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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 2:58:34 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 4h Red Sox current COVID cases:
Kiké Hernández: positive Christian Arroyo: positive Matt Barnes: positive Martín Pérez: positive Strength and Conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose: positive Ramón Vázquez: positive Josh Taylor: close contact Tom Goodwin: close contact
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:14:49 GMT -5
Offense quiet, defense deficient as Rays again beat COVID-wracked Red Sox By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated August 30, 2021, 10:36 p.m.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. ― In the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak in the Red Sox clubhouse, there was still a game to be played Monday evening. They did not win it, falling nine games behind the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays, 6-1, thanks in large part to more shoddy defense.
Boston trailed from its first pitch, a Nick Pivetta fastball that Brandon Lowe sent 441 feet for his 31st home run. It was just a three-run deficit entering the bottom of the eighth, but the way the Rays controlled the contest, the margin felt as if it were larger than that. So, when the Rays tacked on two more, it all but put the Red Sox out of their misery.
It was Tampa’s 12th win in 13 games, and it is 8-2 in its last 10 head-to-head meetings with Boston.
“They got a good team,” manager Alex Cora said. “They do a lot of things right. They pitch. They play good defense. They run the bases well. They do things that good teams do.”
The visitors quickly answered Lowe’s homer, a Luis Patiño fastball leaving Bobby Dalbec’s bat at 114.1 miles per hour for his 18th home run, the seventh in a hot month for the first baseman.
They had just four singles the rest of the night, however, and Pivetta faced his usual grind-it-out moments.
He issued five walks, one intentional, and was unable to locate his fastball. He got away with walking the leadoff hitter in the second, but not the third, when he walked Lowe. Lowe advanced to second on a wild pitch, to third on a Wander Franco groundout, then put the Rays in front for good on Austin Meadows’s two-out RBI single.
“I wouldn’t say I [was] pleased,” Pivetta said. “I think I hold myself to a higher standard than that. I need to limit my walks, limit base runners. I think it just all comes down to that at the end of the day.”
Pivetta’s outing had some misfortune in it, too, via the sloppy play that has followed the Sox for the last month-plus. Nick Pivetta allowed four runs in five innings of work.
Kevin Kiermaier roped a two-out double in the fourth. Pivetta struck out Mike Zunino on a curveball in the dirt, but instead of blocking it, catcher Christian Vázquez attempted to pick it. It got by him, allowing Kiermaier to advance to third and Zunino to reach first.
Lowe made it 3-1 on a chopper to the right side, with Pivetta’s pitch count at 83 by the end of the inning. Pivetta worked a scoreless fifth and came back out for the sixth, but a leadoff single and a walk ended his night.
Tampa made it 4-1 against Hansel Robles, who walked Lowe to load the bases, then got no help when Rafael Devers muffed a routine grounder.
Robles stranded the bases loaded, but while the Sox offense did little, the Rays added two insurance runs in the eighth off Raynel Espinal. Espinal was called up before the game when Martín Pérez and Matt Barnes went on the COVID-related injured list after testing positive Monday afternoon.
“At the end of the inning, it’s a 4-1 [game],” Cora said. “But, obviously, we were short.”
Even more short than they were leading into this, the first game of a four-game set with the Rays. In addition to Barnes and Pérez, quality control coach Rámon Vázquez tested positive for COVID-19. Tom Goodwin didn’t coach first base after he was deemed a close contact, and Josh Taylor was removed from the field after he was declared a close contact during the fifth inning.
The Red Sox, one of the few teams not at the league’s 85 percent vaccination threshold, have six positive cases and two close contacts. Asked afterward if he was frustrated by the outbreak, Cora said he wasn’t.
“I’m just tired to be honest with you,” he said. “To be thinking about it the whole time and and have to deal with this before a game and during the game and all that. Honestly, that’s how I feel right now.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:18:10 GMT -5
RED SOX Notebook Red Sox COVID-19 outbreak grows to five players, including Martín Pérez, Matt Barnes By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated August 30, 2021, 5:06 p.m.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The COVID-19 outbreak within the Red Sox is growing.
Both Martín Pérez and Matt Barnes went on the COVID-19 injured list following positive tests Monday, hours before the critical four-game series with the Rays. After the 6-1 loss, Cora said that quality control coach Rámon Vázquez tested positive as well.
The team is going through extensive testing to determine who else might have contracted the virus. Tom Goodwin did not coach first base in Monday’s game due to being a close contact. He was replaced by bench coach Will Venable, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Toronto on Aug. 7 and was forced to quarantine in Canada.
Reliever Josh Taylor also was considered a close contact and had to be removed from the field in the fifth inning.
The Sox have six positive cases, including Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo, and strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose, plus two close contacts.
“It’s not easy,” said Cora after the game, who admitted he was fatigued regarding all the COVID issues. “But it’s not only happening here but all over the world. That’s the way I see it. And I’m just glad that the people that are positive, feel OK.”
The timing of this outbreak couldn’t be worse for the Sox, who haven’t reached (and likely won’t) the 85 percent vaccination threshold at which Major League Baseball allows for relaxed protocols. Monday was the first of seven games with American League-leading Tampa in 10 days, and the Red Sox sit nine games behind the Rays with 29 to play.
“They’ve done an amazing job lately, separating themselves from us,” Cora said of Tampa before the game. “It’s still there because we’ve got seven games against them. But at the same time, you have to be realistic. You got to start playing better baseball for that to happen. We’ll take it day by day. That’s something that with everything that’s going on, is a reminder that we better stay in the present.”
The Red Sox were 2½ games behind the Yankees for the right to host the wild-card game pending New York’s game at the Angels, and two games ahead of Oakland for the AL’s final playoff berth.
With the Sox as taxi-squad members are pitchers Phillips Valdez, Raynel Espinal, and John Schreiber; catcher Connor Wong; and infielder Jack Lopez. To replace Barnes and Pérez, the Sox added Valdez and Espinal, who pitched the final two innings Monday and surrendered two runs. Picking up Brad Peacock
The Red Sox acquired starter Brad Peacock from the Indians for cash considerations. Peacock is in St. Petersburg, and there’s a chance he could be activated for Tuesday’s contest.
After spending eight years with the Astros, Peacock became a free agent in October, then signed with Cleveland on June 25. Assigned to Triple A Columbus, he posted a 7.68 ERA in 11 games, 10 of which were starts.
The Sox have Chris Sale working on six days of rest for the last time Wednesday, which could clear Tuesday for Peacock. Ryan Yarbrough (7-4, 4.57 ERA) will start for the Rays.
“We will address it,” Cora said in terms of Tuesday’s starter. “We’ll talk obviously. We’ll see where we’re at. [But] there’s a lot of stuff going on right now.” No mandate
The Houston Astros and Washington Nationals have mandated COVID-19 vaccines for all non-uniformed personnel. The Red Sox are not ready to take that step. Team president Sam Kennedy said 98 percent of the team’s full-time employees in Boston are vaccinated. The team also has employees in Florida, the Dominican Republic, and scattered throughout the country in scouting roles. “Currently, we do not have a ‘one size fits all’ policy as it relates to vaccination,” Kennedy said. “We have strongly encouraged all members of our organization to get vaccinated. We will continue to review our protocols and revise them as needed based on guidance and data from medical experts and public health officials — a practice we have maintained since the start of the pandemic” . . . Hunter Renfroe, who was on bereavement leave, returned to the team Monday and will likely be added to the active roster Tuesday.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:23:35 GMT -5
I did as well
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 6h Pivetta five walks tonight. After that last one to Zunino, he lets out a big expletive. His night is over with two runners on. Hansel Robles in. Let's see how this goes.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:25:31 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 6h J.D. Martinez described modern #MLB pitching as stuff over command. I'd say this Hansel Robles chart is what he meant.
Less pitches in the zone than out, but he still could have three outs in the 6th. Rafael Devers error was at least one, then a weak pop, then a K. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:26:53 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Alex Cora on Nick Pivetta -- 'He battled.'
'It was a weird one.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'I'm just tired to have to be thinking about this the whole time.'
'The season part, all that stuff -- that's the easy part for me. But to have to deal with all this, it's not easy.'
'It's not the same.' #RedSox
Cora -- 'If I feel down I know somebody will text me or call me or pick me up. But right now, like I told the coaches, now is not the time to quit.'
'We'll be okay. We'll show up tomorrow.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:27:25 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Cora on vaccination -- 'It's a choice. We always said that. But it's kind of like now, we got this going, the rules, the timing...'
'The front office, they deal with it. And we go from there.' #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:28:50 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Replying to @billkoch25 Cora on the Rays -- 'They've got a good team. They do a lot of things right.' #RedSox
Cora on the #RedSox COVID situation -- 'It is what it is. It's part of life. I've been saying it all along.'
'I'm just glad the people who tested positive feel okay. They're going to be okay. On the professional side of it, we've just got to keep grinding.' #RedSox
Cora on COVID -- 'Hopefully tomorrow we're okay. That's what I pray for -- for this to be the end of it.'
'This part of it is not comfortable. It's not easy. Like I said on Feb. 10, this was one of my biggest fears.' #RedSox
Cora said Josh Taylor and Tom Goodwin are both close contacts. They're in COVID-19 quarantine.
Ramon Vazquez tested positive. That's now six members of the #RedSox travel party -- four players, two coaches.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:29:20 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Cora said he'll talk with the staff tonight about a Tuesday starter. They're likely to name one tomorrow. #RedSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:30:20 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Cora said he'll talk with the staff tonight about a Tuesday starter. They're likely to name one tomorrow. #RedSox
Update on the #RedSox COVID positives -- Kiké Hernandez, Christian Arroyo, Martin Perez, Matt Barnes, Ramon Vazquez, Kiyoshi Momose
Close contacts -- Josh Taylor, Tom Goodwin
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:32:40 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6h
Sox now 9 games out of first in the division with 29 remaining.
Sox are 10-17 vs. the Rays, Yankees and Jays since the All-Star break.
Sox went from May 15 to Aug. 3 without a Covid issue. 14 incidents since (positive tests or close contacts) involving players, coaches or staffers.
Cora did not name a starter for tomorrow. More likely they have no idea at the moment.
Brad Peacock went 5.1 IP on Friday. He also has allowed 9 ER over 14.1 IP in his last three AAA games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:38:14 GMT -5
Alex Cora managing Boston Red Sox’s COVID outbreak: ‘I’m just tired to be honest with you’ Updated: 1:42 a.m. | Published: 1:33 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Cora is managing not only the Boston Red Sox. He’s managing a major COVID outbreak.
The Red Sox lost 6-1 to the Rays here at Tropicana Field on Monday. But what is happening off the field is a more serious issue.
Four players and two coaches have tested positive for COVID-19 since Friday. Two others are quarantining after being identified as close contacts.
Cora is dealing with great uncertainty. He has no idea whether tomorrow will bring additional positive tests.
“The way I see it, just keep grinding, keep going,” Cora said. “It’s not easy. It’s a lot tougher today than yesterday. And yesterday was tougher than the day before. And hopefully, tomorrow we’re OK. Hopefully. That’s what I pray for. Like for this to be the end of it and then it’s all about baseball and making plays, putting the ball in play, pitching and all that stuff. This part is not comfortable. It’s not easy. But like I said Feb. 10 (the first day of spring training), that was one of my biggest fears and it still is.”
The Red Sox are one of just seven MLB teams that has not reached the 85% vaccination threshold.
“The front office, they deal with it and I just listen and go from there,” said Cora who is fully vaccinated. “It’s something that we’ve been talking about it the whole time. But at the end, it’s a personal choice and we are where we’re at percentage-wise. Everybody knows it. And we can’t hide that fact. But still, we were doing a great job. It just happened now and we’ve got to keep going.”
Kiké Hernández, Christian Arroyo, Matt Barnes and Martin Pérez all are on the COVID-related injured list after testing positive. Quality control coach Ramon Vázquez and strength and conditioning coach Kiyoshi Momose also tested positive for coronavirus.
Reliever Josh Taylor is out indefinitely. He’s quarantining after being identified as a close contact in the middle of the game Monday.
First base coach Tom Goodwin also is considered a close contact. He’s quarantining. Bench coach Will Venable coached first base Monday in Goodwin’s absence.
“I’m just tired to be honest with you, to be thinking about it the whole time and have to deal with this before a game and during the game and all that,” Cora said “Honestly, that’s how I feel right now. The season part, all that stuff, that’s the easy part for me. But having to deal with everything that has to do with this, it’s not easy.”
Cora said he loves preparing for games by watching video and talking with hitters and pitchers. But there’s so much more to deal with than baseball.
“Now it’s not the same,” Cora said. “That’s why I always say, what (then manager) Ron (Roenicke) did last year was amazing — was amazing. To deal with everything they had to go through. And the way he did it, it was great. I respect that guy. And I respect everybody that’s involved in this. From a personal level, it’s a challenging one. But I’ll be OK. I’ve got a good group of guys. I work for a great organization. I’ve got my family that supports me. If I feel down, I know someone will text me or call me and pick me up.”
This is the worst possible time for an outbreak. Twenty-nine games remain in Boston’s regular season. The Red Sox are fighting for a postseason spot and have played under .500 (12-15) in August. They can’t afford to lose more players to the COVID-related IL.
“Right now, as I told the coaches, this is not the time to quit,” Cora said. “This is not the time to feel sorry about us. We’ve got to keep pushing these guys to be great like we’ve done the whole season. Is it a challenge? Of course it’s a challenge. It’s not easy. A lot of teams have gone through (it). It’s just kind of like the timing of it, right? It’s a little bit tougher. But we’ll be OK. We’ll show up tomorrow. I’ve always said, ‘When? Where? And we’ll be there.’ And we’ll play with energy and try to win a ballgame.”
Cora said Barnes — who tested positive right before Monday’s game — is feeling OK. Hernández has experienced symptoms but he’s feeling better. Momose feels weak.
“It’s not easy but it’s not only happening here,” Cora said. “It’s happening all over the world. That’s the way I see it. I’m just glad that the people who tested positive, they feel OK. They’re going to be OK. On the professional side of it, we’ve just got to keep grinding. Nobody’s going to stop the tournament because we have X-amount of cases and X-amount of guys that are close contact. They’re not going to stop this. I think we went through that early in the season. But not now. Not now. They’re not going to do that. So we’ve just got to find way to keep competing and going out there and try to win ballgames. That’s what we have to do as a group.
“Tomorrow’s another day and we have to prepare the same way we did today and keep going and going and going. We still have a good team. We’re in a position to make it to the playoffs. We know there’s going to be guys coming back. I don’t know when but they will come back.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:40:32 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 9h Dalbec since August 13th with a 19.5% strikeout rate
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:42:33 GMT -5
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 6h The 5 walks allowed tonight by #RedSox Nick Pivetta matched a career high (3rd time, first since October 1, 2017 with #Phillies vs #Mets).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Aug 31, 2021 3:43:58 GMT -5
Red Sox Nation Stats @rsnstats · 5h #RedSox Manager Cora: "On the professional side of it, we just got to keep grinding. No one is going to stop the tournament because we have X amount of cases [of COVID]…We just got to find ways to keep competing…try to win ball games."
#RedSox Manager Cora on managing in the time of COVID: "On a personal level, it's a challenging one. But I'll be OK. I got a good group of guys…work for a great organization. I got my family that supports me. If I feel down, I know somebody will call me or text me, pick me up."
#RedSox Manager Cora: "We still have a good team. We're in a position to make it to the playoffs. There are going to be guys coming back. I don't know when, but they will come back…It's a lot tougher today than yesterday, and yesterday was tougher than the day before."
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