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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 21, 2021 17:44:00 GMT -5
Chris Cotillo @chriscotillo · 54m Red Sox announce roster moves:
* Garrett Whitlock to 10-day IL * Christian Arroyo activated from COVID IL * Ryan Brasier called up from WooSox * Jack López returned to WooSox
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 21, 2021 17:46:38 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Cora on having no defined closer -- 'I like structure. But obviously, where we're at right now, we'll keep it at this.' #RedSox
Cora acknowledges the reality of their postseason roster -- Iglesias is ineligible. Arroyo is the likely second baseman.
But they also need to qualify first. Both will play down the stretch. #RedSox
Cora on second base -- 'We can make adjustments later on with the roster. But right now, this is where we're at.'
'We'll have to make decisions in October.'
'It's important to sit down with the player and explain to him where we're at.' #RedSox
Cora said keeping Kiké Hernandez in center field is 'very important.'
It doesn't sound like he'll be in the mix to be the primary second baseman in October. The #RedSox outfield defense suffers considerably by bringing him in.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 21, 2021 17:47:47 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 3h Cora -- 'We've got some capable guys. Somebody has to step up. We've got Tanner (Houck) down in the bullpen and he'll do his job back there.'
'It doesn't matter who you lose now -- it's a big hit anyway.'
'You don't want to lose guys.' #RedSox
Cora on his possible postseason closer -- 'We've got to get there first. That's the most important thing.'
'There are certain guys who have stepped up.' #RedSox
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 19:37:20 GMT -5
Walk-single-walk-walk-single, and Alonso makes the first out trying to score? It's difficult to make a worse mistake than that.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 19:41:49 GMT -5
I just watched the replay. The throw was 2-3 feet up the RF line, and Alonso was still out by maybe 15 feet.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 19:44:22 GMT -5
Alex Speier @alexspeier In his last start against the Mariners, as pointed out by @ecktionary , Rodriguez changed his hand position from the set - lowering them after a few innings of struggles. He's back to holding hands high in this inning.
Quote Tweet Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 10m No damn way you spit on that change up. He took 2 great change ups late in that AB. Didn’t even offer. No chance that happens. They have his change up and I’ll bet everything I have on it.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 20:19:25 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne Xander just tattooed one. Two-run rocket. It's now 4-2, Red Sox. Made up for DP in last at-bat. ================================================= Not sure what Bogaerts had to make up for. He hit the ball hard, but just straight at the 3B.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 20:42:33 GMT -5
Not sure about leaving Stroman in that long.
In the bottom of the 3rd, he allowed a 2B, HBP, and walk with -0- outs and got out of it.
In the bottom of the 4th, he allowed B2B doubles, one questionable.
In the bottom of the 5th, it was HR, 2B, and HR.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Sept 21, 2021 22:11:02 GMT -5
Cora looks back in the zone again with the BP. Left Brasier in there to face Davis. Then brought in Davis to face L-R-L. Davis allowed a harmless single to the righty, and got both lefties out.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 2:51:13 GMT -5
Fenway confines: Sox roll to 6th straight win 2:11 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
BOSTON -- The Red Sox are a dangerous team at home -- one that seems to have little to no interest in playing the American League Wild Card Game on the road on Oct. 5.
Fenway Park has become an increasingly big factor for manager Alex Cora’s squad, which once again banged the ball over and off walls en route to a 6-3 victory over the Mets in the first of a two-game series on Tuesday night in Boston’s Back Bay.
“We love it here,” said Cora. “We know offensively it’s a different ballgame here. We’ve still got four more games [at home] against two good teams and need to keep it going. Today was a great atmosphere out there. It was a fun atmosphere, so come back tomorrow and be ready to play.”
It was a good start to the second-to-last week of the regular season for the Sox, who ran their winning streak to six games and held serve on a night their top two competitors (the Blue Jays and Yankees) in the Wild Card standings also won.
With 10 games left in their season, the Red Sox (87-65) are in possession of the top Wild Card spot by 1 1/2 games over the Blue Jays and two over the Yankees.
After starting the season 10-11 at Fenway, the Sox are 38-18 in their last 56 home games.
This includes winning the first four games of this final homestand while wearing yellow City Connect uniforms the Sox hadn’t worn since Patriots’ Day weekend in April.
As superstitious as baseball teams are, you can be sure the Red Sox won’t be wearing their home whites again until they lose.
“Hey, we’re on a good run,” said shortstop Xander Bogaerts. “As of now, I don’t anticipate us changing them for tomorrow. If we win tomorrow, hopefully we see it the next day also. I know it’s not white and red. I know we’re not the Yellow Sox also, but we need wins right now. So if it’s yellow, it’s yellow.”
The yellow wasn’t doing the Red Sox any favors early on Tuesday. They trailed, 2-0, in the fourth, but stormed back with their bats and bullpen arms.
The momentum started to change when Kiké Hernández threw a bullet home from center to cut down Pete Alonso, which prevented the Mets from taking a 3-0 lead.
“That throw, that was amazing,” said Cora. “It was a good throw. Right on line. He got to the ball very quick. Basically, he helped [Eduardo Rodriguez] to limit the damage right there.”
Hernández then mashed a game-tying solo shot over the Monster in the fifth against a tough starting pitcher in Marcus Stroman.
Bogaerts, miffed when he hit into a 5-2-3 double play with the bases loaded and nobody out in third, didn’t waste his ensuing opportunities. The star shortstop unloaded for a tiebreaking two-run homer off a light stanchion above the Monster in the fifth. And he came up with the bases loaded again in the sixth and this time ripped a two-run single to increase Boston’s lead to 6-2.
It isn’t just Fenway. Overall, the Red Sox are swinging the bats with authority again, scoring six runs or more in each game during the winning streak.
In their last 21 home games, the Sox have scored 161 runs (7.7 per game) while connecting for 37 homers.
On a night Rodriguez (4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) struggled with his command, the bullpen came through.
Ryan Brasier got perhaps the two biggest outs of the game in the top of the fifth, when the Mets had runners at second and third and one out and didn’t score. Brasier had just been recalled from Triple-A prior to the game due to rookie stud reliever Garrett Whitlock going on the 10-day injured list.
“We were talking about Whit before the game, how big of a loss that is. But whoever comes up, they’ve got to do the job,” said Cora. “Brasier had a chance to come in. He was amazing and gave us a chance to win.”
And win the Red Sox did -- something they continue to do at Fenway no matter if they are wearing white, red or yellow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 2:52:27 GMT -5
Injuries & Moves: Whitlock to IL; Arroyo back September 21st, 2021
ROSTER MOVES
Sept. 21: RHP Garrett Whitlock placed on 10-day IL (retroactive to Sept. 20) with right pectoral strain Arguably Boston’s most important and effective reliever, Whitlock sustained the injury during his outing on Sunday against the Orioles. The Red Sox are hopeful he will be back for the final four games of the regular season. In 45 appearances this season, the rookie righty is 8-4 with a 1.99 ERA.
“We don’t feel it’s that serious, but obviously he’s not going to be ready in the upcoming days and it’s going to be actually closer to 10 days, but we’ll make that move,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Sept. 21: INF Christian Arroyo returned from injury rehab assignment and reinstated from COVID-19 injured list The significance of Arroyo’s return is big. José Iglesias, who has played so well while filling in for Arroyo at second base and in the lineup, is not eligible for the postseason because he wasn’t in Boston’s organization as of Sept. 1. With Iglesias still around to play, Arroyo will have time to get back on his feet before playing a more prominent role. Arroyo said the biggest holdup in his return to action was the right hamstring injury he was dealing with before he went on the COVID-19 IL. When healthy this season, Arroyo has given the Red Sox a lift with his defense and ability to hit lefties.
“I’m feeling great,” said Arroyo. “Excited to be back and playing some meaningful baseball games to help the team win. I think those extra days were good for me. Coming back the first time, my hammy was still a little sore, nothing crazy, but I was building back up while playing and getting used to it again, but it’s feeling good now.”
Sept. 21: RHP Ryan Brasier recalled from Triple-A Worcester Just four days after Brasier was somewhat surprisingly optioned, he came back to fill the void left by Garrett Whitlock. The 34-year-old missed the first 134 games of the season while on the injured list. He's pitched in five games for the Sox, allowing two earned runs in 4 1/3 innings with one strikeout, two walks and nine hits allowed.
Sept. 21: INF Jack López optioned to Triple-A Worcester López was called on a couple of times during Boston’s recent COVID-19 outbreak to provide depth at second base. He played in seven games, going 2-for-13.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 2:55:39 GMT -5
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 5h Xander again. My notifications are quiet
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 3:03:52 GMT -5
Xander Bogaerts powers Red Sox to sixth straight win By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 22, 2021, 12:40 a.m.
The Red Sox inched closer to to making the postseason a reality.
With a large crowd of Mets fans tucked away in Fenway Park’s right-field grandstands, the Red Sox drowned out the sounds of the New York faithful whose team’s playoff chances are all but zero.
The Red Sox beat the Mets, 6-3, Tuesday night to keep their 1½-game lead over the Blue Jays for the top wild-card spot.
The Sox have rattled off six straight wins. They’ve done it four times in their City Connect yellow and baby blue uniforms.
“Hey we’re on a good run,” Xander Bogaerts said. “I don’t anticipate us changing [the uniform] tomorrow.”
Whatever edge can land the Sox in October baseball, even if it’s rooted in superstition, the team will pursue it.
On Tuesday, the Bogaerts-led Sox put on an offensive showing against a worthy pitching staff. Bogaerts belted a two-run shot off Marcus Stroman in the fifth, which put the Sox ahead, 4-2. He then added two more RBIs in the sixth against Brad Hand.
“I try not to chase,” Bogaerts said of the homer off Stroman. “I got myself in a good count, 3-1, and was able to hit a pitch he left pretty much over the middle of the plate.”
Stroman has had success against the Red Sox during his tenure in the big leagues. Heading into Tuesday’s start, the Mets righthander carried a 3.44 ERA when facing the Sox in 14 starts and 86⅓ innings of work.
Through the first three frames Tuesday, the Red Sox couldn’t quite solve Stroman but certainly made him uncomfortable, specifically in the third.
José Iglesias led off with a double down the left-field line. A hit batsman followed by a walk to Kyle Schwarber loaded the bases, giving the Sox their first chance to strike. Nevertheless, they would come up empty as Bogaerts grounded out into a double play and Rafael Devers flied out to shallow left field.
The Sox finally got to Stroman in the fourth aided by a Kevin Pillar blunder. Stroman fanned J.D. Martinez and Alex Verdugo, but Bobby Dalbec’s double kept the frame alive. Christian Vázquez then lined a pitch in the direction of Pillar, who took a step in and got burned as the ball sailed over his head and toward the wall, trimming the Sox’ deficit to one run.
Kiké Hernández stroked a game-tying solo shot off Stroman in the fourth. Later on that inning, Bogaerts delivered the definitive blow with his two-run homer to give the Sox a 4-2 lead.
“I mean we put together good at-bats,” manager Alex Cora said. “He’s a really good pitcher. The way he uses his pitches, his sinker and cutter, he kind of frustrates you.”
On the other side, Eduardo Rodriguez navigated his way through three scoreless innings of his own but he, too, would find himself in a bases-loaded jam.
In the fourth, Rodriguez walked Francisco Lindor, then allowed a Javy Baez single. Rodriguez then walked Pete Alonso and J.D. Davis to bring in the first run of the contest. Michael Conforto’s single to the left side beat the shift, stretching the Mets’ lead to 2-0.
In the sixth, the Sox put two on with two outs against reliever Miguel Castro, forcing the Mets to dig deeper into their bullpen. Hand walked Schwarber and Bogaerts delivered two more runs with a grounder through the right side.
Rodriguez lasted just 4⅓ innings and was replaced by Ryan Brasier with runners on first and third.
“I feel like the first three innings were really good,” said Rodriguez. “And then I ran [away] from the plan and I wasn’t able to throw a pitch in the strike zone.”
Brasier (1-1) steered his way through Rodirguez’s doing, striking out Baez and inducing an Alonso ground out to end the threat.
Darwinzon Hernandez, the sixth Sox pitcher, came on in the ninth and got the final two outs.
The yellow jerseys surrounded by a sea of red aren’t coming off this Sox team — at least not until a loss demands it.
They’ll do anything to discover a night of wild-card baseball in October.
“We need wins right now,” Bogaerts said. “So if it’s yellow, it’s yellow.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 3:06:36 GMT -5
red sox notebook Red Sox place reliever Garrett Whitlock on 10-day IL with pectoral strain By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated September 21, 2021, 11:41 p.m.
The Red Sox placed reliever Garrett Whitlock on the 10-day injured list with a right pectoral strain, manager Alex Cora announced Tuesday ahead of the Sox’ 6-3 win against the visiting Mets.
Although Whitlock had to be removed in the seventh inning of Sunday’s game, Cora said he doesn’t think it’s serious.
Whitlock has a 1.99 ERA in 72⅓ innings to go along with 79 strikeouts and a 1.12 WHIP. The timing of Whitlock’s injury, considering how huge of a role he’s played all year, isn’t ideal with the Sox clinging to a wild-card spot. But the Sox are confident they’ll be able to weather the storm in his absence.
“We got Tanner [Houck] now in the bullpen. So he’ll do his job back there,” Cora said. “And we got some guys that, actually, we were able to reset over the weekend, staying away from them, and they’re fresh.
“It doesn’t matter who you lose now. It’s a big hit anyway. So it doesn’t matter. Whoever you lose now, it’s a big one.”
To fill Whitlock’s spot, the Red Sox recalled Ryan Brasier from Triple A Worcester. Brasier (1-1), who was called on with one out in the fifth, took care of the three men he faced. and got credit for the win. Second chance for Iglesias
José Iglesias has enjoyed playing in a Red Sox uniform. Since being released by the Angels in early September, the veteran infielder — who shifted to second base — has hit .387/.441/.581 in 34 plate appearances, entering Tuesday’s game
“I mean it’s priceless,” Iglesias said regarding his success and a reunion with the Sox. “This is the organization that I came up with [in 2011]. I’m very familiar with the ballpark, the front office, and the players. So this is home for me.
“You know, playing a new position is challenging, but I’m ready to do it. I’m ready to accept the challenge each and every day and help the team any way I can.”
Because Iglesias wasn’t on the Sox’ roster prior to Sept. 1, he won’t be eligible for the postseason. Nevertheless, Iglesias would entertain returning next season, if that opportunity presents itself next season.
“I mean, I just love the game in general,” Iglesias said. “But Fenway Park is special. The Red Sox organization is special. So, for sure, if they would love to have me back we’ll listen to it.” And the award goes to . . .
The Red Sox announced their minor league awards:
▪ Offensive Player of the Year: 2B Nick Yorke.
▪ Defensive Player of the Year: OF Ceddanne Rafaela.
▪ Starting Pitcher of the Year: Brayan Bello.
▪ Relief Pitcher of the Year: Durbin Feltman.
▪ Baserunner of the Year: INF Christian Koss.
▪ Latin Program Position Player of the Year: OF Allan Castro.
▪ Latin Program Pitcher of the Year: Jedixson Paez. Arroyo back in play
The Red Sox activated Christian Arroyo off the COVID-related injured list and returned Jack Lopez to Triple A Worcester. Arroyo last saw major league action Aug. 26 . . . The Mets were off Monday, which gave lefthander Rich Hill a chance to spend extra time at home in Milton with his family. Hill has a 3.88 earned run average in 11 games for the Mets since being acquired from Tampa Bay on June 23 . . . Six New England medalists in the Paralympics were honored before the game: Dani Hansen of Watertown (rowing), Allie Reilly of North Kingstown, R.I. (rowing), Karen Petrik of Glastonbury, Conn. (rowing), Alicia Dana of Putney, Vt. (road cycling), Leanne Smith of Salem (swimming), and Matthew Torres of Ansonia, Conn. (swimming).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Sept 22, 2021 3:13:36 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 5h Xander Bogaerts said the #RedSox will wear the City Connect jerseys so long as they keep winning.
He's also currently mixing in a pair of Luis Robert custom cleats. Asked the White Sox outfielder for a pair during their recent series. He liked the look of them.
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