Digital Sports Desk

Online Destination for the Best in Boston Sports

Red Sox

Sox Party’s Over After Nine Straight

by

MINNEAPOLIS — Max Kepler delivered the game-winning hit for the Minnesota Twins on the last game of a difficult homestead for the Twins to end a nine-game winning stint for the visiting Boston Red Sox. Kepler’s bloop RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Minnesota a 4-3 victory Thursday over Boston. The hit ended a five-game losing streak for the Twins and a nine-game win streak for the Red Sox.

YouTube player

The Twins avoided matching their longest losing streak in three years under Baldelli, a six-game slide from July 31-Aug. 5, 2020. The Red Sox, who tied it in the eighth on Alex Verdugo’s three-run double, were on their longest winning streak since a 10-game run in 2018, the season they won the World Series.

Alex Colomé (1-1) pitched a scoreless ninth for the victory, despite a one-out double by Christian Arroyo. Verdugo capped a 10-pitch at-bat against reliever Taylor Rogers with his two-out double in the eighth that tied the game at 3-3. Five times during their winning streak, the Red Sox rallied from a deficit in the fifth inning or later.

The Red Sox return to Boston to host the Chicago White Sox in a four-game series starting tonighty. Right-hander Nick Pivetta (2-0, 3.27 ERA) will take the mound for the series opener.

Red Sox – “Let’s Take Two”

by

MINNEAPOLIS  – Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo cracked three hits, including a two-run single in a six-run fifth inning, and Boston extended its win streak to nine games, defeating the Minnesota Twins, 7-1. The win completed a sweep of Wednesday’s doubleheader.

YouTube player

Verdugo was acquired as part of the trade that sent superstar Mookie Betts to the LA Dodgers.

Boston’s ace Eduardo Rodríguez (2-0) returned to the form of his 2018-19 seasons, pitching five innings and allowing one run on five hits.

Boston has come from behind in six of its nine wins this season. The Red Sox have their longest winning streak since a 10-game stint in 2018.

Verdugo had five hits in the doubleheader and capped the day with his second homer of the season in the seventh inning.

In the first game of the twin-bill, Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi pitched five innings and the Sox extended their win streak to eight games with a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins. Boston’s 2B Christian Arroyo, OF Alex Verdugo and SS Xander Bogaerts had two hits apiece, now enjoying its longest win streak since the World Series Championship season of 2018.

The Red Sox are the first team since the 1991 Seattle Mariners to lose at least three games to start the season and follow by winning at least seven straight, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Eovaldi (2-1) gave up two runs on five hits. He has allowed four runs over 17 1/3 innings in three starts this season. Matt Barnes recorded his second save of the season and is now re-established as the Red Sox closer..

Kenta Maeda (1-1) pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up three runs — one earned — on seven hits and two walks. He struck out five. The Twins have lost four straight.

Pro Teams Postpone Games in Minnesota

by

MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL – Monday’s 2:10pm series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins was postponed as a cautionary move by the Twins and local authorities as the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul reacts to the fatal shooting death of Daunte Wright after a police traffic stop in the Brooklyn Center area.

Embed from Getty Images

“Out of respect for the tragic events that occurred yesterday in Brooklyn Center, and following the additional details in this evolving situation, the Minnesota Twins have decided it is in the best interests of our fans, staff, players and community to not play today’s game.

The decision was made by the Minnesota Twins after consultation with Major League Baseball, and local and state officials. Information regarding the rescheduling of today’s game, and corresponding ticket details, will be released in the near future.

The Minnesota Twins organization extends its sympathies to the family of Daunte Wright.”

The NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and the NHL’s Minnesota Wild also postponed home games because of a 7:00pm (local) city-wide curfew put in place as authorities brace for another display of civic protests. The Minneapolis area was at the heart of intense protests last Memorial Day weekend after the fatal shooting of George Floyd. A dismissed Minneapolis police officer is currently on trial for that incident which was the root of nation-wide protests last May.

The NBA issued the following statement in announcing the cancellation of the Brooklyn Nets at Timberwolves game:

“The National Basketball Association announced that in light of the tragic events in the Minneapolis area yesterday, tonight’s game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center has been postponed. The decision to postpone was made by the NBA after consultation with the Timberwolves organization and local and state officials.

“Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Daunte Wright during this difficult time.”

Brooklyn Center police held a news conference and stated the officer that shot Wright Sunday afternoon did so accidentally, confusing a fire arm with a police taser.

 

Red Sox: Five in a Row and Here They Go

by

By TERRY LYONS

BALTIMORE – In 2018, the Red Sox lost their opening day game and nearly all of Boston hit the panic button. Fast-forward past 2019-20 and the Sox lost their first three games of this young 2021 season and all of the New England skies were falling. Now, five games later, the Red Sox are riding a five-game winning streak and fans are checking their 2018 schedule results for comparisons to a team that went 108-54.

Embed from Getty Images

Taking it to that extreme so early in the 2021 season is certainly nonsensical, but for the shear fun of it, the 2021 Sox will need to win another four straight to mirror the nine-game win streak manager Alex Cora enjoyed to start the title season after the disappointing opener.

To earn the fifth straight victory, it took 10 innings and a Rafael Devers home run in the 6th inning, a game tying series of singles and grounding into fielder’s choices in the top of the 9th, and Michael Chavis scoring a run in the top of the 10th inning on a wild pitch to seal the win. An RBI single by Christian Vázquez added an insurance run and extended Boston’s winning streak to five games with a 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Saturday night, April 10.

“It’s a good vibe,” Cora said. “A lot of people don’t feel like we have any superstars. This is a good baseball team. They did everything right toward the end of the game.”

For Baltimore ,outfielder Trey Mancini hit his first home run since his return from cancer surgery that caused him to miss the 2020 season. It was Mancini’s first homer since Sept. 28, 2019.

 

Sox J.D. Martinez to COVID Injured List

by

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.

Embed from Getty Images

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,

MLB: Red Sox Continue to Roll

by

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.

Embed from Getty Images

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.

 

 

MLB: Red Sox in the Win Column

by

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.

Embed from Getty Images

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

by

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.

Embed from Getty Images

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

by

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.

Embed from Getty Images

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 Opening Day: “Take Two”

by

BOSTON – After a rain-out on April Fools Day, the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles will try it again today with clear skies but brisk 39-degree temperatures at 2:10pm EDT at Fenway Park. Boston begins its 121st American League season and the Red Sox are 59-60-1 all-time on Opening Day (excluding G2 of doubleheaders in 1903, 1948, and 1982). This is the 44th time that the Red Sox have opened the regular season at home (25-18), including the 41st at Fenway Park (22-18).

The Sox have won each of their last four Opening Day games at Fenway Park (2009, ’10, ’17, ’20).

Boston’s Opening Day roster features 14 players born in the United States, three from the Dominican Republic, three from Venezuela, two from Puerto Rico, one from Aruba, one born in Canada, one in China, and one in Japan.

The oldest player on the Sox roster for Opening Day roster is Adam Ottavino (35) while the youngest is 24-year-old Darwinzon Hernandez. Other Boston 24-year olds are: Alex Verdugo, Garrett Whitlock, Tanner Houck, and Rafael Devers.

As planned for yesterday, 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.