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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 3:29:29 GMT -5
Bobby Dalbec’s defensive mistake, questionable pitching changes cost Red Sox in 6-2 loss to Blue Jays Eovaldi replaced after just 72 pitches
By Jason Mastrodonato | jason.mastrodonato@bostonherald.com | Boston Herald PUBLISHED: April 25, 2022 at 10:09 p.m. | UPDATED: April 25, 2022 at 10:15 p.m.
It only took one day in Toronto for Tanner Houck’s absence to be felt.
Houck, who is not in Canada due to his vaccination status, was supposed to start Game 2 in the series on Tuesday. But the Sox reshuffled their staff last week, adding Garrett Whitlock to the rotation, pushing back Rich Hill (bereavement list) and letting Houck pitch out of relief on Sunday.
Monday, Houck and Kutter Crawford were placed on the restricted list for the four-game set in Toronto and Tyler Danish, added to the roster along with John Schreiber to replace them, was called on in the eighth inning of a tie game.
Danish served up the game-losing grand slam to Bo Bichette as the Red Sox fell to the Jays, 6-2, in the series opener.
The takeaways:
1. Nathan Eovaldi was removed after just 72 pitches.
Eovaldi was as sharp and efficient as he’s been all year, cruising through seven innings of two-run ball on just 72 pitches. With the bottom of the Jays’ lineup due up in the eighth, the Red Sox confusingly removed Eovaldi, who had thrown more than 72 pitches in each of his first three starts. He threw 76 pitches in a 6-5 loss to the Yankees on Opening Day, 101 pitches in a 9-7 win over the Tigers and 95 pitches in a 2-1 win over the Jays last week.
Will Venable, the acting manager serving in place of Alex Cora, who is out with COVID-19, said the Red Sox were eyeing lefty Matt Strahm for the bottom of the Jays’ order and liked the matchup.
“The way we were looking at it, we weren’t going to have (Eovaldi) face the top of the order again,” Venable told reporters in Toronto. “That was a really good pocket for Strahm. We highlighted that spot going in. Nate gave us everything we needed tonight. Regardless of pitch count, that was a good spot for Strahm.”
Eovaldi was great aside from solo homers he allowed to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Matt Chapman. He’s now allowed seven homers in four starts.
“I felt great,” Eovaldi said. “Tonight I had a hard time finding my pitch count so I wasn’t aware where I was at… you trust the bullpen is going to get it done. I trust whoever is coming in in that situation.”
2. This game might’ve never gotten to Danish had Bobby Dalbec made a routine play at first base.
To start the eighth inning, Strahm retired Raimel Tapia and allowed a sharp single to Santiago Espinal to set up an at-bat with Bradley Zimmer. Zimmer hit a swinging bunt down the first-base line that Strahm fielded cleanly and tossed right into Dalbec’s glove at first base, but Dalbec dropped it.
The Red Sox then removed Strahm, called on Danish and watched the game unravel.
George Springer roped a single to load the bases with one out, then Danish left a hanging sinker to Bichette, who launched it over the right-field wall for a grand slam that put the Jays ahead, 6-2.
Danish has just 13 games of big league experience since his MLB debut in 2016, but the Sox have liked what they’ve seen from him so far this year. He entered Monday with five strikeouts in three scoreless innings.
Still, calling on him in a tie game with bases loaded in the ninth inning and the heart of the Jays’ order due up was a bold move.
“We weren’t going to go to (Hansel) Robles without the lead,” Venable said. “We were looking to get a groundball in that spot. Danish has a great sinker, just left it over the plate.”
3. Small-ball sparked the Red Sox offense.
Jose Berrios was pitching a gem opposite Eovaldi in this one.
The Sox loaded the bases with one out in the second inning, but Christian Arroyo grounded into an inning-ending double play.
After that, the game was flying by. Half the game was over in less than an hour. And by the time the eighth inning rolled around, the Sox offense needed to change things up.
With the Sox down 2-0, Dalbec and Arroyo hit back-to-back singles to start the game, then Kevin Plawecki dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third. Kiké Hernandez smoked a single to left to score one, and Alex Verdugo hit a sacrifice fly to tie the game before Bichette blew things open in the bottom of the inning.
The Sox left 10 men on base and went just 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position. They finished with just seven hits.
They haven’t scored more than four runs in a game since April 17. They’re hitting .219 with just two homers in nine games while averaging 2.2 runs per game in that stretch.
“We’re running into some tough luck,” Alex Verdugo told reporters in Toronto. “We’re hitting the ball hard right at people. Seems like there are no holes at the moment…
“Any time you have a starter going that deep and only giving up two runs, with this offense, most of the time that’s going to go well for us. We’re scuffling at the moment. A lot of us are taking good at-bats, hitting the ball hard. It’s like we’re chasing results right now.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 3:33:26 GMT -5
Jason Mastrodonato @jmastrodonato · 8h That was the Blue Jays' MLB-leading 23rd home run of the season. The Red Sox have 11.
Also needs to be said that had Tanner Houck stayed on schedule, everything changes for the Red Sox pitching staff. Tyler Danish, who was called upon to face the top of the best lineup in baseball in a tie game in the eighth, only on the roster b/c Houck/Crawford aren't in Canada.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 3:35:04 GMT -5
Why did Boston Red Sox take out Nate Eovaldi after 72 pitches, use Tyler Danish in Monday loss? Will Venable (acting manager) explains Updated: Apr. 26, 2022, 12:21 a.m. | Published: Apr. 26, 2022, 12:20 a.m.
By Chris Cotillo | ccotillo@MassLive.com
Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi needed just 72 pitches to get through seven innings against the Blue Jays on Monday night. But despite Eovaldi’s low pitch count, the Red Sox chose not to send him back out for the eighth.
With the game tied, 2-2, after Boston plated two runs in the top of the eighth, acting manager Will Venable decided seven innings was enough for Eovaldi. Lefty reliever Matt Strahm came in for the bottom of the inning to face the bottom of third of Toronto’s order. Venable didn’t want to risk having Eovaldi face Toronto’s top hitters if he didn’t retire the side in order.
“The way we were looking at it is that we weren’t going to have him face the top of the order again and it was a really good pocket for Strahm,” Venable told reporters. “We kind of highlighted that spot going on. Nate gave us everything we needed tonight and, regardless of pitch count, it was just a really good spot for Strahm there.”
Strahm got a quick out, then allowed a single to Santiago Espinal. Bradley Zimmer then reached on a drag bunt when Strahm’s backhanded flip fell out of Bobby Dalbec’s glove at first base. At that point, with two men on and one out, Venable made the curious decision to turn to Tyler Danish, who was just recalled to the roster before Monday’s game. Hansel Robles, who is usually used in high-leverage spots, was caught by NESN cameras warming in Boston’s bullpen. But instead, Danish entered in a crucial spot.
“We weren’t going to go to Robles without the lead,” Venable explained. “We were looking to get a ground ball in that spot and Danish has got a great sinker.”
That plan backfired, as George Springer hit Toronto’s third straight single and Bo Bichette effectively ended the game with a grand slam that put the Jays up, 6-2. Toronto went on to win by the same score.
“Just left it over the plate but we’re looking to get a ball on the ground there and Danish was the guy for that,” Venable said.
Venable has spent the last five games in the manager’s chair because Alex Cora tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday morning. It is unknown when Cora will return to the team.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 3:37:45 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 9h Red Sox batters not in their "core six" are hitting .158/.204/.227 in 225 plate appearances.
With Houck and Crawford at home, making Whitlock unavailable because he has to start, and a heavily used bullpen, it's not like there was a bunch of better answers out there tonight. Strahm pitched, Robles has been busy and was only going to be used for a save... so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 3:41:39 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Blue Jays Tuesday, 26th April 2022 7pm @ Rogers Centre
Pivetta 0-0/ 10.03
Gausman 1-1/2.89
Red Sox's Nick Pivetta seeks improvement in rematch with Jays FLM
Boston Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta will try to reverse his early-season struggles Tuesday night, but he faces a tough task in a return matchup against the host Toronto Blue Jays.
Pivetta, a native of Victoria, British Columbia, was the losing pitcher in the Blue Jays' 6-1 victory at Boston on Wednesday. His mound opponent Tuesday will be right-hander Kevin Gausman, who allowed one run in eight-plus innings Thursday in Toronto's 3-2 win in the rubber match of a three-game series at Boston.
Boston will need a good performance from Pivetta (0-3, 10.03 ERA) after losing the opener of the four-game series 6-2 Monday night due to Bo Bichette's eighth-inning grand slam.
Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi pitched seven innings on Monday, allowing two runs on solo homers. Toronto starter Jose Berrios gave up two runs in seven-plus innings.
All five runs Pivetta allowed in his four innings on Wednesday came in the second inning.
"Super disappointing with how the second inning went," Pivetta said after the start. "I had way higher hopes with how this would go."
The outing continued a poor opening to the season in which Pivetta hasn't gone more than 5 2/3 innings in an outing and hasn't held an opponent to fewer than four runs.
"It's unfortunate, but I can't remember the last time I had to deal with something like this," Pivetta said. "You kind of find out who you are in these moments, how you're going to proceed."
Pivetta pitched scoreless innings in the third and fourth on Wednesday. Pitching coach Dave Bush helped him make adjustments that improved the velocity on his fastball and the consistency of his curveball.
"Honestly, the last two innings were his best innings so far out of the three outings," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said following the Wednesday game. "If we're going to take something positive out of this, it was the way he finished."
Pivetta is 1-3 with a 6.28 ERA in eight career starts against Toronto. Gausman is 5-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 21 career games (16 starts) vs. Boston.
"He was awesome. That's an ace for you," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said after Gausman's win in Boston. "Against a good-hitting lineup, that (splitter) was nasty, locating all of his pitches, throwing strikes. We needed a start like that and he gave it to us."
Gausman (1-1, 2.89 ERA) was looking for his second career complete game but was removed after a leadoff single in the ninth.
"In my mind, that was my game, so I was going out there in the ninth to get the three outs," Gausman said. "That was my goal. Obviously, it was a good first pitch to (Trevor) Story and he hit it the other way. That could easily have been a ground ball to the shortstop and I'm still in the game."
Toronto put Cavan Biggio on the COVID-related injured list on Monday and promoted right-hander Bowden Francis from Triple-A Buffalo.
Boston put right-handers Kutter Crawford and Tanner Houck on the restricted list, apparently because they are unvaccinated, preventing them from entering Canada.
The Red Sox added right-handers Tyler Danish and John Schreiber as roster replacements. Danish allowed Bichette's grand slam.
Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki was reinstated from the COVID-related IL, and catcher Connor Wong was optioned to Triple-A Worcester.
Cora, who tested positive for COVID-19 last week, was not with the team on Monday. Bench coach Will Venable remained the acting manager.
"A.C. is doing well," Venable said. "Better and better every day. Still going through the protocol and still kind of day-to-day. Just not here (Monday), and that's as far as I know."
--Field Level Media
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 11:01:27 GMT -5
Game 18: Red Sox at Blue Jays lineups and notesBy Andrew Mahoney Globe Staff,Updated April 26, 2022, 2 hours ago The Red Sox should be thankful the Celtics completed a sweep of the Nets Monday night. With Boston sports fans locked in on the C’s, the Sox have largely flown under the radar, and that’s a good thing. Monday night’s 6-2 loss to the Blue Jays was their third in a row and fourth in the last five games, dropping them to three games below .500. Nick Pivetta will be on the mound Tuesday night, looking to turn the season around for the Sox as well as himself. The righty hasn’t gone more than 5 ⅔ innings in an outing and hasn’t held an opponent to fewer than four runs. Lineups RED SOX (7-10): 1. Trevor Story (R) 2B 2. Alex Verdugo (L) LF 3. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 4. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 5. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 6. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF 7. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 8. Christian Arroyo (R) 3B 9. Christian Vazquez (R) C Pitching: RHP Nick Pivetta (0-3, 10.03 ERA) BLUE JAYS (11-6): 1. George Springer (R) RF 2. Bo Bichette (R) SS 3. Vladimir Guerrero (R) DH 4. Zack Collins (L) C 5. Matt Chapman (R) 3B 6. Raimel Tapia (L) LF 7. Santiago Espinal (R) 2B 8. Gosuke Katoh (L) 1B 9. Bradley Zimmer (L) CF Pitching: RHP Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.89 ERA) Time: 7:07 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Gausman: Christian Arroyo 2-4, Xander Bogaerts 14-43, Jackie Bradley Jr. 2-23, Bobby Dalbec 2-3, Rafael Devers 1-11, Kiké Hernández 0-6, J.D. Martinez 5-12, Kevin Plawecki 0-2, Rob Refsnyder 4-9, Travis Shaw 3-21, Trevor Story 3-19, Alex Verdugo 0-3, Christian Vázquez 1-16 Get 108 Stitches Blue Jays vs. Pivetta: Bo Bichette 8-17, Matt Chapman 2-6, Zack Collins 0-2, Santiago Espinal 0-6, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 4-15, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. 3-13, Alejandro Kirk 1-3, George Springer 5-9, Raimel Tapia 1-2 Stat of the day: The Sox have scored only 18 runs in their last seven games. Notes: Pivetta is 1-3 with a 6.28 ERA in eight career starts against Toronto, but he threw six scoreless innings at Rogers Centre last Aug. 7 in a 1-0 loss. He was the losing pitcher in the Blue Jays’ 6-1 victory at Fenway Park on Wednesday. All five runs allowed in his four innings came in the second inning. … Gausman is 5-8 with a 4.25 ERA in 21 career games (16 starts) against the Red Sox. He allowed one run in eight-plus innings Thursday in Toronto’s 3-2 win in the rubber match of a three-game series at Fenway. Song of the day: Metallica - For Whom The Bell Tolls www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO3l6qNA2Q4
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 13:13:49 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 1h In the last 7 days, the Red Sox have played 7 games and hit 1 home run. 246 PA, .206/.249/.276, .525 OPS. That's mind-boggling.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 26, 2022 15:27:30 GMT -5
Venable will get it from the press but Cora would of yanked Eovaldi as well That call was on the damned Analytic department u add a shit offense and the gas can gang bullpen and again I am not shocked a darn bit With the low pitch count, I would have left Eovaldi in the game. That said, the moves that Venable made are defensible, IMO.
At any rate, we're not going to win many games scoring 2 runs. The Sox had some tough luck last night, but they are still allowing the opposing pitcher an easy time out there. We need Schwarber back.
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Post by Kimmi on Apr 26, 2022 15:33:15 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 1h In the last 7 days, the Red Sox have played 7 games and hit 1 home run. 246 PA, .206/.249/.276, .525 OPS. That's mind-boggling. Mind-boggling and maddening. The hitters' lack of ability to work counts and their inability to stop chasing outside the zone has worn me out.
{Sigh}
Right now, I have no confidence in this team to be able to win a game. Zero. I'm not saying that they won't turn it around and play like a playoff caliber team, but right now, they have nothing.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 16:40:14 GMT -5
Venable will get it from the press but Cora would of yanked Eovaldi as well That call was on the damned Analytic department u add a shit offense and the gas can gang bullpen and again I am not shocked a darn bit With the low pitch count, I would have left Eovaldi in the game. That said, the moves that Venable made are defensible, IMO.
At any rate, we're not going to win many games scoring 2 runs. The Sox had some tough luck last night, but they are still allowing the opposing pitcher an easy time out there. We need Schwarber back.
Scwarber aint doing jack other than the other night analytics are killing the game period
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 16:44:06 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 53m Just a scheduled day off for Devers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 16:45:29 GMT -5
so the analytics department think it is ok to give Devers the night off.
jesus christ, what is happening to baseball?
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 16:49:24 GMT -5
Jen McCaffrey @jcmccaffrey · 1h Cora is feeling better but Venable still has no updates on when he’ll be back
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on Apr 26, 2022 16:50:48 GMT -5
Ian Browne @ianmbrowne · 11m Rafael Devers had started the first 17 games of the season for the Red Sox, one at DH. Will Venable: "I think he could really use it like a lot of our guys could use it. Especially playing these games on the turf, I think he’ll take full advantage of having a day off for sure."
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Post by scrappyunderdog on Apr 26, 2022 20:12:03 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 5h “We weren’t going to have Eovaldi face the top of the order again and it was a good pocket for Strahm. Nate gave us everything we needed tonight; regardless of pitch count it was a good spot for him. Looking for a grounder and Danish has a great sinker, left it over the plate.”
Lou Merloni @loumerloni · 5h He was about to face 7-8-9 in the 8th not the top of the order. Weird. Maybe it's the pressure of facing th4 media, but that's really bad optics. IMHO, in a tie game, you conserve your BP. He should've let Eovaldi knock down the 7-8-9 guys. The bottom three guys were a career 2-15, with one single and one double. And even if one guy got one, Springer is 3-18, with one HR, against Eovaldi. So the RS once again get as good a matchup as they can get. And I think Danish has a bit of talent, maybe, but he has 16 career innings. I wouldn't match him up against Spring, Bichette, Vlad and Gurriel. That's where you need a vet.
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