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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 2:47:06 GMT -5
Alex Verdugo’s X-rays negative: Boston Red Sox left fielder was limping and his foot is sore but his goal is to play Saturday Published: May. 13, 2022, 11:45 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Alex Verdugo’s X-rays came back negative but he was limping after Friday’s game.
The Red Sox left fielder was removed from the game in the top of the seventh inning because of a right foot contusion. It happened when he fouled a ball off his foot, manager Alex Cora said.
“It’s good. It’s sore but it should be all right,” Verdugo said after Boston won 7-1 over the Rangers here at Globe Life Field.
He hopes to play Saturday when the Red Sox and Rangers meet again at 7:05 p.m., eastern. But he’ll see how the recovery goes overnight.
“I’ve got an anti-inflammation patch on it,” Verdugo said. “So just kind of take it day by day, see how it goes. But my goal is to be in there tomorrow.”
Cora said, “We’ll see how he comes in tomorrow and we’ll go from there.”
Verdugo went 1-for-3 before exiting. His RBI double in the sixth inning was part of a four-run inning.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 2:48:16 GMT -5
Xander Bogaerts’ broken-bat hit in Boston Red Sox’s win ‘changed the game’ and a piece of the bat went farther than the ball Updated: May. 14, 2022, 1:05 a.m. | Published: May. 14, 2022, 12:17 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — The hit that stood out the most to manager Alex Cora during Boston’s four-run sixth inning rally Friday?
It was Xander Bogaerts’ broken-bat single to shortstop. A piece of the bat actually traveled farther than the ball.
“We score all those runs but it started with a hustle play,” Cora said. “That kid at shortstop, for everything we’ve been going through, he shows up every day and he plays hard. Broken bat. Ground ball to short. He hustled to first and he changed the game with that play.”
The Red Sox won 7-1 over the Rangers here at Globe Life Field behind 7 strong innings from starter Nick Pivetta.
Bogaerts’ infield single to shortstop (with a 41.6 mph exit velocity) came after J.D. Martinez singled with one out. Alex Verdugo followed with a double that plated Martinez. Trevor Story’s sac fly scored Bogaerts.
Franchy Cordero (double) and Christian Vázquez (single) also added RBI hits.
Cora said effort level is one thing the coaching staff hasn’t had to address during Boston’s tough stretch. The Red Sox (12-20) entered with just four wins in their previous 13 games.
“The effort’s been there,” Cora said. “Every day they show up and they play hard. Obviously not the results that we wanted. But we’re going to keep pushing. We know we have a good team. And I know a lot of people out there know we have a good team. But you have to win games. That’s the most important thing. That play by Xander changed the game.”
Everyone in the Red Sox lineup besides Jackie Bradley Jr. recorded at least one hit.
“Overall, it was a good offensive night,” Cora said. “Kiké (Hernández) getting on base four times was huge for us. Franchy with a big hit. Christian going the other way. So it was actually fun to be able to let Nick go seven and bring Kutter (Crawford in for two inning) and get the W.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 3:06:04 GMT -5
Pivetta starting to find his rhythm 2:10 AM ADT Arianna Vedia
Arianna Vedia @nanavedia
ARLINGTON -- Nick Pivetta’s first three starts compared to his last three are almost polar opposites.
Admittedly, those first three starts weren’t pretty. The 29-year-old right-hander posted a 10.03 ERA (13 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings) to open the season 0-3. But some time during his third start against Toronto, manager Alex Cora believes Pivetta found something on the mound.
“He’s been working hard in the bullpen and he’s been finding his rhythm,” Cora said.
Whatever it was, he carried it through the next few games, getting better and better with each start. Pivetta picked up his first win of the 2022 season on Friday in Boston’s 7-1 victory against the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
Pivetta has only allowed one run through his last 13 innings pitched and has issued just one walk since April 26 against Toronto. That run came off a wild pitch in the seventh inning of Friday’s game, but with a hot offense to back him up, the win was already in his pocket.
“I’m just trying to focus on competing in the zone,” Pivetta said. “My stuff plays in the zone. I have a good curveball, a good slider, the [splitter] is coming along really well. So just focusing on those aspects and not trying to get too much outside of myself and try to do too much like I was.”
Boston has now won three of its last 10 games. The numbers might not show it, but Cora believes the effort is there. He doesn’t even have to question the team's fortitude heading into games because he knows Boston is going to show up and play hard, even if it has yet to reflect in the standings.
The Red Sox did exactly what Cora expected from them on Friday, stringing together 10 hits and going 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Outfielder Kiké Hernández reached base four times, while J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 14 games and his on-base streak to 30 games. Xander Bogaerts went 2-for-5 with a run and two RBIs.
“We scored all those runs, but it started with a hustle play,” Cora said.
Cora said Bogaerts' broken-bat single in Boston’s four-run sixth inning changed the game. It was the second of a series of hits that helped the Red Sox add some insurance to the slim 1-0 lead they held heading into that inning.
“He hustled to first and he changed the game with that play,” Cora said. “Overall, it was a good offensive night. We did a lot of good things."
Briefly Left fielder Alex Verdugo left the game in the seventh inning with a right foot contusion. Cora said Verdugo’s X-rays came back negative.
“We’ll see how he comes in tomorrow and go from there,” Cora said.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 3:12:27 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK Texas road trip is a homecoming for Trevor Story By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 13, 2022, 8:43 p.m.
ARLINGTON, Texas — There’s no place like home for Trevor Story, but with the Red Sox is where he’s supposed to be.
Story grew up in Irving, just outside of Dallas. His family still lives in the area. His wife, Mallie, along with their newborn son are here, too. Story, for the first time this season, got to be in the comfort of his own home despite playing for the Red Sox.
“It’s always special for me,” Story said Friday before the start of the three-game set with the Rangers. “Especially with my son now. I get to be at home with him and be in our house and my wife and just see the family and everybody that we grew up with. So those are always good things and we certainly enjoy that time. Home is home.”
There was a possibility that Story could have signed with his hometown Rangers when he was a free agent last offseason, but despite the ties to the area, Story ultimately wanted to be with the Red Sox.
“I think just kind of given the landscape of, you know, being here, and growing up here, everyone kind of thought it was a possibility,” Story said. “But things worked out how they did and I believe that’s for a reason. And yeah, I’m happy where I’m at.”
Story is an avid Dallas Mavericks fan. In fact, he rented out a suite Thursday night for the Mavericks’ Game 6 matchup with the Phoenix Suns, a contest Dallas won in convincing fashion, 113-86, to force a Game 7. Story brought along roughly 18 of his teammates.
“Trevor took care of that,” said manager Alex Cora, who was also at the game. “The coaches. It was fun. It was good to go there and watch other athletes compete. It was a fun atmosphere.”
Story also has had his share of fun at the Rangers’ newly-constructed Globe Life Field. He had four home runs here last season in six games. Story hit his first homer for the Sox in Wednesday’s against the Braves and said he’s finally beginning to feel like himself at the plate.
“It would be nice to build on that,” Story said. “I feel good about where I’m at.” Hill returns, will start Saturday
Rich Hill said he will start Saturday evening’s game against the Rangers, his first since was placed on the COVID-19 injured list on May 6. He was symptomatic but said he’s now recovered.
“I had a good bullpen a couple days ago,” Hill said. “I just threw some off the mound today. I felt good, so I’ll be ready to go [Saturday].”
Hill’s last start came May 5 against the Angels. The lefthander went five strong innings without allowing a run and striking out six.
Hill was cleared a couple of days ago, he said, and was able to do some form of workouts.
“I was able to do a total body [workout] and get in there and do some shoulder exercises,” Hill said. “All that stuff kind of checked out.” Bullpen game looms
The Sox haven’t made anything official yet, but Sunday will most likely be a bullpen game. Tanner Houck will be available out of the bullpen Friday too. Garrett Whitlock will be pushed back a day and will start Monday at Fenway Park against the Astros . . . Former Red Sox pitcher and three-time World Series champion John Lackey was on the field during batting practice before the game. Lackey embraced many of the former Sox players, including Xander Bogaerts, who was a rookie teammate of Lackey’s when the Sox won the 2013 World Series. Lackey lives down the street from Clay Buchholz in Austin, Texas.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 3:30:54 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 6h Nick Pivetta last 2 starts:
13 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 12 K.
Alex Cora: "It was actually fun."
Xander Bogaerts' infield single in the 6th inning led to four runs and eventually a 7-1 win.
Thought this comment from Alex Cora was very telling:
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 3:35:32 GMT -5
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 5h I presume the Red Sox will DFA someone tomorrow and send down a different reliever so that they can add Schreiber to the 40-man and keep him on the active roster when they activate Hill. If they just send Schreiber down that is making the team worse on purpose.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 3:41:31 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Rangers Saturday, 14th May 2022 7pm @ Globe Life Field
Hill 0-0/2.86
Otto 0-0/3.14
Boston Red Sox vs. Texas Rangers Saturday, May 14, 2022 at 7:05pm EDT Written by Adam Rauzino
The Boston Red Sox (11-20, 15-16 RL, 9-18-4 O/U) and the Texas Rangers (13-17, 18-12 RL, 13-16-1 O/U) continue a three-game AL series on Saturday evening. The Red Sox will give the starting nod to Rich Hill who has been brilliant. The Rangers counter with Glenn Otto. Texas won last year's season series 4-3 and Boston clobbered Texas 7-1 on Friday.
Hill Eyes Another Gem
Rich Hill will be on the hill after a missing a start due to COVID protocol. Hill was stellar in his previous effort,completing five shutout innings against the Angels but received no help from the offense and finished with the no-decision in a game the Red Sox ended up losing by an 8-0 score. The veteran southpaw is having a remarkable season, registering a 2.86 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP accompanied by a 0-1 record in 22 innings of action. Hill conceded four runs in 9.1 innings against Texas last year and has only allowed five runs with a 2-0 record in 16 career innings.
The Red Sox are in need of series wins. They have lost eight out of their last ten games after they were swept at home by the White Sox last weekend and registered one win in two games in Atlanta this week before Thursday’s off day. They are already 12 games out of first in the AL East.
Xander Bogaerts was stellar against the Rangers last season, bashing three homers with a .989 OPS in 49 at-bats. The 29-year-old shortstop only has one RBI this month but overall is having a strong year, hitting a dazzling .345 with 10 RBIs and an above-average .862 OPS.
Boston is scoring an average of 3.45 runs per game, ranking them 28th in the Majors. The pitching staff has amassed a 3.77 team ERA, placing them 17th overall.
Otto Starts, Rangers Earn Series Win
Glenn Otto will be on the mound for the fourth time of the season on Saturday. Otto was stellar in his previous start, limiting the flourishing Yankees offense to only two runs in five innings, resulting in a no-decision in a game the Rangers won. The young right-hander has been effective in all three performances, conceding just five runs in 14.1 innings, equating to a 3.14 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP to go with a 1-0 record. This marks his first career meeting against Boston.
Overall it’s been a disappointing season for a team that spent big money in the offseason. They did win four in a row earlier this month but have not been able to score runs with any consistency and the pitching is below average. They did manage to win two of three Royals this week.
Brad Miller continues to produce at the plate, collecting seven RBIs in his last seven games. The 32-year-old second baseman is second in team RBIs with 17 along with a .721 OPS. Miller went a decent 4 for 15 with three RBIs against the Red Sox last season.
Texas is posting an average of 4.00 runs on the year, landing them 19th in the big leagues. The pitching is an issue, recording a 3.85 team ERA, pegging them 19th overall.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 6:27:01 GMT -5
This was the Nick Pivetta the Red Sox were banking on Current Time 0:00 / Duration 1:44 By Rob Bradford WEEI 93.7 an hour ago
So much of the original Red Sox' 2022 blueprint hasn't gone as planned.
And for a good stretch to begin the season, Nick Pivetta was one of those load-bearing walls that didn't seem to be holding up like Alex Cora and Co. had hoped. After three starts his ERA stood at 10.03, having surrendered 13 runs in 11 2/3 innings.
With no Chris Sale, the uncertainty of newcomers Michael Wacha and Rich Hill and a what-to-do-with situation involving Tanner Houck and Garrett Whitlock, Pivetta was supposed to be joining Nathan Eovaldi as a fail-safe.
For the Red Sox, the Pivetta piece of the puzzle was insult to injury.
But, low and behold, it turns out that the Red Sox may have had nothing to worry about. The pitcher who had left such a dominant image during last season's postseason run was back.
Pivetta turned in his best outing of the season Friday night in Arlington, Texas, giving up just one run over seven innings while leading the Red Sox to a 7-1 win over the Rangers.
In his last two starts, he has been dominant, giving up just the lone run over 13 innings, walking a single batter along the way.
“I’m just trying to focus on competing in the zone,” Pivetta told reporters. “My stuff plays in the zone. I have a good curveball, a good slider, the [splitter] is coming along really well. So just focusing on those aspects and not trying to get too much outside of myself and try to do too much like I was.”
"He’s been working hard in the bullpen and he’s been finding his rhythm,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora passed on to reporters
Of course, another revelation for the Red Sox in the series opener was an offensive attack that went 5-for-8 with runners in scoring position with leadoff hitter Kiké Hernandez reaching base four times.
It marked the ninth time the Red Sox have claimed 10 or more hits and fifth occasion their run total has been seven or greater.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 13:24:33 GMT -5
Game 33: Red Sox at Rangers lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated May 14, 2022, 40 minutes ago After Nick Pivetta earned his first win of the season on Friday night, another Red Sox starter will try and do the same as Boston looks to clinch its first road series win in over a month against the Rangers on Saturday. Rich Hill has pitched well this season, if struggling to go deep into games; the veteran southpaw hasn’t allowed an earned run since April 18, with four scoreless innings against both the Rays and Orioles along with five shutout frames against the Angels in his last three starts. Still, Hill remains without a win this season. Related: Ron Washington on infield shifts, the defense of Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts, and what his World Series ring means to him The Rangers will counter with righthander Glenn Otto, making just his 10th career start. Otto allowed two runs on two hits in five innings of work in his last outing against the Yankees, and is yet to face the Red Sox in his young career. Lineups RED SOX (12-20):1. Enrique Hernandez (R) CF 2. Rafael Devers (L) 3B 3. J.D. Martinez (R) DH 4. Xander Bogaerts (R) SS 5. Trevor Story (R) 2B 6. Franchy Cordero (L) LF 7. Christian Vazquez (R) C 8. Bobby Dalbec (R) 1B 9. Jackie Bradley Jr. (L) RF Pitching: LHP Rich Hill (0-1, 2.86 ERA) RANGERS (13-18): 1. Eli White (R) CF 2. Marcus Semien (R) 2B 3. Corey Seager (L) SS 4. Jonah Heim (S) DH 5. Nick Solak (R) LF 6. Andy Ibanez (R) 1B 7. Kole Calhoun (L) RF 8. Sam Huff (R) C 9. Charlie Culberson (R) 3B Pitching: RHP Glenn Otto (1-0, 3.14 ERA) Time: 7:05 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Otto: Has not faced any Boston batters Rangers vs. Hill: Calhoun 0-3, Culberson 2-7, García 1-4, Lowe 1-4, Miller 0-4, Seager 0-2, Semien 1-7, Solak 1-4, White 0-2 Stat of the day: The Red Sox have scored 19 runs in their last three games, their highest-scoring three-game stretch so far this season. Notes: With another strong start on Friday after his rocky opening to the season, Pivetta has allowed just one run in his past 13 innings over two starts, and his ERA has dropped from 7.84 to 5.08 during the stretch ... J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 14 games as the Red Sox won for the second time in their past three contests after losing five in a row ... Hill is coming off the COVID injury list. “I saw him this morning. He feels great,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said before Friday’s game ... Alex Verdugo was removed from Friday’s game in the seventh inning because of a right-foot contusion. X-rays on his foot were negative, and he is listed as day-to-day. Song of the Day: The Who (I Can't Explain)www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb6UL8c-vc4
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 15:26:01 GMT -5
Julian McWilliams @byjulianmack · 7m Rich Hill officially activated. Kutter Crawford optioned to Triple A. Jaylin Davis DFA’d.
Red Sox Stats @redsoxstats · 3m That’s the right move. Crawford has promise but he has stuff to work on and needs to be pitching on a regular multi-inning schedule. Needs to find a way to weaken contact allowed.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 17:26:50 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 15m A day after John Lackey was here, another tough righty with a WS ring watched batting practice.
Jake Arrietta said hello to former teammate Nick Pivetta and chatted with Alex Cora for a bit.
No, he's not starting tomorrow.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 14, 2022 18:53:20 GMT -5
Pete Abraham @peteabe · 33m JDM extends his hit streak to 15 games with a homer to left.
Loud cheers from the Red Sox fans here.
Small-ball Sox use a bunt and sac fly to make it 3-1 in the second.
Raffy off the LF pole and it's 5-1.
Only the 4th multiple-HR game for the Sox, first since May 3.
They have not hit 3 in a game this season.
24 runs last 4 games for the #RedSox.
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Post by scrappyunderdog on May 14, 2022 22:37:00 GMT -5
Just back from Nashville. My princess has graduated. Seems like I just dropped her off there. Tempis Fugit.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:26:04 GMT -5
Rafael Devers, J.D. Martinez homer, Boston Red Sox win consecutive games for first time since April 16-17 Updated: May. 15, 2022, 1:21 a.m. | Published: May. 14, 2022, 10:32 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers both homered, marking the first time since May 3 the Red Sox belted two home runs in a game.
The offense stayed hot in Texas. The Red Sox won 11-3 over the Rangers on Saturday here at Globe Life Field.
Boston has won the first two games of this three-game series by scoring a combined 18 runs on 24 hits.
It marks the Red Sox’s first series win since April 11-13 in Detroit vs. the Tigers. It also marks the first time Boston has won two straight games since April 16-17 vs. the Twins at Fenway.
Boston’s 11 runs is the most it has scored in a single game this season.
Martinez’s solo blast went 404 feet to left-center field. It traveled off his bat at 105.3 mph and put Boston ahead 1-0 in the first inning.
Devers’ two-run home run went 359 feet off the left field foul pole. It capped a four-run second-inning rally and put Boston ahead 5-1.
Hill pitches into seventh
Rich Hill, who hadn’t pitched since May 5 because of COVID, allowed three runs (two earned), seven hits and no walks while striking out four in 6-plus innings. He has a 2.89 ERA.
Hill went 20 ⅔ innings without allowing an earned run before the stretch got broken up in the seventh inning here Saturday.
Bottom third of the lineup gets it done
The Red Sox received rare production from the bottom third of their lineup, combing to go 6-for-14.
No. 7 hitter Christian Vázquez, who entered slashing .217/.273/.290/.563, stroked two hits, including an RBI double in the fifth. He scored twice.
No. 8 hitter Bobby Dalbec, who entered slashing .146/.228/.220/.448, delivered an RBI single in the top of the second inning. He also doubled in the fourth inning.
No. 9 hitter Jackie Bradley Jr., who entered slashing .189/.260/.274/.533, singled in both the fourth and ninth. HIs RBI infield single in the ninth put Boston ahead 11-3.
Cordero continues to produce
Franchy Cordero went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, walk and three runs.
He had two of the top three exit velocities in the game: a 111.4 mph RBI single and 107.6 mph groundout.
He also stroked a 101.6 mph single and 100.4 mph, 379-foot flyout.
Sunday’s game
The Red Sox will face former teammate, lefty Martín Pérez (1-2, 2.10 ERA) on Sunday at 2:35 p.m., eastern. Boston has not yet announced its starter.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:28:13 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox go with Austin Davis (not Tanner Houck) to start Sunday’s game vs. Rangers Updated: May. 14, 2022, 11:43 p.m. | Published: May. 14, 2022, 11:42 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Lefty Austin Davis will start for the Red Sox on Sunday against the Texas Rangers here at Globe Life Field.
He’ll serve more as an opener but manager Alex Cora said Davis is capable of pitching beyond the first inning.
“He can give us multiple innings,” Cora said. “He’s done it before. So it’s one of those where we’ll see how their lineup is and we’ll mix and match for 27 (outs).”
This will be the first time Davis has made a start in his major league career. He last started a game in 2016 at High-A Clearwater.
It’s an interesting decision to go with Davis over Tanner Houck who has started four games this season and hasn’t pitched since this past Sunday (May 8).
Houck began the season in the starting rotation. He was unable to make his start in Toronto on April 26 because he is unvaccinated. Unvaccinated players are not allowed into Canada.
Since then, he has made two relief outings and one start. The start came this past Sunday when he allowed three earned runs in 2 ⅔ innings against the White Sox.
He has allowed 10 earned runs in 8 innings over his past three outings.
Cora was asked if Houck is OK.
“Yeah, he’s OK,” Cora said.
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