Red Sox - 100 003 100 - 5 7 0 Reds - 000 000 000 - 0 3 2Boston rolled to its 90th victory of the season behind the sharp pitching of Eduardo Rodriguez (7.2-3-0-2-6, 112) and a three-run homer from Mitch Moreland. In their last 16 games, the Red Sox are 13-3.
As they did in Friday's game, the Red Sox scored in the opening frame. Xander Bogaerts doubled, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on Brock Holt's sac fly to center. And this time, the Reds came up empty in the bottom half, with Rodriguez setting them down on nine pitches. The Reds did not get their first hit until Joey Votto singled in the fourth - and he was thrown out at second on the play trying for a double.
In the sixth, after Holt reached on an error and Andrew Benintendi walked, Moreland hit his 20th home run to center field. With two outs in the seventh, Amir Garrett walked both Bogaerts and Holt. Benintendi singled to left, scoring Bogaerts. Holt was thrown out at third.
Rodriguez departed with two outs in the eighth and a man on first. Carson Smith struck out Jesse Winker, his only batter. The Reds did not hit a fair ball against any of Joe Kelly's 28 pitches in the ninth. He struck out Phillip Ervin, then walked Zack Cozart and Votto. He closed out the game by striking out Eugenio Suarez and Scooter Gennett.
Mookie Betts was scratched from the original lineup because of a left foot contusion. He fouled a ball off his foot on Friday.
MFY Watch: The Yankees beat the Blue Jays 5-1 and clinched a wild-card spot. They remain 4 GB and the Red Sox's Magic Number to clinch the AL East is now 5.
Bogaerts, SSMFY Watch: The Yankees are 4 GB and the Red Sox's Magic Number to clinch the AL East is 6. ... MFY/TOR (4 PM).
Benintendi, LFHolt, 2B
Betts, RFBenintendi, LF
Moreland, 1B
Vazquez, C
Devers, 3B
Holt, 2BYoung, RF
Bradley, CF
Rodriguez, P
Scott Lauber (ESPN):
ReplyDelete"Mookie Betts scratched from Red Sox lineup with bruised left foot. He's available to pinch hit but remains sore. Sox hopeful he can start Sunday. Chris Young will take Betts' place in right field."
"Dustin Pedroia is getting treatment on his knee after feeling some increased soreness Friday night. Red Sox will deviate from original plan and give him today off with the hope that he can return Sunday."
Pretty funny watching the MFY stripers pouring champagne all over themselves for earning a ticket into a 1 game playoff....
ReplyDeleteHow far they have fallen.
Sawx will hopefully wait till they win a Div flag.
Interesting. Years ago, Michael Kay RIPPED into the Red Sox for celebrating winning the wild card. He tore them up, down, and sideways for such a bush league move. Celebrating the wild card???? Are you serious?? And now the team he covers is celebrating - not the actual wild card - but a chance to be the wild card. I'm sure he'll be just as brutal with his coverage this time around.
ReplyDeleteNY Times: "Champagne and beer overflowed in the Yankees' clubhouse, and soaked players chanted and danced on a puddle-strewn carpet in the first of what they hope will be several such celebrations."
ReplyDeleteJeez. Act like you've been there before...