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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:04:22 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 5h Cora on Sale: ‘He got to work. Stuff-wise, he found it after the third inning…Whenever he needed his fastball at certain spots, he was able to execute. … This is April for him.’
Cora on Sale (cont): ‘There’s more in the tank…I think he’s going to keep getting better.’
Sale said he is ‘appreciative’ of where he is but not satisfied. ‘If you’re satisfied you’re not trying to get better.’
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:06:03 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 5h Bogaerts on hitting his 20th Homer on anniversary of his big league debut: ‘I definitely didn’t homer in my big league debut. I was so nervous…I’ve come a long way. I’ve learned a lot. I went through ups and downs so I cherish every moment I have now.’
Bogaerts on Kyle Schwarber: ‘What I’ve noticed is it’s really hard to get him out.’
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:11:28 GMT -5
Chris Sale stops Boston Red Sox’s losing streak; ‘That’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to win games’ Updated: 11:59 p.m. | Published: 11:59 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
BOSTON — Manager Alex Cora planned to send Red Sox ace Chris Sale back to the mound for the sixth Friday against the Rangers after he had thrown 5 scoreless innings.
“He was going to come out but then the (fifth) inning got long so it’s kind of like taking care of him,” Cora explained.
The Red Sox scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 5-0 lead and Cora instead went to his bullpen. Sale’s day — another successful day — ended at 71 pitches.
The Red Sox won 6-0 over the Rangers here at Fenway Park.
The lefty tossed 5 scoreless innings and allowed five hits and one walk while striking out five. He improved to 2-0 in two starts back from Tommy John surgery.
“The pitch count was good. It was one of those that he had to work,” Cora said. “Stuff-wise, he found it after the third inning. He was talking about his mechanics. They were a little bit off early on. But then whenever he needed the fastball in certain spots, he was able to execute. And it was a good one. Like I said before, this is April for him.”
Sale has allowed two runs, 11 hits and one walk while striking out 13 in 10 innings over his two starts.
He played the role of stopper here Friday, ending Boston’s three-game losing streak. It was just like the old days.
“That’s what I’m here to do,” Sale said. “I’m here to win games. Obviously I understand where I’m coming from. I had surgery on my arm. I’m coming back. I just got out of a rehab assignment and now I’ve got two starts in the big leagues. But I’ve never really thought about it like that. I have a job here to do and my job is to win games. Given the circumstances, obviously we didn’t play well in New York. That series got away from us. To be able to come here and post up and get us on the right track, that’s my job. It’s what I’m supposed to do.
“I’ve had two games where the run support has been unbelievable,” Sale added.
Sale also praised the defense, specifically J.D. Martinez’s catch to end the fourth and Kiké Hernández-Xander Bogaerts’ double play in the fifth inning.
“I don’t succeed without those plays happening,” he said.
The lefty threw 42 four-seam fastballs, averaging 92.1 mph and topping out at 95.9 mph, per Baseball Savant. He also mixed in 16 sliders and 13 changeups. He recorded seven swings-and-misses, including five with his fastball.
“I think I was a little bit more consistent today,” Sale said. “I had a couple pitches that I was fighting against myself. But for the most part, it felt like for me anyways that the more the game went on, the more kind of in sync everything was. And everything just had a little bit more life to it at the end.”
Sale has recorded 23 swings-and-misses through two starts: 15 with his fastball, four with his changeup and four with his slider, which is his best secondary pitch.
“That’s one of my tools I’m still sharpening,” Sale said about the slider. “It’s weird because I had a really good feel for it a few weeks ago. And just over the last couple — like I said, I’m fighting myself right now. I have some things I have to get better at. And that’s one of them. It will get there. I know it will. It’s just little things right now with getting my arm out and fighting my front side. Consistency will come with repetition.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:13:18 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 5h Red Sox offense finally bounced back with 9 hard hit line drives, 3 walks, and only 5 K.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:17:06 GMT -5
4 takeaways as the Red Sox shutout the Rangers 6-0 Chris Sale made his second start of the season while Xander Bogaerts had some key hits.
By Conor Roche August 20, 2021
The Red Sox got exactly what they needed on Friday: A strong performance from their starting pitcher, runs, and most importantly, a win.
Following a dreadful three-game sweep to the Yankees, the Red Sox shutout the Rangers 6-0 on Friday night to take the first game of a three-game set. Here’s what happened at Fenway. The big picture.
Boston’s bats got going from the jump, scoring a run in each of the first two innings to get a 2-0 lead. A Xander Bogaerts single knocked in Kiké Hernández from second in the first inning while Hernández singled to score Christian Vázquez from third in the second inning.
A three-run fifth inning started with a Bogaerts home run and continued when Alex Verdugo doubled to score Kyle Schwarber and J.D. Martinez. The Sox got their final run of the night in the next inning when Hernández’s fielder’s choice allowed Jarren Duran to score from third.
On the mound, Chris Sale made his second start of the season. Just like his first start, Sale just went five innings, striking out five hitters, allowing one walk and five hits. Star of the game.
Xander Bogaerts — 2-for-4, one home run, two RBIs.
Bogaerts showed why he hits in the coveted third spot in the lineup on Friday night. His first-inning single to score Hernández following his leadoff double was a nice showing of situational hitting to ensure the Sox didn’t leave runners in scoring position early on.
After getting shutout for two-plus innings, Bogaerts roped one down the left-field line and straight over the Green Monster to get Boston’s bats going again.
“I feel we play our best baseball here,” Bogaerts told NESN after the game. “We had a tough couple games back in New York. It doesn’t matter who we play right now. We need wins.”
Bogaerts also complimented the Sox’ offense.
“It makes the pitcher a little bit uncomfortable,” Bogaerts said of the Red Sox’s extra-base hits. “Obviously no pitcher wants to be in any type of trouble with runners on. I think we did a good job at not swinging at balls and staying with our approach.” What it means.
At the very least, the Red Sox weren’t completely demoralized following their three-game sweep to the Yankees. Losing to a 42-79 Rangers team with Sale on the mound would’ve made anyone who hasn’t hit the panic button smash it.
But Boston was in control throughout, getting back into the win column. The Red Sox continue to show they can defeat the bad teams, with this win coming a week after their three-game demolition of the Orioles.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, they won’t gain ground on the Yankees for one of the wild card spots on Friday as they defeated the Twins. The Athletics begin a three-game series against MLB-leading Giants on Friday. Takeaways
1. The Red Sox didn’t increase Chris Sale’s workload in his second start back. As mentioned earlier, he threw the same amount of innings in Friday’s start (five) as he did in his first start against the Orioles last Saturday.
One noticeable difference in Friday’s start was that Sale threw just 71 pitches following his 89-pitch outing last Saturday. Prior to Sale’s first start back, Red Sox manager Alex Cora stated that the team would treat him like it’s the beginning of the season. Through two games, they’ve stuck with that.
With Sale looking solid in relatively limited action, Cora’s excited to see how his ace will look when he starts to pitch more innings.
“There’s more in the tank. We know that,” Cora told reporters. “Although we felt that same way in 2019 and it never happened. The more repetitions he gets, the more he plays in this environment — nothing against the minor leagues — it’s not the same thing. The competition, the preparation, it takes a toll on you. I think he’s going to keep getting better.”
“We’re very pleased with where he’s at. At one point, we’re going to let him go and he will contribute.”
2. After a rough Tuesday in The Bronx, the Red Sox bullpen put up a second straight impressive outing with a high workload. Boston’s bullpen didn’t give up a run on Friday, allowing just two hits and a walk over four innings.
Hansel Robles and Austin Davis each put up a solid inning in the sixth and seventh, respectively. Robles struck a hitter out and Davis avoided trouble when Andy Ibanez was tagged out on the basepaths after allowing a hit.
Hirokazu Sawamura had his best outing in over two weeks, striking out two Rangers and didn’t allow any on base in the eighth inning. Matt Barnes followed that up by striking out the side in order in the ninth. Friday’s game was just Barnes’s second appearance in the last nine games, showing signs of his pre-All-Star break self following much-needed rest.
3. The Red Sox’s bats got back on track Friday night. Six doubles, each coming from different hitters, plus a home run from a seventh hitter (Bogaerts) strung together six runs for Boston on Friday, one more than what it scored in its three-game set against New York.
Cora was a fan of what he saw from his team’s hitters.
“It was a good one,” Cora said. “We still have to get better in certain situations. But Bobby with a sac fly to right field with a man at second, Kike going the other way, Christian doing the same thing. The contact play with Jarren, that worked too. There were a lot of positives. Not too many negatives. But we still have to get better in certain aspects and we will.”
4. While Kyle Schwarber has yet to make an impact on the field, his bat is certainly making one. Playing as a designated hitter for his fifth game with the Red Sox, Schwarber continued to get on base. He went 2-for-2 with a double and drew two walks.
Since joining Boston, Schwarber’s reached base in 10 of his 18 plate appearances. He’s doubled three times and has scored at least once in each of his three games at Fenway.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 3:32:03 GMT -5
Rangers @ Red Sox Saturday 21rst August 2021 7pm @ Fenway
Kyles 5-10/5.55
Jordan Lyles allowed five runs over six innings on Saturday to take the loss versus the Athletics. The 30-year-old struck out five and did not walk a batter, but when you allow four home runs the results are unlikely to swing your way. Lyles allowed a pair of bombs to Matt Chapman while also being taking yards by Matt Olson and Mitch Moreland during the contest. The right-hander now drops to 5-10 on the year with a 5.55 ERA and 1.48 WHIP across 131 1/3 innings.
E-rod 9-6/4.97
Eduardo Rodriguez was charged with one run (zero earned) over six innings on Sunday in a win over the Orioles. Rodriguez racked up six strikeouts and only issued three walks. He generated 13 swinging strikes and finished with a solid 31 percent CSW (called strikes plus whiffs). The 28-year-old left-hander has been extremely inconsistent from a run prevention standpoint, but has turned in the occasional brilliant outing.
Texas Rangers vs. Boston Red Sox Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 7:10pm EDT Written by Chris Kubala
A pair of American League teams in different situations in regards to the playoff picture continue a series up in Beantown. The Texas Rangers are on the road as they play the middle game of a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox Saturday night. Texas was swept at home in a three-game series by Seattle as they were beaten 9-8 in 11 innings Thursday afternoon. Boston was swept in a three-game road set with the Yankees as they fell 5-2 in the series finale Wednesday. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the series opener at Fenway Park on Friday night.
Texas Rangers Buried in AL West Cellar Texas dropped their third straight game and their sixth in the last eight contests despite a gritty rally to get back into the contest as they fell in extra innings against the Mariners. The Rangers entered Friday in the basement of the AL West, 29 games behind the Astros for the top spot. In the AL wild-card race, the Rangers are buried, 26.5 games behind the A’s for the second wild-card spot. On Thursday, Texas trailed 7-2 before scoring five times in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game only to lose in extra innings. Adolis Garcia (two runs, RBI) was the lone player with two hits for the Rangers in the game. Garcia (his 27th) and Jason Martin (his fourth) each homered in a losing effort for Texas. Spencer Howard gave up five runs on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts over two innings though he didn’t factor in the decision. Joe Barlow (0-1) took the loss as he allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit with no walks and two strikeouts over two innings of relief.
Jordan Lyles is on the mound as he takes the ball for the 25th time this season and logs his 24th start for the Rangers here. He comes in 5-10 with a 5.55 ERA, a 1.477 WHIP, 43 walks and 105 strikeouts while allowing 31 homers in 131.1 innings of work. Lyles took the loss in his last start, which came at home against the A’s last Saturday. He threw 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits with no walks and five strikeouts in an 8-3 Rangers defeat. On the road this season, Lyles is 2-7 with a 5.85 ERA, a 1.469 WHIP, 23 walks and 61 strikeouts over 64.2 innings in 12 starts. Lyles makes his fourth career start against the Red Sox in this contest. He is 0-1 with an 8.56 ERA, a 2.049 WHIP, 10 walks and 13 strikeouts over 13.2 innings of work against them. Lyles, in his 282nd career appearance and 176th career start, pitches at Fenway Park for the first time in this contest.
Boston Red Sox Looking to Regroup Boston was swept on the road by the Yankees earlier this week and entered Friday losers of 14 of their previous 20 games. The Red Sox entered Friday’s action third in the AL East, 6.5 games behind the Rays for the division lead. In the AL wild-card race, the team was half a game behind the A’s for the second wild-card spot. On Wednesday, Boston finished with four hits in the game with no player having more than one in the contest. Xander Bogaerts (his 19th) and Hunter Renfroe (his 22nd) each homered in the loss for the Red Sox. Nick Pivetta (9-6) took the loss as he allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and one strikeout over 1.2 innings.
Eduardo Rodriguez gets the ball for his 24th start of the season for the Red Sox in this contest. He comes in 9-6 with a 4.97 ERA, a 1.362 WHIP, 35 walks and 145 strikeouts over 116 innings of work this season. Rodriguez earned the win in his last start, which came Sunday at home against the Orioles. He threw six innings, allowing one run (none earned) on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts in a 6-2 Red Sox win. Pitching at home this season, Rodriguez is 4-2 with a 5.16 ERA, a 1.257 WHIP, 14 walks and 59 strikeouts over 45.1 innings of work spanning nine starts. This marks Rodriguez’s sixth career start against the Rangers. He comes in 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA, a 1.364 WHIP, 11 walks and 33 strikeouts over 29.1 innings of work against them. Rodriguez is 28-16 with a 4.14 ERA, a 1.307 WHIP, 136 walks and 416 strikeouts over 393.1 innings in 74 career appearances, 70 starts, at Fenway Park.
Rangers at Red Sox Saturday, at 7:10 PM EST Partly Cloudy According to Forecast.io, it's expected to be 76° F with a 4% chance of rain and 7 MPH wind blowing right to left in Boston at 7:10 PM EST. Hourly Forecasts: Weather.com Forecast.io
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 7:43:47 GMT -5
Rangers and Red Sox have a mutual day off Monday would not be shocked if they bang Sunday's game today looking nasty tomorrow.....and all the New England State honchos are telling folk to stay the hell home on Sunday...
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Post by Kimmi on Aug 21, 2021 8:45:03 GMT -5
A win! A win!
Against the Rangers, but I'll take it.
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Post by Kimmi on Aug 21, 2021 8:45:42 GMT -5
Rangers and Red Sox have a mutual day off Monday would not be shocked if they bang Sunday's game today looking nasty tomorrow.....and all the New England State honchos are telling folk to stay the hell home on Sunday... I am guessing that this will be the case.
Stay safe.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 9:34:52 GMT -5
Well looks like the farm is being proactive
This could effect the returns of Arroyo and Brasier
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 40m An early Sunday cancellation for the @woosox with Henri due to lash the greater New England region. Saturday's game is on as scheduled. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 9:50:18 GMT -5
Game 125: Rangers at Red Sox lineups and pregame notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated August 21, 2021, 1 hour ago Having notched a fairly straightforward win over the Rangers on Friday, the Red Sox return to Fenway on Saturday night hoping for more of the same. Eduardo Rodriguez is on the hill for the Sox, entering the weekend pitching his strongest month of the season - the lefthander is 2-0 with a 1.10 ERA in three starts in August, striking out 24 batters in 16 ⅓ innings while walking only eight. Jordan Lyles will throw for Texas, the journeyman starter having a much less successful month than his opposite number. The righthander is 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA in August, allowing 17 earned runs in 17 innings thus far. Lineups RANGERS (42-80): 1. Brock Holt (L) 3B 2. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) SS 3. Adolis Garcia (R) RF 4. DJ Peters (R) CF 5. Nathaniel Lowe (L) 1B 6. Yohel Pozo (R) DH 7. Nick Solak (R) 2B 8. Andy Ibanez (R) LF 9. Jose Trevino (R) C Pitching: RHP Jordan Lyles (5-10, 5.55 ERA) RED SOX (70-54): 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) 2B 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Kyle Schwarber (L) DH 5. J.D. Martinez (R) LF 6. Alex Verdugo (L) CF 7. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 8. Christian Vazquez (R) C 9. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B Pitching: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (9-6, 4.97 ERA) Time: 7:10 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Rangers vs. Rodriguez: García 0-2, Kiner-Falefa 4-10, Lowe 1-2, Solak 2-6, Trevino 1-5 Red Sox vs. Lyles: Bogaerts 0-2, Dalbec 0-2, Devers 1-2, Hernández 0-0, Martinez 1-3, Renfroe 1-6, Schwarber 2-6, Shaw 0-2, Verdugo 0-3, Vázquez 2-2 Stat of the day: Friday’s shutout was just the Sox’ fifth of the year, tied for 20th in the majors. Notes: In Friday’s 6-0 win, Boston scored more runs than it did during the entirety of its three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees during the week ... The Red Sox have won 10 of Rodriguez’s past 15 starts, including when he held the Baltimore Orioles to one unearned run over six innings last time out ... Rodriguez is 3-0 with a 4.91 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers. He took a no-decision on May 1 in Arlington, Texas, allowing four runs over five innings ... The Rangers have dropped four straight and 13 of their past 16 as they look toward the finish line of a lost season. Texas is 14-46 on the road following Friday’s shutout loss ... Lifetime against the Red Sox, Lyles is 0-1 with an 8.56 ERA in three starts. He surrendered five runs over four innings in a no-decision vs. Boston pitching opposite Rodriguez in May ... The Sox enter Saturday 1 ½ games back of the Yankees in the wild card race and 5 ½ back of the Rays in the division. Song of the Day: Eurythmics "Here Comes the Rain Again"www.youtube.com/watch?v=pohZ0dqaP64
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 12:55:22 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 1h Jump is feet covered by outfielders in the correct direction in the first 3 seconds after contact
Kiké 37.4' - 1st/197 outfielders 562 innings, +11 def runs saved
Duran 31.0' - 169th/197 outfielders 169 innings, -3 def runs saved
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 14:20:55 GMT -5
Christopher Smith @smittyonmlb · 38s Cora on the Red Sox playing Sunday: "Obviously the chances are very slim."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 14:36:12 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 17m Alex Cora joining us on Zoom. #RedSox
Cora on Kyle Schwarber and his approach -- 'Whenever he's struggling, he can take his walks.'
'That's something he brings to the equation.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'Not every at-bat can be just swing, swing, swing. He slows it down. He makes the opposition work.'
Could see Schwarber hit second at some point to balance off Hernandez's aggressiveness atop the lineup. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 21, 2021 14:36:47 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 17m Cora on J.D. Martinez playing the outfield -- 'He's doing well. We stay in constant communication.'
'He's moving well.'
'You put him in a spot and he'll give you full effort to make the plays.' #RedSox
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