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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:29:21 GMT -5
How’s Boston Red Sox’s Rich Hill dominating at 42 with 88-89 mph fastball? It’s ‘pitching with a relentless intensity,’ he explains
Updated: May. 15, 2022, 1:12 a.m. | Published: May. 15, 2022, 12:27 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Red Sox lefty Rich Hill hadn’t pitched since May 5 because he had COVID.
He spent eight days away from the team before returning Friday. He was reinstated Saturday from the COVID IL, started and pitched into the seventh inning. He led the Red Sox to an 11-3 victory over the Rangers at Globe Life Field.
Hill is dominating at 42 years old. He went 20 ⅔ innings without allowing an earned run before the stretch got broken up in the seventh inning Saturday.
He allowed three runs (two earned), seven hits and no walks while striking out four in 6-plus innings vs. the Rangers. He has a 2.89 ERA in six starts. He was so close to posting his fourth straight start without allowing an earned run.
His 31 fastballs Saturday averaged 88.8 mph. He topped out at 90.5 mph. He still recorded four swings-and-misses with the fastball, six with his breaking balls and one with his changeup, per Baseball Savant.
How is he able to do what he’s doing right now?
How?
He answered the question sounding like a philosopher.
“That one pitch at a time approach and making competitive pitches and continuously attacking the strike zone,” Hill said. “Pitching with a relentless intensity. That’s what it is. You remove yourself from the results. That’s the biggest thing. And if you’re pitching for the moment and understanding each pitch is its own entity, its own moment, we can look back at the end of the day and be satisfied with the way the ball came out of your hand. So that’s really what it is. It’s making the ball come out of your hand as many times as possible the way you want it to.”
Hill’s curveball spin rate ranks in the 73rd percentile in the majors and his fastball spin ranks in the 60th percentile. He’s also spotting his pitches. He has allowed just one walk in his past three starts.
The hard hit percentage and expected batting average are in the 61st percentile.
“That’s who he is,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “He’s a good pitcher. Different pitcher than the ones that are out there right now. He doesn’t throw 97. He doesn’t have a wipeout slider. But he changes speed with the fastball and the breaking ball. Different angles. He competes. That’s the most important thing. We’ve been talking about competing the whole week. We’ve done a pretty good as a group and he’s a guy that he’s seen it all. And he’s a good influence for that group in the clubhouse.”
Hill set the Red Sox up well for their bullpen game Sunday when they will use Austin Davis as an opener.
“Rich gave us what we needed going into tomorrow,” Cora said
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:30:29 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Franchy Cordero crushing hits, walking and ‘putting everything together’; Martín Pérez will face old teammates Sunday
Updated: May. 15, 2022, 2:12 a.m. | Published: May. 15, 2022, 2:05 a.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Franchy Cordero went 2-for-4 with an RBI single, walk and three runs in the Red Sox’s 11-3 victory over the Rangers here at Globe Life Field on Saturday.
He connected for two of the game’s top three exit velocities — a 111.4 mph RBI single and 107.6 mph groundout.
His other single left his bat at 101.6 mph. He also hit a 379-foot flyout that left his bat at 100.4 mph.
“Right now I’m feeling good,” Cordero said. “All the work that I have been doing from last year, putting everything together. And I think it’s working.”
He has five walks in his past four games. He’s 7-for-25 (.280) with a .406 on-base percentage in May. He has six walks compared to five strikeouts.
In the offseason, Cordero worked on trying to strike a balance between making contact and hitting for power. He and the Red Sox feel he might have been trading some intensity in his swing just to try to make contact last year. The Red Sox want him to swing aggressively.
“I’m just waiting for my pitch and just try to put my best swing on it,” he said.
Bottom third of lineup goes 6-for-14
Boston’s bottom three hitters combined to go 6-for-14 with three RBIs and four runs.
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 second inning and doubled in the fourth inning. He also scored two runs.
No. 9 hitter Jackie Bradley Jr., who entered slashing .189/.260/.274/.533, singled in both the fourth and ninth innings. His infield RBI single in the ninth put Boston ahead 11-3. He also had a sacrifice bunt during the four-run second inning.
“The bottom of the lineup did an amazing job,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Bobby with the base hit. Jackie with a sac bunt. Kiké Hernández drives him in and then Raffy with the big swing.”
Rafael Devers belted a two-run homer that went 359 feet off the foul pole in left field. It capped the four-run second-inning rally and put Boston ahead 5-1.
“We kept the line moving and it was another good one for the offense,” Cora said.
18 runs, 24 hits in two games
The Red Sox have scored 18 runs on 24 hits in two wins here.
Both Devers and J.D. Martinez homered. It was the first time since May 5 the Red Sox homered twice in a game.
“I get it. I understand. We got off to a bad start,” Cora said. “But it seems like we’re putting better swings. J.D. right away with the breaking ball in the zone. Crushed it. Raffy, that’s amazing, too. Changeup. To keep it fair, it takes a special hitter to do that. And we ran the bases well. We did a lot of good things today. And they’re feeling good about themselves.”
Red Sox to face Martín Pérez
The Red Sox will face former teammate Martín Pérez on Sunday. He has a 2.10 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and .203 batting average against in six starts for Texas this season.
“Martín’s throwing the ball well. Just grind at-bats with him,” Cora said.
By the numbers
The Red Sox are 3-1 on the road trip, which will conclude Sunday with a 2:35 p.m. eastern first pitch.
Boston has won the first two games of this three-game series by scoring a combined 18 runs on 24 hits.
This 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.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:41:17 GMT -5
Red Sox offense boasts Texas-sized eruption
2:05 AM ADT
Arianna Vedia
Arianna Vedia
@nanavedia
ARLINGTON -- Despite Boston’s offensive struggles this season, Jackie Bradley Jr. claimed last week that the team’s confidence was unwavering.
At that point, the Red Sox had lost three straight -- and would eventually lose their next two after that -- and just weren’t able to get things going at the plate, leaving almost no margin for error for the pitching staff.
It seemed that way heading into the series against the Rangers, too. Before what would be an explosive sixth inning for the Red Sox on Friday, the team was a combined 2-for-17 at the plate with five strikeouts and two walks. Rafael Devers struck out to lead off that sixth inning, which was followed by Boston scoring four runs in almost a blink of an eye.
The Red Sox maintained that consistency on Saturday in an 11-3 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field, and they didn’t wait until the latter half of the game to show it.
“We know we have a good team,” manager Alex Cora said. “Nothing has changed. We just got off to a bad start. We didn’t expect to get off to a slow start offensively, but the last few days have been better.”
A two-out homer off the bat of J.D. Martinez in the first inning got Boston started. The bottom half of the lineup then pushed things even further in the second inning, with the first three hitters reaching base to open the frame. It was capped off by an RBI single from Bobby Dalbec, a Kiké Hernández sac fly and a two-out, two-run home run from Devers.
In the end, every single Red Sox batter reached base, with six of them logging two-hit games. Trevor Story was the only Boston hitter to leave the night without an RBI, while Hernández led the way with three.
Boston registered a season-high 14 hits en route to its first series victory -- second overall -- since Mid-April when the Red Sox took two of three against Detroit. Now, they have a chance to accomplish something that has been out of reach all season: a series sweep.
“Offensively, we’re getting there,” Cora said. “The bottom of the lineup did an amazing job.”
Boston’s offense has scored 30 runs over the last four games, compared to a combined five in the four games before that.
The streak continues
Martinez reached base in four of his five plate appearances on Saturday, extending his on-base streak to 31 games and his hitting streak to 15 games. The on-base streak dates back to Sept. 29 of last season and is the longest active in the Majors.
Martinez is 4-for-7 this series with three runs, three walks and one RBI.
Rich Hill’s return
Hill was back on the mound Friday after being on the COVID-IL for almost a week.
While in quarantine, Hill said he went out to a field and practiced pitching into a net so that he’d stay game ready for whenever he was cleared to play.
In his first start since May 5, Hill turned in six innings and earned his first win of the season, improving to 1-1. He allowed two earned runs off seven hits, striking out four with no walks.
“It’s just that one-pitch-at-a-time approach,” Hill said in reference to his progress this season. “You remove yourself from the results. That’s the biggest thing, and if we’re pitching for the moment and understanding each pitch is its own entity, its own moment, then we can look back at the end of day and be satisfied with the way the ball came out of your hand.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:42:27 GMT -5
Bill Koch
@billkoch25
·
5h
Red Sox are 13-20. They've won a series for the second time in 2022.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:49:05 GMT -5
RED SOX NOTEBOOK
Red Sox hope more time in Triple A will help Kutter Crawford’s development
By Julian McWilliams Globe Staff,Updated May 14, 2022, 8:08 p.m.
ARLINGTON, Texas — Kutter Crawford’s first real stint in the majors didn’t go as planned. The Red Sox activated Rich Hill off the COVID-related injured list prior to Saturday’s 11-3 win over the Rangers and optioned Crawford to Triple A Worcester.
Hill pitched six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits and striking out four.
“It wasn’t easy to get [Crawford] innings,” manager Alex Cora said. “And, obviously, you see the games that we have played all season. They have been close games. I do believe for now and the future it was the best move.”
The Red Sox were encouraged by Crawford’s stuff coming out of spring training and their goal was to use him in multiple innings of relief. But Crawford struggled, posting an 8.44 ERA in 10⅔ innings of work. Crawford had command issues, as well, walking eight batters. In an April 18 appearance against the Twins, Crawford walked five.
“I think out of character were the walks,” Cora said. “This kid has been a strike thrower his whole career. That’s what everyone was talking about in spring training.”
The move allows Crawford to get reps in Triple A which the Sox believe is most important to his development.
“Getting an opportunity to get regular reps is important,” said Ben Crockett, the team’s vice president of player development. “We are still continuing to develop him. And I think giving opportunity to get stretched out and get a regular opportunity to throw all of his pitches and hone in on the strike zone [is important].”
Hill’s quarantine
Hill got in some work in during his COVID quarantine, but nothing too fancy. He had a net at his house that he threw into. He would go out to vacant fields near his home and throw. Just him and a ball.
“It probably looked crazy,” Hill said after the game. “But I was staying ready.”
Once Hill was cleared to return to action, he threw a bullpen at Fenway to a catcher from Babson College.
It paid off.
Hill, 42, is the oldest Red Sox lefthander to get a win since David Wells against Detroit at 43 on Aug. 16, 2006.
Kevin Millar in the booth
Kevin Millar, a member of the Red Sox’ 2004 World Series championship team, is in the NESN broadcast booth as the color analyst for the series, joining Dave O’Brien.
Millar hosts Intentional Talk on MLB Network, but acknowledged the broadcast booth is a different formula.
“Dave O’Brien does such a great job,” Millar said. “So you need somebody good like that to help you because it’s still nerve-racking to know the process and you’re doing some reads. You’re jumping in and out and want to not tell stories with two outs. I’ll start talking.”
Millar is long-winded, and he said having someone like O’Brien by his side, telling him when to “shut up” is helpful. Millar has enjoyed the experience, even joking with Cora that he has to join the team for their next road series because they won Friday. The experience for Millar is particularly special because it’s the Red Sox.
“The Red Sox are like a family,” Millar said. “Over the years, it’s about relationships, but then again it’s the Red Sox, and I was like, ‘Man, oh, man I want to try it.’ ”
Alex Verdugo sits with foot contusion
Alex Verdugo (right foot contusion) was out of the lineup after fouling a ball off his foot Friday. Verdugo tested the foot Saturday, sprinting once on the field, but ultimately the team decided the best decision would be for him to sit. Franchy Cordero (2 for 4, RBI) got the start in left field in place of Verdugo and Bobby Dalbec (2 for 5, RBI) started at first … The Sox will have a bullpen game Sunday. Cora said Austin Davis will start and could go multiple innings … Top prospect Marcelo Mayer (right wrist soreness) missed his fourth consecutive game for Low A Salem. He’s expected to play Sunday … Worcester outfielder Jaylin Davis was designated for assignment.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:51:09 GMT -5
Pete Abraham
@peteabe
·
6h
Final: #RedSox 11, #Rangers 3.
* Most runs of the season.
* First series win since taking 2 of 3 from Detroit April 11-13.
* Consecutive wins for the first time since April 16-17.
* 30 runs on 42 hits last 4 games
Gotta love Rich Hill. He thew his bullpen to one of the Babson College catchers a few days ago at Fenway and otherwise stayed loose during his Covid stint by throwing a bucket of balls into a net.
Came out tonight and 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 94/64.
Hill (42) is the oldest Red Sox pitcher to earn a victory since 45-year-old Tim Wakefield in 2011 and the oldest lefty since 43-year-old David Wells in in 2006.
He's also oldest pitcher to ever beat the Rangers.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 3:53:15 GMT -5
Alex Speier
@alexspeier
·
7h
For the first time this year, the Red Sox have scored 6+ runs in back-to-back games.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 4:12:10 GMT -5
Red Sox @ Rangers
Sunday 15th May 2022
2:30 @ Globe Life Park
Austin Davis
Perez 1-2/2.10
Sunday, May 15, 2022 at 2:35pm EDT
Written by Adam Rauzino
The Boston Red Sox (12-20, 16-16 RL, 9-18-5 O/U) and the Texas Rangers (13-18, 18-13 RL, 13-16-2 O/U) wrap up a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The Red Sox are expected to use the bullpen for this one. The Rangers give the nod to Martin Perez who is targeting a second consecutive win. The Red Sox posted a 7-1 win in Friday’s series opener and an 11-3 win on Saturday.
Red Sox Conclude Road Trip
This is more of a bullpen start for the Red Sox. They could opt with an opener and go from there or possibly call up Josh Winckowski from Triple-A. The right-hander has spent a lot of time in the Minors and is having success, recording a 2.75 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP in five starts in Triple-A this season. The Red Sox pen ranks 24th overall with a 4.08 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP.
Boston is having a disastrous season due in part to a struggling bullpen. They have lost several games in the ninth or extra innings. Series wins have been rare for a squad that is expected to contend. Boston was swept by the White Sox and followed by registering one win in two bouts against the Braves prior to this series. This marks the last game of a five-game road trip.
Rafael Devers is swinging a hot bat, collecting nine hits and six RBIs in hits last six games. The 25-year-old third baseman is now hitting .313 with 16 RBIs and an .834 OPS on the season. Devers only drove in three runs against Texas last year and went 1 for 5 in Friday’s win.
The Red Sox offense has been subpar, averaging 3.56 runs, ranking them 26th overall. The pitching staff has recorded a 3.69 team ERA, placing them 15th in the big leagues.
Perez Starts, Rangers Struggling at Home
Martin Perez is on the hill for the seventh time of the season. Perez conceded four runs (one earned) in 6.1 innings against the Royals last time out and earned the win to improve to 1-2. The veteran southpaw has better much better than expected, allowing one or zero earned runs in four consecutive outings, and is sporting a fantastic 2.10 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP in 34.1 innings of action. Perez has struggled against the Red Sox in his career, recording a 5.11 ERA and a 3-2 record in eight starts.
Texas has been more competitive recently. They were involved in close games at Yankee Stadium last week and won their home series against the Royals. Overall, the Rangers have struggled at home where they are 6-11 on the season.
Corey Seager is heating up at the plate which is definitely a welcome sight. The 28-year-old shortstop has three homers and three RBI’s in his last five clashes. Overall it’s been a subpar year for the former World Series champion, amassing 15 RBIs and a .719 OPS.
The Rangers are posting an average of 3.90 runs on the year, positioning them 20th in the Majors. The pitching staff has been more efficient recently and has a 3.94 team ERA, tabbing them 20th overall.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 11:14:37 GMT -5
Game 34: Red Sox at Rangers lineups and notesBy Amin Touri Globe Staff,Updated May 15, 2022, 1 hour ago The Red Sox have seemingly found their groove at the plate with 30 runs scored over the last four games, and they’ll try and keep the good times rolling and notch their first series sweep of the year on Sunday. Austin Davis is on the mound against the Rangers, most likely in an “opener” role for a couple of innings at most in his first career start. The southpaw has faced Texas twice, tossing a clean inning on both occasions. The Rangers will counter with a familiar face; former Sox starter Martín Pérez has the ball against his old employers for the first time since returning to the team with whom he started his major league career. Pérez has been shaky against Boston in the past, with a 5.11 ERA in 11 previous outings. Lineups RED SOX (13-20): Hernández CF, Devers 3B, Martinez DH, Bogaerts SS, Story 2B, Arroyo RF, Verdugo LF, Dalbec 1B, Plawecki C Pitching: LHP Austin Davis (0-1, 2.70 ERA) RANGERS (13-19): White LF, Semien 2B, Seager SS, Heim C, Garcia CF, Calhoun RF, Lowe 1B, Ibañez 3B, Miller DH Pitching: LHP Martín Pérez (1-2, 2.10 ERA) Time: 2:35 p.m. TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7 Red Sox vs. Pérez: Arroyo 1-2, Bogaerts 2-15, Bradley Jr. 2-11, Devers 0-3, Martinez 0-8, Plawecki 0-2, Vázquez 0-2 Rangers vs. Davis: Calhoun 0-0, Culberson 1-2, Ibáñez 1-1, Seager 0-1, Semien 1-1 Stat of the day: The Red Sox have scored more runs in their last four games than they had in the previous 11. Notes: Boston earned its first series win since April 11-13 at Detroit on Saturday, and it also marks the first time the Red Sox have won two straight games since April 16-17 at home against the Minnesota Twins ... Saturday’s game was the first time the Red Sox had at least two home runs in the same game since May 3, and Boston’s 11 runs are the most it has scored in a game this season ... J.D. Martinez homered and extended his hitting streak to 15 games; he has reached base in all of his 26 games this season ... Alex Verdugo remains day-to-day with a foot contusion ... The Rangers have a team batting average of .216 — only the Oakland Athletics (.201) are worse in the American League — and a staff ERA of 4.13 ... Pérez has surrendered just two earned runs over 26 1/3 innings (0.68 ERA) in his past four starts after dropping his first two outings. Song of the Day: The Headstones-Cubically Containedwww.youtube.com/watch?v=Tto3P-k0Jqc
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 11:16:57 GMT -5
Christopher Smith
@smittyonmlb
·
7m
Michael Wacha threw a bullpen. Will throw sim game tomorrow. He should be back when his 15 days on the IL expires
Nothing new with Sale or Paxton in terms of Red Sox injury updates
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 12:51:12 GMT -5
Lou Merloni
@loumerloni
·
4m
Going on Sox pregame and suggesting Sox aren’t starting Houck because they’re mad at him for not getting vaccinated has to be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. Keep your politics out of it. They’re trying to win games not teach lessons.
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 18:57:25 GMT -5
gas can gang strikes again
brasier should be DFAd
like
last week
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 19:09:52 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox lose as Ryan Brasier allows back-to-back homers of combined 827 feet vs. Rangers in sixth
Updated: May. 15, 2022, 6:34 p.m. | Published: May. 15, 2022, 5:35 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Red Sox reliever Ryan Brasier allowed back-to-back home runs in the sixth inning and the Red Sox lost 7-1 to the Rangers here at Globe Life Field on Sunday.
Adolis García blasted a 413-foot three-run homer to give Texas the lead. Kole Calhoun followed with a 414-foot blast.
Brasier has allowed four homers in 12 ⅓ innings this season. He surrendered a walkoff homer to Braves’ Orlando Arcia on Wednesday.
Boston won the first two games of the series but couldn’t complete the sweep and dropped to 13-21.
Former Red Sox Martín Pérez, who Boston demoted to the bullpen during last year, earned the win for Texas. He gave up just one run, five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 6 innings.
Devers bashed a 405-foot RBI double to put the Red Sox ahead 1-0 in the fifth inning. He has crushed everything lately. The ball left his bat at 110.6 mph.
The Rangers tied it 1-1 in the fifth inning when Calhoun homered against Tanner Houck.
Houck followed opener Austin Davis who went 2 scoreless and hitless innings. Houck allowed just the one run and one hit in 3 innings.
Brasier replaced Houck.
García added a two-run homer of Tyler Danish in the ninth.
Martinez extends hitting streak to 16 games
J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 16 games and his on-base streak to 32 games dating back to last season.
Red Sox host Astros
The Red Sox will host the Astros for three games starting Monday.
Red Sox righty Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 2.19 ERA) will start opposite Astros right-hander Jake Odorizzi (3-2, 3.38 ERA).
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 19:12:05 GMT -5
Boston Red Sox notebook: Ryan Brasier has allowed 4 HRs in 12.1 innings; Alex Cora takes blame for mishandling situation
Updated: May. 15, 2022, 7:47 p.m. | Published: May. 15, 2022, 6:54 p.m.
By Christopher Smith | csmith@masslive.com
ARLINGTON, Texas — Ryan Brasier has given up a lot of hard contact so far this season and it continued Sunday.
He allowed back-to-back homers of a combined 827 feet to Adolis García and Kole Calhoun during the sixth inning. A tie game quickly turned into a 5-1 lead for the Rangers.
The Red Sox lost 7-1 to Texas here at Globe Life Field.
Brasier ranks in the one percentile among major league pitchers in hard hit percentage, per Baseball Savant. The average exit velocity against him is in the two percentile.
“The fastball is down in the zone,” manager Alex Cora said about Brasier. “And that one, we have to do a better job managing the situation. We have the lefty ready for the next guy (Calhoun). So we’ve got to keep the ball in the ballpark, expand the zone.”
Cora pointed out that Brasier threw a first-pitch slider to García, then left a fastball over the middle of the plate for the home run.
“He crushed that pitch,” Cora said.
Cora stressed the Red Sox can’t give García a pitch like that to hit in that situation.
“Recognize the situation. Maybe on me not going to the mound or something because we had the lefty ready for Calhoun (a left-handed hitter),” Cora said. “So in that situation, it’s swing-and-miss or walk with two outs. And we take the next matchup and see what happens.”
Brasier showed better velocity with his fastball Sunday, averaging 95.3 mph. But the pitch still got hit hard because he wasn’t elevating it.
“It’s been getting hit around a little bit,” Brasier said. “I’m not used to not having it. That’s what I pitch with. That’s what I live and die by. Hopefully I can continue to do that but come with different results.”
Pérez dominates the Sox
Former Red Sox Martín Pérez, who Boston demoted to the bullpen during last year, earned the win for Texas. He gave up just one run, five hits and two walks while striking out seven in 6 innings.
“He will pitch to the edges until he can’t,” Cora said. “I think 2-0 counts, first pitch, 3-1s, we tried to do too much in certain points. And then he got on a roll and the changeup started playing. He had that backdoor cutter. It’s actually a better pitch than last year. That’s big. Last year it kind of played like a slider. Now it’s a true cutter. Short. And he was able to dot it on the outside part of the plate.”
Martinez extends hitting streak to 16 games
J.D. Martinez extended his hitting streak to 16 games and his on-base streak to 32 games dating back to last season.
“Now that he’s taking his walks, he’s becoming more dangerous,” Cora said. “He’s a guy that since day one when we got him, it just changed the whole complexion of the lineup.”
Cora pointed out how Martinez always is working.
“It’s nonstop,” Cora said. “Even the other day, the off day by the pool, he’s there, he’s watching video and talking to his group about swings and all that. Actually, Foxy and Carlos bought him a drink.”
Major league field coordinator Andy Fox and third base coach Carlos Febles chipped in.
“A rum and Coke,” Cora said before Sunday’s game. “He was so excited about it. But he’s just nonstop. He doesn’t detach his mind from the process.”
Bradley has 7 defensive runs saved
Jackie Bradley Jr. leads all major league right fielders with 7 defensive runs saved despite platooning.
“It’s something we envisioned,” Cora said. “I think Kiké (Hernández) is having a good year, too, in center field. We noticed it right away with Rich (Hill) especially, there’s a lot of mis-hit baseballs to right field. ... The presence and the first step and anticipation. And obviously I think the arm is playing more. He’s been doing OK against righties. We’ll keep platooning. But so far, it’s been a pleasure to watch.”
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Post by CP_Jon_GoSox on May 15, 2022 19:16:08 GMT -5
Bill Koch
@billkoch25
·
3h
Ryan Brasier up to a 6.75 ERA after that Kole Calhoun homer. He's also allowed eight of 11 inherited runners to score this season.
There doesn't seem to be a worthwhile role for him in this bullpen. The Red Sox are already carrying Matt Barnes through his own struggles.
Red Sox are 13-21. They miss out on what could have been a first series sweep of the season.
Bullpen games should be outlawed until Boston has something resembling depth/structure. Asking five or six guys to pitch well right now is unrealistic.
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