Twins - 000 010 100 - 2 2 1 Red Sox - 000 100 000 - 1 3 1The Twins scored both of their runs after a Red Sox pitcher had walked the bases loaded. And the night ended with Rafael Devers being gunned down at the plate, trying to score the tying run.
After Mookie Betts's 26th home run of the season had given Boston a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth (it was also the Red Sox's first baserunner of the game), Nathan Eovaldi (5-1-1-4-3, 76) walked the first three batters in the top of the fifth. C.J. Cron grounded into a double play, but the tying run scored.
Andrew Cashner got the first out in the top of the seventh, but he issued three walks (though he squeezed in a strikeout between BB#2 and BB#3). Matt Barnes came in and faced pinch-hitter Willians Astudillo, who singled to right, giving Minnesota a 2-1 lead.
The Red Sox handed out walks like candy on Halloween - nine bases on balls, tying a season high for a nine-inning game.
In the bottom of the sixth, Betts doubled with two outs and Xander Bogaerts walked. An error by Pérez on a pickoff attempt at second put the runners at second and third, but Rafael Devers grounded out to first.
The Red Sox went in order in the seventh and eighth and Betts popped to first for the first out in the ninth. Bogaerts singled and, after Taylor Rogers came in from the pen, Devers forced X at second. J.D. Martinez doubled off the Wall (about halfway up), but Devers (not a speedy man, despite his youth) was easily thrown out at the plate (7-2) to end the game.
AL Wild Card: TBR/OAK –, CLE 1.0, BOS 6.5.
Betts, RFPeter Abraham of the Globe writes that David Price "is having issues with his wrist" and will not pitch in the upcoming Yankees series. The Red Sox likely will have two bullpen games, followed by Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez. Also, Michael Chavis has re-aggravated his oblique strain and it "seems unlikely he plays again this season".
Bogaerts, SS
Devers, 3B
Martinez, DH
Vázquez, C
Benintendi, LF
Travis, 1B
G. Hernández, CF
Holt, 2B
Darwinzon Hernández, 22 years old, made his debut on April 23, throwing 2.1 shutout innings against the Tigers. In 24 games this season, Hernandez has a 2.93 ERA. Although he walks far too many batters (7.2 per 9 innings), his K/9 rate is 17.2.
Since August 11, Hernandez has struck out 21 batters in 11.1 innings. He's allowed seven hits, seven walks, and one run (0.79 ERA). In his last eight games, 18 of his 25 outs have been by strikeout; in his last four games, it's 11 of 13 outs!
Alex Cora:
I like this guy. I like what he's doing right now. Obviously we'll talk about it in the offseason but right now, he's one of the high-leverage relievers on our team. He's a guy who can get lefties and righties out. He has a good mix and he's actually enjoying it.AL Wild Card: TBR/OAK –, CLE 0.5, BOS 5.5.
This game was a perfect summary of the entire season.
ReplyDeleteFrustrating pitching & cold bats, but still close enough to allow for hopeful optimism. And then—just as you start to get excited that they’re back in it—it’s over and they aren’t.
But the fact that they maybe kinda sorta coulda shoulda won if any one little thing went differently means you’ll be back for more again tomorrow, just in case...