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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 11:25:50 GMT -5
Red Sox Announce ALCS Roster
By Steve Adams | October 15, 2021 at 11:04am CDT
The Red Sox on Friday announced their roster for their forthcoming ALCS date with the Astros. It’s largely the same collection of names, although Boston has shuffled up its bullpen mix. Right-hander Hirokazu Sawamura and lefty Darwinzon Hernandez have both been added, while righty Matt Barnes and lefty Austin Davis have been removed. Barnes was initially omitted from Boston’s ALDS roster, but he was added as an injury replacement when fellow righty Garrett Richards sustained a hamstring strain. Because he was removed from the ALDS roster due to injury, Richards was ineligible for the ALCS roster, but he could potentially be added back to the World Series roster — if the Red Sox advance and if he is deemed healthy enough.
Here’s how Boston’s ALCS roster breaks down…
Right-Handed Pitchers
Ryan Brasier Nathan Eovaldi Tanner Houck Adam Ottavino Nick Pivetta Hansel Robles Hirokazu Sawamura Garrett Whitlock
Left-Handed Pitchers
Darwinzon Hernandez Martin Perez Eduardo Rodriguez Chris Sale Josh Taylor
Catchers
Kevin Plawecki Christian Vazquez
Infielders
Christian Arroyo Xander Bogaerts Bobby Dalbec Rafael Devers Travis Shaw
Outfielders
J.D. Martinez Hunter Renfroe Kyle Schwarber Alex Verdugo
Infielders/Outfielders
Enrique Hernandez Danny Santana
The 33-year-old Sawamura signed a two-year deal with the Sox last winter on the heels of an excellent career with the Yomiuri Giants and (more briefly) the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. His rookie campaign in Major League Baseball was a strong one, as he pitched to a 3.06 ERA with a solid 26.2 percent strikeout rate and a hefty 51.8 percent ground-ball rate in 53 innings of relief. The primary knock on Sawamura is an untenable 13.7 percent walk rate. He’ll hope to curb that problematic lack of command in any ALCS matchups for which he’s called upon, but Sawamura’s 15.5 percent swinging-strike rate and 33.7 percent opponents’ chase rate both underline his ability to get a punchout in late-game settings when he’s at his best.
As for Hernandez, he’ll bring a power fastball to Boston’s arsenal of lefties. Like Sawamura, Hernandez has no problem when it comes to racking up punchouts (29.7 percent) but has been far too charitable in terms of free passes (17 percent). Walks aside, however, Hernandez has been extremely difficult for both lefties (.204 batting average, .370 slugging) and righties (.202 average, .326 slugging). It’d certainly be ideal if he had better command of his pitches, but his stinginess in yielding hits, regardless of platoon situation, could prove critical against a balanced Houston lineup that is deep in impact lefties (Yordan Alvarez, Kyle Tucker, Michael Brantley) and righties (Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Yuli Gurriel, Alex Bregman).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 11:26:18 GMT -5
Astros’ ALCS Roster Does Not Include Lance McCullers Jr.
By Steve Adams | October 15, 2021 at 11:16am CDT
The Astros have suffered a notable blow to their ALCS roster, which was announced this morning and does not include ailing right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. His status for the ALCS was up in the air after he exited last round’s decisive Game 4 due to forearm discomfort and underwent a subsequent MRI. The team hasn’t made a formal announcement on McCullers’ injury just yet, so it’s not clear whether he might be able to return for a potential World Series push. Houston also dropped third catcher Garrett Stubbs for their showdown with the Red Sox.
Replacing McCullers and Stubbs on the ALCS roster are right-hander Jake Odorizzi and lefty Blake Taylor. Odorizzi will give the team an additional option in the rotation with McCullers sidelined, while Taylor gives manager Dusty Baker a second southpaw option in the bullpen. Here’s how the roster breaks down…
Right-Handed Pitchers
Luis Garcia Yimi Garcia Kendall Graveman Zack Greinke Cristian Javier Phil Maton Jake Odorizzi Ryan Pressly Ryne Stanek Jose Urquidy
Left-Handed Pitchers
Brooks Raley Blake Taylor Framber Valdez
Catchers
Jason Castro Martin Maldonado
Infielders
Jose Altuve Alex Bregman Carlos Correa Aledmys Diaz Yuli Gurriel
Outfielders
Yordan Alvarez Michael Brantley Chas McCormick Jake Meyers Jose Siri Kyle Tucker
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 13:13:14 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 8m The Braves, Dodgers and Astros have all gotten more innings from their starters than relievers this postseason.
The Red Sox? 18 innings from the rotation and 30 from the bullpen.
When Cora says he'll be "aggressive" with the 'pen, he's not kidding.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 13:34:13 GMT -5
ALCS Game 1: Matt Barnes left off 26-man roster; Darwinzon Hernandez addedBy Andrew Mahoney and Michael Silverman Globe Staff,Updated October 15, 2021, 2 hours ago The Red Sox open the American League Championship Series against the Astros at Minute Maid Park Friday night. It will be the third meeting in the postseason between the teams since 2017. Chris Sale gets the start for the Sox, with Nate Eovaldi going in Game 2. The Astros are countering with lefty curveball specialist Framber Valdez in Game 1, and righthander Luis Garcia Saturday afternoon in Game 2. The Red Sox changed up their bullpen alignment for their ALCS roster, adding lefthander Darwinzon Hernandez and righthander Hirokazu Sawamura. Off the pitching roster from the Division Series 26-man roster are righthander Matt Barnes and lefthander Austin Davis. The Division Series roster included Garrett Richards, who was replaced by Barnes after the first game when Richards hurt his hamstring. Richards was ineligible for the ALCS. The Red Sox will still have 13 pitchers like they did in the Division Series. The position player roster remains unchanged. l Red Sox ALCS roster Pitchers (13): Ryan Brasier, Nathan Eovaldi, Darwinzon Hernandez, Tanner Houck, Adam Ottavino, Martín Pérez, Nick Pivetta, Hansel Robles, Eduardo Rodriguez, Chris Sale, Hirokazu Sawamura, Josh Taylor, Garrett Whitlock Catchers (2): Kevin Plawecki, Christian Vázquez Infielders (5): Christian Arroyo, Xander Bogaerts, Bobby Dalbec, Rafael Devers, Travis Shaw Outfielders (4): J.D. Martinez, Hunter Renfroe, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Verdugo Infielder/Outfielders (2): Kiké Hernández, Danny Santana The Astros will be without their best starters, Lance McCullers, after he injured his forearm in the ALDS against the White Sox. Astros ALCS roster Pitchers (13): Luis Garcia, Yimi Garcia, Kendal Graveman, Zack Greinkie, Cristian Javier, Phil Maton, Jake Odorizzi, Ryan Pressly, Brooks Raley, Ryne Stanek, Blake Taylor, José Urquidy, Framber Valdez. Catchers (2): Jason Castro, Martín Maldonado. Infielders (5): Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, Aledmys Díaz, Yuli Gurriel. Outfielders (6): Yordan Alvarez, Michael Brantley, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers, Jose Siri, Kyle Tucker. Lineups RED SOX: 1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Kyle Schwarber (L) 1B 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 5. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 6. Hunter Renfroe (R) RF 7. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 8. Christian Arroyo (R) 2B 9. Christian Vazquez (R) C Pitching: LHP Chris Sale (5-1, 3.16 ERA) ASTROS: 1. Jose Altuve (R) 2B 2. Michael Brantley (L) DH 3. Alex Bregman (R) 3B 4. Yordan Alvarez (L) LF 5. Carlos Correa (R) SS 6. Kyle Tucker (L) RF 7. Yuli Gurriel (R) 1B 8. Chas McCormick (R) CF 9. Martin Maldonado (R) C Pitching: LHP Framber Valdez (11-6, 3.14 ERA) Time: 8:07 p.m. TV, radio: Fox, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Valdez: Christian Arroyo 2-6, Xander Bogaerts 2-6, Bobby Dalbec 0-6, Rafael Devers 2-7, Kiké Hernández 3-11, J.D. Martinez 2-6, Kevin Plawecki 1-1, Hunter Renfroe 0-5, Danny Santana 0-1, Alex Verdugo 0-3, Christian Vázquez 1-6 Astros vs. Sale: Jose Altuve 8-24, Michael Brantley 8-41, Alex Bregman 1-6, Carlos Correa 4-19, Aledmys Díaz 1-3, Marwin Gonzalez 1-9, Yuli Gurriel 3-8, Martín Maldonado 2-11 Stat of the day: After missing Game 1, J.D. Martinez went 7-for-15 with one homer and four RBIs in three games against Tampa Bay in the ALDS. Notes: Sale did not face the Astros this season, but is 5-3 with a 2.20 ERA in nine career starts against Houston … Valdez owns a 2-1 record with a 1.59 ERA in four career appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox. He allowed two runs and struck out 18 batters in 14 ⅓ innings en route to going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA in two starts against the Sox this season. But in his one postseason start he allowed four runs on seven hits in 4 ⅓ innings of a no-decision in Game 2 of the ALDS. Song of the Day: The Rolling Stones - Undercover Of The Night www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVJkfXeTs9Q
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 14:58:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 39s Same lineup for the Red Sox as Game 4 even against the lefty. Verdugo dropping down.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 15:26:34 GMT -5
Bill Koch @billkoch25 · 29m Alex Cora pregame #RedSox notes (1/x): - Verdugo down in the lineup against Valdez, but will be same nine for Game 1 - Thinks Hernandez and Sawamura match up better against the Astros than Davis and Barnes - 'Here, it's not about your feelings or the player. It's about the team.'
- 'Stuff plays. Velo plays. Postseason, it's very hard to get three hits in a row.' (That certainly explains Hernandez over Davis.) - On Houston's bats: 'They're a good offensive team. They always have been. This is a tough group to game plan.'
- Sale's struggles in 2018 were physical (two IL stints). They think it's more mechanical - '(Sale is) a full go. He's ready for it. Our bullpen is rested.' - On Dodgers pitching moves: 'They only scored one run in nine innings, so it worked.'
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 15, 2021 15:33:19 GMT -5
I like Bill Koch as a beat reporter he is blunt, but gives the news rather quickly. and if he does not agree , will pen an article about it.
Not much else to say now, with line ups out now.....
anything earth shattering, I will post, but so far, going as expected.
Pretty revved up for this. Should be a great series to rep the AL in the Fall Classic.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Oct 15, 2021 19:48:09 GMT -5
Not the way I wanted to start off. We got four guys on in the first inning, without a run. And the Sale walks the first Astro and he scores.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Oct 15, 2021 20:42:40 GMT -5
Nice comeback. It would be nice to get out of the 3rd still holding the lead. Sale gone. Now we have a R-R-R-R-L-R-L coming up. I don't trust Ottavino, but he and Brasier might get us to the two lefties and we can use Taylor or Hernandez. One inning at a time.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Oct 15, 2021 20:44:46 GMT -5
Ottavino did his job. I'd like to get a run here to keep the pressure on. Go with Ottavino one more inning, or go with Brasier?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 16, 2021 2:13:50 GMT -5
Correa's time: Late HR helps Astros top Bosox in ALCS opener
By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer
HOUSTON (AP) Carlos Correa paused a few seconds at the plate and tapped the spot on his wrist where a watch would be.
"It's my time!" the Houston Astros star screamed.
That it is.
And if his time with the Astros runs out at the end of this season, the star shortstop sure is making this an October to remember.
Correa hit a tiebreaking home run in the seventh inning, hollering toward his dugout before beginning his trot around the bases and propelling the Astros over the Boston Red Sox 5-4 Friday night in the AL Championship Series opener.
"When the playoffs start, (my teammates) always tell me: `It's your time. Now to go out there, hit homers,'" Correa said. "They told me to hit the watch when I hit the homer."
Correa teamed with Jose Altuve to do just enough to overcome the heroics of Kike Hernandez, who starred with his bat and glove for the wild-card Red Sox.
"I've been watching them for years, and it's a pleasure to be watching them up close and personal," manager Dusty Baker said. "And, boy, they are some clutch guys."
Altuve tied the game with a two-run shot in the sixth before Correa connected off losing pitcher Hansel Robles with two outs in the seventh to put the Astros ahead 4-3.
Correa, who has been with the Astros since being selected first overall in 2012, becomes a free agent at season's end and it seems likely that he won't remain in Houston.
Correa has a history of big hits for Houston that includes 18 postseason home runs, several of them in key, late situations.
"Playoff time, baby," Correa said.
"We want to be in the spotlight," he said. "We want to be in the moment."
He had three hits, and his performance gave him 55 postseason RBIs, passing Albert Pujols for the most among active MLB players.
Hernandez, who won a World Series with the Dodgers last year, homered twice among his four hits and likely saved multiple runs with two terrific catches.
His second homer came off closer Ryan Pressly to start the ninth and cut the lead to 5-4. But Pressly retired the next three batters to get the save.
"It would have been a lot cooler if we won the game," Hernandez said.
Game 2 is Saturday in Houston.
Ahead 4-3, the Astros loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth when Hirokazu Sawamura plunked Martin Maldonado. Houston added some insurance when Yuli Gurriel slid in just before the tag to score on a sacrifice fly by Altuve that made it 5-3, beating a terrific throw by Hernandez.
Hernandez has been red hot for the Red Sox this October, with 13 hits in his last four games to set an MLB record for most hits in a four-game span in one postseason. He passed Billy Hatcher (1999), Marquis Grissom (1995), Hideki Matsui (2004) and Randy Arozarena (2020), who all had 11.
"Enrique is en fuego," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said.
Chas McCormick singled with one out in the sixth before Altuve became the fourth player in MLB history to hit at least 20 postseason homers with his shot to left-center off Tanner Houck that tied it at 3.
Hernandez opened a three-run third with his soaring homer to center field to tie it at 1-all.
Xander Bogaerts walked with one out and Rafael Devers singled. J.D. Martinez hit a grounder to Altuve for what should have been a routine play. But the ball grazed the second baseman's glove and rolled between his legs for an error that allowed Martinez to reach and Bogaerts to score to put Boston up 2-1.
Hunter Renfroe then hit an RBI double to left field to extend it to 3-1 before Houston's two brightest stars came through late.
"Experience matters," Correa said.
Altuve and Correa, connecting again for a team trying to reach the World Series for the second time in three years. The Astros also won the championship in 2017, a crown tainted by the team's sign-stealing scandal.
Both teams leaned heavily on their bullpens after both Boston starter Chris Sale and Houston's Framber Valdez were chased in the third.
Ryne Stanek got the last out of the seventh for the win.
Sale, who was tagged for five runs in one inning in his previous start against Tampa Bay in the AL Division Series, permitted five hits and a run in 2 2/3 innings Friday. Valdez gave up six hits and three runs - two earned - while also getting just eight outs.
"Everything as a whole clicked a little bit better tonight. My command was spotty at times, but when I really needed it, I could bear down and grab what I've been looking for," Sale said.
The Astros led 1-0 after Altuve scored on a sacrifice fly by Yordan Alvarez in the first.
For the next few innings it looked like it wouldn't be the Astros' night.
Houston loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Altuve struck out before Sale escaped the jam with a huge assist from Hernandez in center field. Hernandez, whose MLB debut came when he subbed for Altuve late in a game in 2014, sprinted to rob Michael Brantley with a diving catch in shallow center to end the inning.
The Astros had runners at first and second with two outs in the fifth when Hernandez struck again. He made a back-handed grab in right-center on a ball hit by Kyle Tucker to leave them empty-handed once more.
Hernandez even seemed surprised he made the grab, contorting his face into a shocked look after the ball hit his glove.
Hernandez said the fly flew like a knuckleball.
"Tim Wakefield, R.A. Dickey, they've got nothing on that ball," he said.
UP NEXT
Boston's Nathan Eovaldi (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will have a homecoming of sorts Saturday when he starts opposite rookie Luis Garcia (0-0, 16.88). Eovaldi grew up in the Houston suburb of Alvin, also home to Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, and visited the Astrodome and Minute Maid Park often growing up.
"It's definitely one of my favorite ballparks to pitch in," Eovaldi said.
Saturday will be his third start this postseason. He struck out eight in 5 1/3 innings and got the win in the wild-card victory over the Yankees. He also started Game 3 of the ALDS but did not factor in the decision in a 6-4 Red Sox win.
Garcia struggled in a Game 3 start in the division series, permitting five runs in just 2 2/3 innings of a 12-6 loss.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 16, 2021 2:37:03 GMT -5
Sox don't fret G1 loss: 'No quit in this team' 3:35 AM ADT Ian Browne
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne
HOUSTON -- The misfires by Tanner Houck and Hansel Robles that were deposited high and deep into the seats by those seasoned veterans of October -- Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa -- are the type of moments that can sting or even deflate a team this time of year.
And clearly, they hurt the Red Sox in those moments in what wound up a tough 5-4 defeat to the Astros in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series at Minute Maid Park on Friday night.
But if there's one thing that's become clear about the 2021 Red Sox, it's that they don't do the whole deflation thing.
By the time Red Sox manager Alex Cora got to the interview room, he was in one of his best moods after a loss this season.
It was a signal to his team that while they are down in the series, it's nothing they can't get back up from.
"We started the season 0-3 and the sky was falling after three games [against the Orioles]," said Cora. "We have a good baseball team, and I think on a daily basis we're getting the results. We stay in the moment. You win, you turn the page, you prepare for tomorrow. You lose, you turn the page, you prepare for tomorrow.
"They've done an amazing job since Day 1 of the season, and I joke with that, but it's the truth. We lost the first three games of the season to Baltimore, and we felt like Game 4 [of the season] against the Rays was the season, to be honest with you. We've been living like this for a while, so we'll be ready for tomorrow."
In that instance Cora mentioned about the beginning of the season, his team rebounded from that humbling sweep at the hands of the eventual cellar-dwelling Orioles by sweeping the Rays in the next three games and going on a nine-game winning streak.
Most recently, the Sox lost Game 1 of the AL Division Series to the Rays, then turned the tables on a 100-win Tampa Bay squad to win the next three and advance to the ALCS.
Also, in the 2018 ALCS, Houston beat Boston in Game 1 at Fenway Park and the Red Sox turned the tables and didn't lose again in that series.
Trailing 1-0 in this best-of-seven series, the Red Sox are at least able to turn to their best starting pitcher this season in Nathan Eovaldi for Game 2. In best-of-seven postseason series with the current 2-3-2 format, teams winning Game 1 at home have gone on to win the series 62 of 94 times (66%). This excludes 2020, when the LCS and World Series were played at neutral sites.
"There is no quit in this team," said lefty Chris Sale. "Absolutely no quit. There is zero throttle down. Zero. Like I said before, we've got the right guy on the mound tomorrow. Nate, the guy's been magic [in October] and that's all we can ask for."
Sale hoped to regain some of his magic, but he instead had to settle for grinding through eight outs. On the plus side, his team was up, 3-1, when he departed with two outs in the bottom of the third and it was clear progress from his previous two starts, which he thought were the worst back-to-back outings of his career.
With the hottest hitter on the planet on their side in Kiké Hernández, who went off again in Game 1 with a 4-for-5 night that included two homers and a double and also a great catch in center, perhaps it's not surprising that the Red Sox were upbeat even after a loss. Get the latest from the Red Sox
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"I mean, I'm having a lot of fun," said Hernández. "It's a blast. It's October, and these games tend to be a lot of fun. A lot of adrenaline, a lot of electricity in the crowd. These games are a lot of fun, and the fact that I'm playing well adds on to it a little bit."
Even after those daggers by Altuve and Correa, it was Hernández who gave the Red Sox hope when he led off the top of the ninth by mauling his second homer of the night to make it a one-run game with the Nos. 2-3-4 hitters coming up with nobody out.
"I mean, this isn't an easy place to play," said Sale. "This is a tough team. For him to keep us in that game and give us a little bit more life … We lost the game tonight, there's no doubt about it. But he gave us a little spark at the end to give us something to look forward tomorrow."
The loss was tough in the sense that the Red Sox had a chance to break it open early. Boston's offense, so prolific in the ALDS vs. the Rays, put up a three-spot in the top of the third inning.
Not only that, but Hunter Renfroe's double pushed runners on second and third with one out, giving Boston a chance to do more.
If there has been a recurring theme to Boston losses this season, it has been those games when the offense scores early and doesn't add on.
"Once again, we didn't do a good job of adding on to the lead, and at the end of the day, that's why we lost," Hernández said. "We weren't able to add any more runs. We went up 3-1, and we stayed there until the ninth inning, and we only were able to add one. That's basically it."
The Red Sox hope Saturday will be a different story and they can take a happy flight back to Boston in possession of a series split.
"This is going to be a heck of a series, and it was a heck of a Game 1," Hernández said. "We expect nothing less tomorrow. It's going to be intense, and it's going to take everything we've got to be able to get past these guys."
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 16, 2021 2:38:48 GMT -5
'Pen gets workout after brief Sale start Red Sox need length from Eovaldi in Game 2 after using 7 relievers in opener 5 minutes ago Martin Gallegos
Martin Gallegos @martinjgallegos
HOUSTON -- Red Sox manager Alex Cora knew the risk that came with tabbing Chris Sale as the starter for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Astros.
Entering Friday night, Sale had recorded a total of 10 outs over his previous two starts. Cora knew the possibility of another short outing was high. That’s exactly what transpired: The left-hander was pulled after just 2 2/3 innings at 61 pitches, allowing one run on five hits and one walk in the Red Sox's 5-4 series-opening loss at Minute Maid Park.
With Boston holding a 3-1 lead at the time of Sale’s early departure, the task was daunting. Its relievers needed to find a way to hold down a dangerous Astros lineup and record 19 outs. With a well-rested bullpen, Cora liked his club’s chances.
“We feel good about our pitching. We do,” Cora said before the game. “Obviously, it's a challenge because of who [the Astros] are offensively, but when you get to this stage, you are doing something right. We got our starters lined up for Games 1 and 2, and we got our guys in the bullpen, so we'll see where it takes us.”
The direction the bullpen took was on a tightrope of pitching in and out of danger. Early on, Red Sox relievers often were able to strand Houston runners. Later, they didn’t necessarily break, but they bent a little too far off the path.
Things began going south on one swing of the bat from Jose Altuve, who took Tanner Houck deep for a game-tying two-run homer in the sixth. An inning later, Hansel Robles surrendered a go-ahead solo blast to Carlos Correa.
Though each late home run was a tough blow, the run that loomed largest was the one allowed by Hirokazu Sawamura in the bottom of the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Altuve that pushed Houston’s lead to two runs. That run provided the Astros a necessary cushion after Kiké Hernández capped another spectacular postseason game at the plate by leading off the ninth with his second homer of the night, a solo blast off Ryan Pressly.
“It's hard,” Cora said of the difficulty of asking his bullpen to cover so many innings. “But we've done it before, so we just are going to keep doing that. Of course, we want our starters to go deeper in the game, but we feel like today we were very close to pulling this off, pitching-wise.
“They took advantage of two pitches. Altuve on the slider, and Correa on the changeup.”
Just because the Red Sox were aware of a possible short night from Sale didn't make it any easier for him to swallow. In Sale’s mind, this loss fell largely on him for his inability to go deep.
“That’s where my job comes into play a little bit,” Sale said. “I wish I would have gone a little bit longer. I have to get more outs. There is no way around that. When you’re asking your bullpen to go out there and throw seven innings of zeroes, that’s a lot.” Get the latest from the Red Sox
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It wasn’t seven innings of zeroes. But it was a valiant effort. The seven relievers out of Boston’s bullpen combined to allow four runs in 5 1/3 innings.
“I think they did an incredible job, anyways, regardless of the outcome,” Sale said. “I just put a little too much on their plate tonight. That’s on me.”
Part of why Boston gambled on starting Sale in Game 1 is the guy who is starting Game 2 on Saturday afternoon. Nathan Eovaldi has allowed just three runs with 16 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings this postseason.
“I don’t think there’s another guy on the planet I’d rather be pitching tomorrow than Nate,” said Sale. “You look at what he’s done this year. You look at his postseason resume. The guy stacks up with anybody. We’ve got the right guy on the mound tomorrow, and that’s all we can say."
Now, more than ever, the Red Sox will be counting on Eovaldi to provide some much-needed length.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 16, 2021 2:39:45 GMT -5
Sarah Langs @slangsonsports Kiké Hernández's 13 hits in his last 4 games extend the record for most in a 4-game span in postseason history
Most hits in 4-game span in single postseason:
2021 Kiké Hernández: 13 2020 Randy Arozarena: 11 2004 Hideki Matsui: 11 1995 Marquis Grissom: 11 1990 Billy Hatcher: 11 1:11 AM · Oct 16, 2021
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Oct 16, 2021 2:41:35 GMT -5
Jon Couture @joncouture · 4h In Houston, it's a pretty good bet you're gonna either get a shorty home run or a home run by a shorty.
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