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Turner Breaks Tie and Yanks

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NEW YORK – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Justin Turner hit a tiebreaking double in the ninth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat the host New York Yankees 6-5 on Sunday afternoon to send their longtime rival to an eighth straight loss for the first time since 1995.

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Boston got its seventh straight win over the Yankees when Turner hit an 0-1 sinker from Clay Holmes (4-4) to the warning track in right field to easily score Pablo Reyes, who hit a leadoff single.

Before Turner’s hit, the Yankees appeared to take the lead in the eighth when Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored from first on rookie Anthony Volpe’s single.

The Red Sox challenged the play for obstruction and Kiner-Falefa’s run was overturned. The Yankees then were unsuccessful in challenging that catcher Connor Wong blocked the plate.

The Yankees are on their first eight-game skid since Aug. 19-26, 1995, when they went from 53-50 to 53-58 before finishing 26-7 to get the first wild-card spot.

Boston reliever Chris Martin (4-1) got the win and Kenley Jansen struck out two and stranded two in the ninth for his 29th save.

Turner drove in four runs and gave the Red Sox a 5-2 lead in the seventh with a three-run homer off Michael King one pitch after slugger Rafael Devers was intentionally walked.

Devers homered and had hits in his first three at-bats. He also scored Boston’s second run on a throwing error by shortstop Volpe in the sixth.

Kyle Higashioka and Gleyber Torres hit tying homers in the third and sixth off bulk reliever Nick Pivetta. Volpe hit a tying three-run homer off John Schreiber in the seventh before pinch hitter Giancarlo Stanton faced left-hander Brennan Bernardino and flew out with two on to end the inning.

Six days after allowing eight runs in Atlanta, New York starter Clarke Schmidt allowed two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

After opener Josh Winckowski pitched the first, Pivetta allowed two runs and three hits in five innings.

–Field Level Media

Batting Practice in the Bronx

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NEW YORK – Boston rookie OF Masataka Yoshida hit a three-run homer four batters in, starting pitcher Brayan Bello tossed six effective innings and the Boston Red Sox recorded an 8-3 victory over the slumping, last place New York Yankees on Friday night in the Bronx.

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The Red Sox beat the Yankees for the sixth time in seven meetings this season and won their fifth straight over New York.

Justin Turner hit singles in each of his first three at-bats and produced a pair of RBI singles. Rafael Devers also had two RBIs, one of which was an RBI single to start Boston’s three-run second that followed a fielding error by New York second baseman Gleyber Torres.

NY slugger Aaron Judge hit a two-run homer in the eighth as the Yankees lost their sixth straight. It is their longest slide since dropping seven straight Sept 4-10, 2021.

The Red Sox took a 4-0 lead 19 pitches in against rookie Jhony Brito (4-6) when Yoshida hit a changeup into the right-center field seats.

Boston opened with four straight hits and Turner preceded Yoshida’s 13th homer with an RBI base hit after Verdugo and Rafael Devers poked hits. Yoshida homered after the Yankees were charged with consecutive mound visits to go over signs after Brito encountered trouble because the PitchCom device was not working for both teams.

Yoshida capped the second with a base hit to make it 7-0 and Devers contributed another RBI single in the ninth.

Bello (9-7) allowed one run and six hits to win for the third time in four starts. He struck out four, walked one and beat the Yankees for the second time this season.

After Garrett Whitlock allowed Judge’s 23rd homer, he ended the eighth by striking out Giancarlo Stanton. Brennan Bernardino allowed two hits in the ninth before Chris Martin finished it.

The Yankees avoided being shutout in three straight games when Anthony Volpe doubled and scored on DJ LeMahieu’s groundout in the third.

Brito allowed seven runs (six earned) and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox Face Struggling NY Yankees

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BRONX – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – The New York Yankees are looking forward to returning home even if the fans’ reaction might turn hostile.

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The Boston Red Sox are in contention for a wild-card spot and can bolster their postseason hopes while burying their rival even further. (Betting Odds)

Under .500 this late in the season for the first time since 1995, the Yankees host the Red Sox in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night.

New York returns home for the first time since splitting a four-game series with the Houston Astros on Aug. 6. The Yankees went 2-7 on a road trip against the Chicago White Sox, Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves and are 6 1/2 games behind Toronto for the final American League wild-card spot.

Rob Refsnyder walked and Devers followed with his 27th homer of the season, a shot into the second deck in right center that pulled the Red Sox within 9-7.

Garrett’s RBI single in the eighth made it 10-7.

Casas gave the Red Sox a 1-0 lead when he homered leading off the third.

The Nationals quickly tied it in the bottom of the third. Jeter Downs walked, stole second and went to third on a throwing error by catcher Wong. Downs scored when third baseman Devers misplayed a Meneses grounder.

Red Sox Drop Another to Nationals

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WASH DC – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Washington’s first baseman Joey Meneses had two hits and drove in five runs, SP Patrick Corbin pitched six strong innings and the host Nationals held on to beat the Boston Red Sox 10-7 in the rubber game of their series on Thursday.

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Keibert Ruiz had three hits and Stone Garrett had two hits and three RBIs for the Nationals, who are 5-1 on their homestand and have won 10 of 14.

Corbin (8-11) allowed one run on four hits. He struck out six without a walk.

Boston put runners on second and third with no outs against Kyle Finnegan in the ninth, but Finnegan retired the next three batters without allowing a run for his 19th save.

Luis Urias hit a grand slam for Boston, Rafael Devers hit a two-run homer and Triston Casas smacked a solo shot.

Chris Sale (5-3) allowed three runs — two earned — in 4 1/3 innings.

Boston trailed 9-1 entering the seventh. Adam Duvall led off with a single against reliever Robert Garcia. With one out, Pablo Reyes singled and Casas walked. After Connor Wong struck out, Urias hit a grand slam to center.

Red Sox Take Nationals, 5-4

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WASH DC – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Boston’s Alex Verdugo opened the game with a homer, Triston Casas had two hits and two RBIs and the Red Sox defeated the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night.

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Pablo Reyes added two hits for Boston, which has won five of six.

Four Boston relievers tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings to end the game. John Schreiber (2-1) pitched one inning for the win, and Kenley Jansen worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 28th save.

Keibert Ruiz and Stone Garrett had two-run doubles for Washington, which had won three straight.

Washington starter Josiah Gray (7-10) was charged with five runs on five hits over three-plus innings, his shortest start of the season. Gray has allowed 14 runs in 11 1/3 innings over his past three starts as his ERA has climbed from 3.27 to 3.96.

Verdugo gave the Red Sox and early 1-0 lead when he led off the game with his ninth homer of the season, a shot to right-center.

Boston’s Reese McGuire opened the third inning with a single and stole second. With two outs, Rafael Devers and Trevor Story walked to load the bases. Casas then lined a 3-2 Gray pitch to right, driving in two runs.

Washington rallied in its half of the third. Blake Rutherford led off with a single, and Lane Thomas and Joey Meneses drew one-out walks. Ruiz followed with double into the corner in right, scoring Rutherford and Thomas. After Dominic Smith struck out, Garrett doubled to right, knocking in Meneses and Ruiz scored to give the Nationals a 4-3 lead.

Gray couldn’t hold the edge, Jarren Duran singled and Reyes doubled to open the fourth, prompting the Nationals to bring in reliever Robert Garcia. McGuire reached on catcher’s interference to load the bases.

When Verdugo flied to deep center, Duran scored and Reyes raced to third, but McGuire was thrown out at second. Reyes scored on a wild pitch to give the Red Sox a 5-4 edge.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta was lifted after 4 1/3 innings, having given up four runs on five hits and three walks. He struck out seven.

–Field Level Media

Patriots to Sign Ezekiel Elliott

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FOXBORO – (Staff and Wire Service Report) -The New England Patriots are in agreement with free agent running back Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal, with NFL Network reporting the contract is worth up to $6 million.

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The two-time NFL rushing champion visited with the Patriots late last month and provides important depth behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson. Elliott referenced the Patriots in a Twitter post Monday.

Elliott, 28, was released by the Dallas Cowboys in a salary-cutting move in March.

The Ohio State product was slowed in the second half of last season by a knee injury and wasn’t fully healthy in 2021. He rushed for a career-low 876 yards and 3.9 yards per carry in 2022 while backup Tony Pollard emerged as a 1,000-yard rusher and big-play threat.

Elliott led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018 and posted four 1,000-yard seasons with Dallas. The 2016 first-round pick (fourth overall) ranks third in Cowboys history in rushing yards (8,262) and rushing touchdowns (68) behind Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett. He also has 305 catches for 2,336 yards and 12 scores in 103 games (102 starts).

The Patriots released running back James Robinson in June, and Ty Montgomery is nursing an undisclosed injury. Second-year running backs Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris are also on the depth chart.

–Field Level Media

Krejci Retires from NHL, Bruins

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BOSTON – Boston Bruins veteran forward David Krejci took it upon himself to make the formal announcement.

“After 15 full NHL seasons I have decided to retire from the best league in the world,” he wrote and posted to social media accounts the world over.

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“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cam Neely and Don Sweeney for allowing me to take my time with my decision and announcement.

I also want to thank the Jacobs family and the entire Bruins organization for believing in me over and over again and giving me the opportunity to be part of this amazing family for so many years,” Krejci concluded.

Gone, now, from the Bruins’ 2011 Stanley Cup champion team are goalkeepers Tim Thomas and Tuukka Rask, defenseman and captain Zeno Chara, and legendary forward Patrice Bergeron – all sure-shot Hall of Famers.

Back into the Black and Gold is Milan Lucic, but he’ll be the lonely torch bearer.

 

 

 

Sox Go Deep for “W”

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BOSTON – (Staff and Write Service Report) – Boston’s Adam Duvall homered and drove in four runs and Trevor Story had four hits to lead the Red Sox to a 6-3 victory over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Sunday afternoon.

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Sox DH Justin Turner, who was playing in his 1,500th major league game, also went deep for the Red Sox. It was his 19th home run of the season and his second in as many games.

Duvall and Turner each had two of Boston’s 12 hits.

Akil Baddoo launched a solo home run in the fifth inning for the Tigers, who lost twice in the three-game series.

Garrett Whitlock, who was activated from the injured list Sunday, earned the win after pitching two innings of relief. Whitlock (5-3) allowed one (unearned) run and struck out three without surrendering a hit.

Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth to collect his 27th save.

Detroit’s Eduardo Rodriguez (8-6) took the loss after he allowed six runs on 10 hits in five innings. He struck out eight and walked one.

Miguel Cabrera’s groundout drove in Spencer Torkelson from third base to stake Detroit to a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Torkelson reached base when he was hit by a pitch.

Boston pulled even in its half of the second after Triston Casas drew a two-out walk and scored on Connor Wong’s triple.

The Red Sox took a 2-1 lead on Turner’s homer in the third. They stretched the advantage to 3-1 later in that inning after Story reached on an infield single, stole second and third and scored on Duvall’s single.

Baddoo’s homer sliced Boston’s lead to 3-2 in the fifth before Duvall went deep with a three-run shot in the bottom of the fifth

Detroit got a run back when Matt Vierling scored on Torkelson’s groundout in the sixth inning.

–Field Level Media

Red Sox to Face E-Rod and Tigers

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Preview) – Detroit left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez is scheduled to pitch against his former team on Sunday when the visiting Tigers wrap up a three-game series against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Rodriguez, 30, made his major league debut with the Red Sox in 2015. He had a 64-39 record in 159 appearances (153 starts) over six seasons with Boston.

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Rodriguez (8-5, 2.75 ERA) signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Tigers after the 2021 season but said he recalls his time with the Red Sox fondly.

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“I have a lot of good memories here, and it feels good to be back here,” Rodriguez said before Boston opened the series with a 5-2 victory on Friday night.

Rodriguez didn’t pitch in June because of an injury to his left index finger, but he tossed seven scoreless innings on Tuesday to help Detroit beat Minnesota 6-0. Earlier this month, he invoked the no-trade clause in his contract to keep him from being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Rodriguez has made 17 starts for the Tigers this season. Opposing batters are hitting .218 with a .594 on-base-plus-slugging percentage against him. He’s 4-1 with a 3.63 ERA in his last seven starts.

Sunday will mark Rodriguez’s second career start against Boston. He allowed seven runs — just two earned — in 3 2/3 innings versus the Red Sox on April 13, 2022.

Kutter Crawford (5-6, 3.80) will pitch for Boston. Crawford took the loss when Kansas City beat the Red Sox 9-3 on Tuesday. He gave up three runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. He is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Detroit. He has allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Tigers.

Detroit hit four solo home runs atop the Green Monster in Saturday’s 6-2 triumph over Boston. Kerry Carpenter hit two of them and has three in the series.

“Any time I’m going well, I’m using the opposite field,” the lefty-hitting Carpenter said. “In this ballpark (Fenway Park), it’s easier to hit them out to left here. Anything they throw hard I want to hit that way.”

The Red Sox were 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Saturday and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end.

Garrett Whitlock is expected to return from the injured list on Sunday and be available out of the Red Sox bullpen. The right-hander pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in a rehab assignment for Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday.

Whitlock has been on the injured list since July 4 because of an elbow bone bruise. Whitlock has made 10 appearances, all starts, for the Red Sox this season, but Boston manager Alex Cora said earlier this week that Whitlock is returning as a reliever.

“He wanted to come back as soon as possible,” Cora said. “This is the best way. We’ll stretch him out. He’s gonna go two, three innings. It was more about his willingness to get ready and help us as soon as possible.”

Cora said there is a good chance third baseman Rafael Devers will have Sunday off. The lefty-hitting Devers leads the Red Sox with 26 home runs but will not play because Cora envisions loading his lineup with right-handed batters against Rodriguez.

“Have a good day (Sunday), win the series and move on,” Cora said.

–Field Level Media

Carpenter Nails Red Sox

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BOSTON – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter hit two solo home runs to help propel the visiting Tigers to a 6-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

The Tigers clubbed four homers for the game.

Carpenter opened the scoring by belting a solo home run against Red Sox starter Brayan Bello to lead off the second inning. He followed with his 15th home run of the season in the eighth against Kyle Barraclough. Carpenter also homered on Friday night.

Eric Haase and Spencer Torkelson also hit solo home runs for the Tigers.

Haase stretched Detroit’s lead to 3-1 when he homered to left-center in the fifth. It was his fourth home run of the season and also came against Bello, who was pulled with two outs in the fifth.

Torkelson’s home run, his 18th, came in the sixth against Brennan Bernardino and extended Detroit’s lead to 5-1. Torkelson finished 4-for-4.Justin Turner hit his 18th home run, a solo shot in the eighth inning, for the Red Sox.

Matt Manning (4-4) pitched 5 1/3 innings to earn the win. He surrendered a run on two hits. Jason Foley tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to secure his fifth save.

Bello (8-7) allowed four runs on nine hits, struck out five and didn’t walk a batter.

After Carpenter’s home run handed the Tigers a 1-0 lead, Detroit added to that lead in the third. Nick Maton singled, took second on Akil Baddoo’s single and made it a 2-0 game when he scored on Riley Greene’s single.

Boston cut its deficit in half in the fourth when Turner scored on an error by Maton at third base, but Detroit added two runs in the top of the fifth. After Haase homered, Baddoo made it 4-1 by scoring from third on a fielder’s choice.

Torkelson’s home run gave the Tigers a four-run lead, and Carpenter’s second home run of the game put The Tigers up 6-1. Turner’s homer capped the scoring.

–Field Level Media