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Sox J.D. Martinez to COVID Injured List

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BOSTON – (Source: Official Club News Release) – The Boston Red Sox today placed designated hitter/outfielder J.D. Martinez on the COVID-19 Related Injured List. To fill his spot on the 26-man roster, infielder Michael Chavis was recalled from the Alternate Training Site. Chavis will be available for tonight’s game at the Baltimore Orioles, according to Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom.

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Through seven games this season, Martinez has hit .433 (13-for-30) with seven doubles, two home runs, and 12 RBI. Entering play today, the right-handed batter led all major league players in extra-base hits (nine) and ranked among American League leaders in slugging percentage (3rd; .867), OPS (4th; 1.335), and batting average (5th).

Dating back to last season, Martinez has hit safely in eight straight games, and has recorded at least one extra-base hit in all of his team’s first seven games of the year, making him one of five players in MLB history to do so.

This marks the first major league stint of 2021 for Chavis, 25, who began the year at the club’s Alternate Training Site at Triple-A Worcester. In 25 Grapefruit League games this spring he hit .250 (15-for-60) with three doubles, six home runs, 11 RBI,

Tatum Scores 53; Celtics Win in OT

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BOSTON – Boston Celtics all-star forward Jason Tatum scored a career-high 53 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter and overtime, to lead the Celtics to a 145-136 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night. It was the first 50-point game for the 23-year-old Tatum. Boston’s Jaylen Brown had 26 points. Marcus Smart added 24 points, eight assists and six rebounds to help Boston to its fourth win in five games.

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“Scoring 50 is a big thing in this league,” said Tatum. “It’s a night I’ll always remember. First 50-point game and we got the win on top of that. Every win right now is big. So we’ll take it.”

Boston erased a 17-point deficit in the third quarter and then led by eight points in the fourth before Minnesota was able to fight back and send it into overtime. The Celtics took a 135-129 lead on a three-pointer by guard Kemba Walker.

Minnesota got within 135-132 on a three-point play by D’Angelo Russell. But Boston outscored the Timberwolves 10-4 to close-out the home victory. Center Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Russell finished with 26 points and Anthony Edwards had 24 points in the loss.

Boston finished their seven-game homestead at (4-3) and now depart for a three-game Western swing that starts in Denver on Sunday, April 11. Boston also plays at Portland and at Los Angeles against the Lakers on Thursday night.

Bruins Win Three-of-Four to Tighten NHL East Playoff Race

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Bruins to Face Buffalo Sabres Six Times in Playoff Stretch

BOSTON – Since a two-game COVID+ protocol postponement stretch (March 20-23), the Boston Bruins have won five of their last nine games, including three of the last four, and have tightened the race for the NHL’s East division.

The Bruins will have an upcoming three-game stretch to refine their newly regained form before they meet the division-leading New York Islanders for back-to-back games on April 15-16. Those two games are part of a key five-game home stand for the Bruins when the face their division rival Washington Capitals and the upstart Islanders.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins are also ahead of Boston in the standings and the clubs have split each of the last two back-to-backs, most recently played April 1 and 3 in Boston.

The Bruins have 18 more scheduled games left in the regular season, and because of a scheduling quirk, six of those games are against the Buffalo Sabres (9-24-6 OTL), the cellar-dwellers of the entire NHL.

The Bruins currently lead the Philadelphia Flyers by six points for the fourth and final playoff spot in the East.

Although he has returned to practice and travel with the club, the Bruins have not started No. 1 goalkeeper Tuukka Rask since 1-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils on March 7. Since then, G Jaroslav Halak has handled the bulk of the goaltending duty, backed by Dan Vlader and, most recently Jeremy Swayman. It was Swayman who anchored the Bruins’ last two victories, both 4-2 wins at Philadelphia and Washington DC.

 

MLB: Red Sox Continue to Roll

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Red Sox Jump to First Place Tie with Four-Game Win Streak

BALTIMORE – The Boston Red Sox scored a grand total of five runs during their three-game, season-opening losing streak. Since their last loss, an 11-2 thrashing by these Baltimore Orioles on April 4, Boston scored 33 runs in four straight wins to go from last place to a tie for first in the American League East. After a rare Friday off-day, the Sox and Orioles will break that tie with their next game scheduled at Camden Yards Saturday evening at 7:05pm EDT.

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Red Sox SP Eduardo Rodríguez won in his return from a year-long absence from the mound. He has returned to active duty after a 2020 bout with COVID-19 and heart inflammation that sidelined him indefinitely in the abbreviated 60-game season. In his return, Rodriguez allowed three runs over five innings Thursday to lead the Boston Red Sox over Baltimore, 7-3, spoiling the Orioles’ home opener.

Rodriguez, 28, was placed on the 10-day injured list to start this season, citing left elbow inflammation (retroactive to March 29). After missing the entire 2020 season due to myocarditis, the left-hander made four starts in spring training and went 3-0 with a 2.63 ERA (4 ER/13.2 IP), 15 strikeouts, and two walks. In 127 career games (122 starts) with the Red Sox, Rodriguez is 51-31 with a 4.03 ERA (313 ER/699.0 IP). In 2019, he finished sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting.

Thursday’s Boston victory over Baltimore came after the Sox had evened their record at 3-3 (.500) with a three-game sweep over divisional rival Tampa Bay. During the series, the Sox recorded a +17 run differential (26-9), batted .339 with a .903 OPS, posted a 2.10 ERA and .194 opponent AVG, committed 0 errors, and allowed 0 HR.

Of the 20 seasons in which the Red Sox started 0-3, this season is only the second time they rebounded to win their next three games and move to 3-3. The previous occurrence was back in 1951.

 

 

NBA: Celtics Approach Final Month

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Boston Celtics Competing for Playoff Spot in Eastern Conference

BOSTON – Since dropping six of eight games between March 11 and 24th, the Boston Celtics utilized the NBA Trading deadline to shake-up an inconsistent line-up and have won three of their last four games and five of their last eight. After a home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight which caps a seven-game home stand (3-3), Boston heads out west for three games to begin the crucial final month of the NBA regular season.

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Remember! The NBA season began a month later than usual and will conclude on May 16, rather than the normal mid-April finish.

Boston is coming off an important and hard fought victory over the Knicks, (101-99) at TD Garden. Celtics’ all-star swingman Jaylen Brown had a double-double effort with a game-high 32 points and 10 rebounds with two steals while fellow all-star forward Jayson Tatum added 25 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Boston’s team-leader in guard Marcus Smart had one of his best all-around performances of the season with 17 points and nine assists.

Celtics forward-center Tristan Thompson made his return to the lineup and recorded seven points, eight rebounds and a season-high three blocks in just over 22 minutes coming off the bench.

The Knicks were led by RJ Barrett and his 29 points and five rebounds while Julius Randle added 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

Newly acquired Celtics forward Evan Fournier is out and under league protocol guidelines. Just a week ago, Fournier scored 20 of his 23 points against Houston (April 2) during the fourth quarter on seven-for-seven shooting including six three pointers.

Fournier’s performance came after his scoreless, 0-for-10 debut with the Celtics after his trade from Orlando. According
to ESPN Stats & Info, Fournier is the second Boston Celtics player in the last 25 seasons to score 20 points on 100% shooting in a quarter, joining Paul Pierce who recorded the feat in 2009 against Chicago.

Fournier’s seven three-pointers on the night was also tied for the second most by a Celtic in franchise history coming off of the bench behind Eddie House’s eight three pointers which he made against Sacramento on Jan. 28, 2009.

Boston tonight faces a (13-39) Minnesota team, losers in three of their last four games, including a 141-137 loss at Indiana (April 7) to begin this current two-game road-trip. Minnesota’s head coach, Chris Finch, took over on February 22. He is 6-15 since taking the reigns from dismissed Coach Ryan Saunders.

MLB: Red Sox in the Win Column

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Red Sox Offense Emerged in 11-2 Win Over Tampa

BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox snapped a three-game, season opening losing streak with an 11-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays at Fenway Park. Eight of the Boston nine batters recorded at least a hit and six Sox recorded multiple hits which hadn’t happened since August, 2019.

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Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless baseball, his ninth career scoreless start. He allowed only two hits and struck-out four. Dating back to last season, Pivetta is now 3-0 with the Red Sox with a 1.20 ERA.

Rays starter Michael Wacha recorded four of his first six outs with strike-outs, including striking out the side to open the 1st inning but then the Red Sox offense came alive in numerous ways:

  • J.D. Martinez recorded his third straight multi-hit game and went 2-for-3, with two walks, a home run and three RBI.
  • Alex Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a 2B and sacrifice fly for two RBI.
  • Xander Bogaerts matched his career-high for hits in a game by going 4-for-5 with a 2B and an RBI.
  • Newcomer Frenchy Cordero gave the Sox a 1-0 lead with his 2B in the 2nd inning and went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
  • Hunter Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly to give Boston a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning, to add to his 2-for-3 performance.
  • Catcher Christian Vazquez led off the 2nd and 4th inning with singles and scored each time in his 2-for-4 outing.
  • Utility man Marwin Gonzalez proved his versatility as he became the first major leaguer since 1900 to start his team’s first four games at four different positions (LF, 2B, 3B and 1B). He went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored twice.

The Red Sox and Rays square-off again tonight at 7:10pm (EDT). Tyler Glasnow will be pitching for the Rays while Martin Perez starts for Boston.

 

MLB: Red Sox Drop First Three Games

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BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox lost their third consecutive game to begin the season, an 11-3 thrashing by the Baltimore Orioles. It marked the 20th time the Red Sox have lost three consecutive games to begin a season, the first time since 2012. It marked the second time the Sox lost their first three at home, dating back to 1948.

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Baltimore earned their sweep of the Red Sox in a three-game series for the first time since 2017, a series which also came at Fenway Park. The Orioles scored seven runs in the 3rd inning to break the game open and post a 10-0 lead. For the O’, it marked the most runs scored in a single inning against the Red Sox since scoring seven runs in the 5th inning of a 16-3 win on August 25, 2017 at Fenway Park…That was also their most recent time scoring at least 7 runs in an inning on the road.

Centerfielder Cedric Mullins went 5-for-5 with a walk, while hitting three doubles and scoring three times. He set career highs in hits (five), 2B (three), extra base hits (three), and times reaching base safely (six). Mullins is just the fourth Orioles leadoff hitter to reach base safely six times in a game, joining Brady Anderson (6, 1992), Bob Boyd (6, 1958), and Cal Abrams (6, 1954).

For Boston, utility man Marwin Gonzalez (LF, 2B, 3B) and outfielder Alex Verdugo (CF, RF, LF) became the first players in franchise history to start each of the Red Sox’ first three games at three different defensive positions.

 

Baltimore Means Business vs Red Sox

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BOSTON – Baltimore Orioles ace pitcher John Means threw 7.0 innings of one-hit, scoreless baseball and the Orioles scored two runs in the 6th inning and one in the 8th to earn a 3-0 Opening Day victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The opener was delayed one day because of inclement weather on Thursday, April 1. It was the first time the Boston Red Sox were shut-out on their MLB Opening Day since 1976.

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Means retired 18 consecutive batters with the only blemish being a lead-off single by Boston’s Kiki Hernandez and the Orioles’ 3B Maikel Franco allowing Xander Bogaerts to get on board with a fielding error. Otherwise, it was all command, control and an effective change-ups by Means that baffled Boston batters all afternoon long.

Baltimore earned its victory when Ryan Montcastle doubled in two runs in the 6th inning and an Anthony Santander RBI single to score Cedric Mullins in the 8th inning.

Orioles closer Cesar Valdez relieved Tanner Scott and retired the Red Sox with only a DH J.D. Martinez double in the 9th.

Boston SP Nathan Eovaldi (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 SO) made his 2nd straight Opening Day start. He took the loss.

The teams will return to Fenway Park for 1:10pm EDT starts on both Saturday and Sunday.

 

 

Red Sox: It’s a Wash-Out

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BOSTON – The Red Sox-Orioles game scheduled for today, April 1, at Fenway Park was postponed. The forecast called for periods of rain throughout the day in the Fenway area.

“The decision to postpone our first game of the season was not made lightly,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “The built-in off day was created for just this purpose and tomorrow’s forecast for sunshine also factored into our decision. We have been eager to have fans back at Fenway Park for the first time in 18 months and look forward to welcoming everyone back tomorrow under brighter and drier conditions.”

Today’s Opening Day game and pregame ceremonies are rescheduled for tomorrow, Friday, April 2, at 2:10 p.m. Tickets for today’s game will be good for admission to the rescheduled contest. Fenway Park gates will open two hours before the game for all fans tomorrow (12:10 p.m.). Pregame ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 1:40 p.m.

Red Sox: Ready for Opening Day

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BOSTON – (Source: Official club news release) – The Boston Red Sox will present their Opening Day Ceremonies before the commencement of their 121st home season, and their 110th at Fenway Park, on Thursday, April 1, starting at approximately 1:40 p.m. Fans attending the game are asked to be in their seats by 1:30 p.m.

The Sox play the Baltimore Orioles at 2:10 p.m. Morning and afternoon showers are in the forecast.

Before the game, the two teams will be introduced along the base lines. With the giant American flag draped over the left field wall, Springfield native Michelle Brooks-Thompson will perform the national anthem.

The long-time tradition of a flyover on Opening Day will be maintained, but with three different aircrafts flying out of three New England states, a first for a Red Sox Opening Day ceremony. This year’s flyover will include an F-15 from Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts, an F-35 from Vermont’s Air National Guard (the Green Mountain Boys), and a Tanker plane from Pease Air National Guard Base in New Hampshire.

The singing of God Bless America in the middle of the 7th inning will be performed by the Boston Fire Department A Capella Quartet.

The Red Sox will welcome over 100 healthcare heroes to the ballpark for Opening Day. Through a partnership with Dell Technologies, 10,000 tickets will be distributed to healthcare workers throughout the 2021 season.

Red Sox Opening Day, including the ceremony, will be broadcast live on NESN beginning with their pregame show at 12:20 p.m. WEEI’s Opening Day broadcast begins at 1:10 p.m.

Fenway Park gates open two hours before the game for all fans on Opening Day (12:10 p.m.) and 1½ hours for all other regular season games.

Fans will be required to complete a health screening survey prior to entry on the day of the game, which can be found on the MLB Ballpark App. Fenway Park will be divided into five ‘neighborhood zones’, where ticket holders can access the designated gates for entry and exit nearest their seat location as labeled on their game ticket. To help reduce contact throughout the gameday experience, fans will be issued a digital ticket through MLB’s Ballpark App, and all ticket scanning will be contactless.

Fans attending games at Fenway Park can visit redsox.com/healthandsafety to review the full list of safety protocols in place at the ballpark for the start of the regular season, which currently include mandatory face coverings (except ages two and under), heightened sanitation procedures, reduced contact measures, and physical distancing. The site will be updated regularly with any changes to these protocols.

Demonstrating the organization’s commitment and adherence to high quality health and safety guidelines, Fenway Park is now a Well-Health Safety certified venue, a premier standard that validates and measures features that support and advance human health and wellness determined by the International WELL Building Institute. In addition to this new certification, the Red Sox have partnerships with three companies to help maintain Fenway Park’s high health and safety standards, including Lysol for disinfectant and cleaning supplies; Surfacide for UV-C technology UV technology that kills 99.99% of dangerous pathogens on hard surfaces; and Airocide for air purification that uses bioconversion technology developed by NASA to eliminate harmful, airborne particulates such as bacteria, mold and viruses.