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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 13, 2021 17:55:24 GMT -5
Aggravating NYY game today. The walked Rizzo on four pitches, got two outs, then walked Gardner, all to get to Judge. It's 5-2 in the bottom of the 8th. You do NOT walk anyone. Before you walk Rizzo to lead off the inning, you throw a FB down the middle. Before you walk Gardner, with the tying run on-deck, particularly Judge, you throw a FB right down the middle.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 13, 2021 18:20:43 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6m #RedSox stuff:
Davis and Sawamura are back. Gonsalves and Peacock returned.
Pérez back tomorrow. Barnes pitching on Wed in minors. Back on the weekend.
Sale could be back on the weekend.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 13, 2021 18:39:51 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2m Sale went on the Covid-IL on Sept. 10, but his test came back the 9th. So he's certainly eligible to pitch on Saturday or Sunday.
Guessing he'll find a way to throw a bullpen of some sort this week.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 2:46:59 GMT -5
B2B jacks not enough as Sox slip in WC 2:49 AM ADT
Court Weston
SEATTLE – Back-to-back home runs by Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers in the eighth inning gave Boston hope, but the Red Sox couldn’t complete the comeback, falling 5-4 to the Mariners on Monday night at T-Mobile Park.
Boston’s loss, along with the Yankees’ win over Minnesota, puts the Red Sox into a tie with New York for the second American League Wild Card spot. Boston entered Monday tied with Toronto, but the Blue Jays beat Tampa Bay to claim the top Wild Card spot.
In addition to falling into a tie with their heated rivals, the Red Sox also gave up ground to their current opponent. Seattle is now only two games back of both Boston and New York. Oakland didn’t play Monday and is 2 1/2 games back.
Red Sox relief pitcher Ryan Brasier gave up a three-run shot to Mariners right fielder Mitch Haniger that broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh. Boston responded with consecutive dingers from Bogaerts (21) and Devers (34) the next frame.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 2:48:16 GMT -5
Injuries & Roster Moves: Sawamura activated September 13th, 2021
ROSTER MOVES
Sept. 13: RHP Hirokazu Sawamura reinstated from COVID list Sawamura has been a key bullpen weapon for manager Alex Cora this season. The 33-year-old rookie has pitched in 50 games and has a 3.09 ERA.
Sept. 13: LHP Austin Davis reinstated from paternity list Davis has a 4.61 ERA in 14 appearances with Boston this year. He appeared in 10 games for the Pirates and has a 5.01 ERA in 24 total appearances, overall.
Sept. 13: LHP Stephen Gonsalves optioned to Triple-A Worcester Gonsalves has made three relief appearances in the big leagues this season and has a 4.15 ERA.
Sept. 13: RHP Brad Peacock optioned to Triple-A Worcester Peacock, 33, made two appearances (one start) for Boston after being selected to the Major League roster on Aug. 31, allowing nine runs in 5 1/3 innings. The right-hander is 34-31 with a 4.11 ERA in 183 career big league appearances (84 starts) for the Nationals (2011), Astros ('13-20) and Red Sox ('21).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 2:59:25 GMT -5
Kyle Schwarber’s error opens door for Mariners as defense dooms Red Sox again By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 14, 2021, 1 hour ago
SEATTLE — Manager Alex Cora is fond of saying the Red Sox are a formidable team when they play good defense. The reverse is true in that they’re a frustratingly mediocre team when they don’t.
A slide down the standings with poor fielding as a root cause continued Monday night as four unearned runs led to a 5-4 loss against the Seattle Mariners.
Kyle Schwarber’s two-out misplay of a routine ground ball in the seventh inning opened the door to Seattle scoring three runs.
Down 5-2, the Sox got home runs by Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers in the eighth inning, but fell short in their first game at T-Mobile Park in two and a half years.
Drew Steckenrider finished the game for his ninth save, striking out two.
The Sox have lost six of their last eight games. At 81-65, they are now a game behind the Blue Jays for the first wild card spot. Toronto (81-63) has won 12 of 13.
By percentage points, the Sox are in fourth place in the American League East for the first time since April, but essentially tied with the 80-64 Yankees for the second wild card.
The Mariners (78-66) are two games behind.
Ryan Brasier started the seventh inning in a 2-2 game and got two quick outs before pinch hitter Jake Bauers grounded to first base.
Schwarber, an outfielder playing his fifth career game at first, booted the ball to extend the inning.
“It was in the glove, it squirted out and that was it,” Schwarber said. “I’m frustrated. I wanted to make that play … there’s no excuses.”
J.P. Crawford followed with a single and Mitch Haniger with a home run to left field.
Brasier threw three consecutive sliders, the third low in the strike zone but over the plate, and Haniger didn’t miss it. It was his 33rd homer.
“Not the one we really wanted, but he put a good swing on it,” Cora said.
The Sox have allowed 33 unearned runs since the All-Star break, tops in the American League. Not coincidentally, they are 26-29 since the break.
“It’s frustrating, but we’ve got to keep working at it,” Cora said. “We’ve got to keep putting in the work … at this level you have to be good defensively. We know we can be better.”
But with only 16 games remaining, this is the team the Sox have. To advance to the postseason, they’ll have to overcome their defense.
Red Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez allowed two runs and threw 55 pitches over the first two innings. It could have been worse.
Crawford led off the bottom of the first with a double down the line in left. Haniger followed with a bloop single to center.
A run scored when Ty France grounded into a double play.
Abraham Toro walked to open the second inning. Luis Torrens singled to right field and the ball was kicked by Hunter Renfroe, which allowed Toro to go to third.
It was Renfroe’s 10th error, the most in the majors by an outfielder.
Tom Murphy followed with a sharply hit ball to the shortstop hole that Bogaerts made a nice back-handed stop on to get the force at second as a run scored.
Rodriguez struck out Jarred Kelenic [to finish an 11-pitch at-bat] and Dylan Moore to end the inning.
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Rodriguez didn’t allow another run. He went six innings and threw 107 pitches, his second-most of the season. The Mariners fouling off 33 pitches had a lot to do with that.
“It was a grinder for me, all the way from the first inning to the sixth,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez allowed the one earned run on six hits with one walk and six strikeouts. He retired 15 of the final 18 batters he faced.
Cora thought Rodriguez was pitching well enough to come back out for the seventh, but felt the bullpen was positioned well.
“He had a lot today, you could see it with the fastball,” Cora said. “He did an amazing job.”
Mariners rookie righthander Logan Gilbert, a first-round pick in 2018, struck out nine over six innings and allowed two runs on five hits. Both were produced by José Iglesias.
Iglesias hit his first home run for the Red Sox since 2013 when he drove a slider over the fence in left in the third inning.
Singles by Alex Verdugo, Christian Vázquez, and Iglesias made it 2-2 in the fifth inning. Iglesias’ single was a popup that landed inside the foul line in right field.
With two on and one out, both Kiké Hernández and Schwarber were retired on fly balls to left field.
The Sox are 1-3 on their road trip with two games to go. They have lost 17 of their last 24 games away from Fenway Park.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:01:56 GMT -5
Red Sox notebook Red Sox’ pitching staff revival is coming at the perfect time as they enter the stretch run By Peter Abraham Globe Staff,Updated September 13, 2021, 9:06 p.m.
SEATTLE — At what could be just the right time, the Red Sox are putting their pitching staff back together.
Austin Davis returned from paternity leave and Hirokazu Sawamura was activated off the COVID-19 injured list on Monday before the Sox played the Seattle Mariners.
Martín Pérez is with the team and will “most likely” be activated on Tuesday according to manager Alex Cora.
Matt Barnes is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Portland in Hartford on Tuesday. That would put him in line to be activated on Friday when the team returns to Boston to start a series against the Orioles.
The biggest piece of the puzzle, Chris Sale, could be back as soon as Saturday or Sunday.
For a change, Cora was able to discuss additions instead of subtractions.
“It helps,” he said. “The swing-and-miss stuff and what Davis has done against lefties is very important, especially in this series. We’re going to be able to mix and match.”
Even with a two-week absence, Sawamura is fourth on the team with 50 appearances. The 33-year-old rookie from Japan has averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
“We hate the fact that we missed him for [14] days,” Cora said. “But recharge, reset, and hopefully his fastball and split combination gets some swings and misses.”
Sawamura could have been activated last week. But the Sox had him throw in the bullpen over the weekend to make sure he was sharp.
“I was doing stretches and what I can in my room. That was pretty much it,” Sawamura said through an interpreter.
Barnes pitched a scoreless inning for Worcester on Sunday. He is scheduled for another inning on Wednesday. Related: McWilliams: Despite their inconsistencies and COVID woes, the Red Sox are still in playoff contention as crunch time nears
The righthander allowed 10 earned runs on 12 hits and six walks over 5 ⅔ innings in his 10 appearances before contracting the virus. The hope is the minor league outings will help get him back on track.
Sale, who was asymptomatic, told Cora on Monday that he feels great. He’s at his home in Boston and doing what he can to stay in shape.
“There’s a good chance,” Cora said when asked if Sale could start this weekend against the Orioles.
Translated: Yes he will.
Sale is 3-0 with a 2.52 earned run average in five starts since returning from a two-year absence following Tommy John surgery.
Cora said Sale has a “huge patio” at home with ample room to “throw rocks at the trees.” Presumably the Sox have provided Sale with some baseballs.
The Sox are waiting for clarification from Major League Baseball as to what day Sale can return. Recovery process
Two players who tested positive for COVID-19 and experienced symptoms, infielder Christian Arroyo and outfielder Jarren Duran, are still recovering.
Duran is feeling better but has not started baseball activities. Arroyo was hit harder by the virus but is getting closer to getting back on the field.
To what degree they can help the Sox before the season ends is uncertain. Arroyo has played in only three major league games since July 18. Duran was overmatched in the 33 games he played earlier in the season, hitting .215 with 40 strikeouts in 107 at-bats. Murphy honored
Lefthander Chris Murphy was named the Northeast League pitcher of the week for the second time this season for Double-A Portland. Related: Twins make late New York arrival after problem with plane
Murphy, 23, faced Binghamton on Friday and struck out 11 over six scoreless innings. He allowed two hits without a walk to improve to 3-2 and lower his ERA to 3.86. He has struck out 47 over 32 2/3 innings for the Sea Dogs.
Murphy was a sixth-round pick out of the University of San Diego in 2019. More moves
To make room for Davis and Sawamura on the roster, lefthander Stephen Gonsalves and righthander Brad Peacock were returned to Worcester … Righthanded reliever Eduard Bazardo was activated off the 60-day disabled list and optioned to Worcester. He had been on a rehab assignment with the WooSox since Aug. 29, appearing in five games and allowing four runs on six hits over five innings. He has pitched in only 13 games this season because of a lat strain … Sawamura was happy to be in uniform at T-Mobile Park, which he first visited as a college student. “There’s a significance to playing here,” he said. “This was where I saw my first MLB game.” … Tanner Houck is scheduled to start Wednesday. That game was previously listed as “TBA” for unknown reasons … Nate Eovaldi, who starts Tuesday, has a 1.91 ERA in his last six starts with the Sox winning five of those games. Eovaldi’s 28 starts and 163 ⅔ innings are his most since 2014 and his 171 strikeouts are a career best. “This year he has been so consistent,” Cora said. “Everything so far has been amazing. You look forward to him going out there every five days. You feel that as a manager that for six or seven innings he’s going to be on top of the game.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:07:17 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 3h Defense ultimately is what will send the Red Sox packing without punching a postseason ticket. They are really bad…
Between the Yankees and the Red Sox, this seems like a race toward mediocrity…
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:08:56 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Kyle Schwarber has stopped hitting, and now he's hurt the #RedSox with his glove in Seattle.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:10:22 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 4h Kyle Schwarber hit .344/.468/.609 in his first 18 games for the Sox.
.133/.297/.233 in nine game since. He's struck out 12 times in his last 30 ABs.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:11:07 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 5h The Sox lead the majors in OF assists, which is great.
But a lot of the basic stuff — throwing to the right base, communicating with the other OFs, fielding the ball cleanly before you come up throwing, backing up plays — has been lax.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:12:02 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3h 107 pitches for Rodriguez, his second most of the season.
6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K. Retired 15 of the last 18 he faced.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:13:21 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 3h Alex Cora likes to say the Red Sox are a pretty good team when they play defense.
Left unsaid: They've been a pretty mediocre team for a while now because they haven't.
Sox have lost 5 of 6. They're now tied with the Yankees for the second wild card spot.
Sox are 31-34 since July 1 and 18-22 since Aug. 1.
The Sox are essentially tied with the Yankees. But they're in fourth by percentage point.
First time they've been that deep since April 6.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:13:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 2h Sox have struck out 54 times in four games on this road trip and hit .212.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 14, 2021 3:15:38 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier · 5h Eduardo Rodriguez has allowed the first two batters of each of the first two innings to reach base. He's been constantly scrambling this year based on his struggles against the first batters of innings. First batters of innings have a line of .309/.356/.578 against Rodriguez.
A million foul balls against Rodriguez without swing/misses. Three possibilities: 1) Velo is down. 2) He’s not attacking the top of the zone with his fastball, where he gets swings/misses regardless of velo. 3) He’s had tipping issues in the past. Could they be showing up again?
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