Rays padded their lead in the eighth with an RBI single by Franco and a two-run single from Meija.
“We’re a good team,” Bogaerts said. “We’re really good, we’re just going through a rough stretch right now. Personally, on a team level, it’s been tough. I know tomorrow’s a huge game for us although it’s in August.
“I think a lot of guys are going to be happy for it to be August, to be honest, including me. Can’t wait to see what that month has in store.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 4:10:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 7h
Sox (63-43) have lost 4 of 5. They're in second place for the first time since June 26.
They have been outscored by 20 runs in the last 3 games.
Nick Pivetta vs. Shane McClanahan tomorrow night.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 4:11:54 GMT -5
Dan Shaughnessy @dan_Shaughnessy
The Red Sox "stable" of starters has more meatball artists than Mother Annas in the North End.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 4:13:40 GMT -5
WEEI Red Sox Radio Network @soxbooth · 8h MLB league average with bases loaded: .270
Red Sox team average with bases loaded : .202
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 1, 2021 4:14:10 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 7h First time all year, I’m worried about them. All of them
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