Bogie Goes Yard, Gets Three Hits, Knocks In Three In Sox 4-3 Win Over Halos

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'One game at a time'. That is the mantra of the 2019 Red Sox as they enter the final month of their World Series championship defense. With Sunday's 4-3 win over the Angels, Boston moved to within five games of the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Getting to the post-season will not be easy—but their 6-2 West Coast road trip has allowed them to pick up two full games in the race. Xander Bogaerts took the team on his shoulders yesterday—clouting a two-run HR, collecting three total hits and knocking in three. In any other season, the X-Man would be a serious MVP contender—now with 31 HRs and 103 RBIs. J.D. Martinez continued his blazing hot streak—also homering (his team-leading #33). He is now hitting .317 with 93 RBIs. This was almost a pure bullpen game for manager Alex Cora—with starter David Price working just two innings in his return to the rotation. Ryan Weber got the win, while Brandon Workman collected his 10th save. The Carmine Hose get Labor Day off—and come home for seven tough games again the Twinkies (3) and The Evil Ones (4).

Mookie GWHR Caps Marathon Red Sox Win In 15 Innings Over Halos, 7-6

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Last night/early morning Mookie Betts became the first player in MLB history to hit both a lead-off home run in the first inning and a game-winning home run in the 15th inning of the same game. That feat was a fitting capstone to a crazy, 7-6 win for Boston—that kept them 5.5 games out of the second AL Wild Card spot. J.D. Martinez stayed hot by driving in three runs—two on his team-leading 33rd home run of 2019. Nathan Eovaldi started the game and went four decent innings—giving up just one earned run on three hits while striking out eight Angels. While the bullpen was, overall, uneven (5 earned runs), Andrew Cashner pitched four spectacular innings of relief for the win. Darwinzon Hernandez also pitched two scoreless frames for The Carmine Hose.

Bogie And Raffy Lead The Way In 7-4 Win Over Rox, Sox 5 Out Of Wild Card

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On Wednesday night, Xander Bogaerts became the first Red Sox shortstop since Nomar Garciaparra to have a 30 HR, 100 RBI season. In reaching that milestone, Bogie went 3-4, with 3 RBIs—including two home runs. The X-Man's mentee, Rafael Devers, went 3-5, with an RBI and three runs scored—including a home run of his own. Starter Eduardo Rodriguez got his 16th win of the year—despite going just five innings in the eventual 7-4 win. Also contributing to the 12-hit Boston attack were J. D. Martinez (2-5, 2-R HR) and Christian Vazquez (2-4, RBI). The sweep of the Rockies finally resulted in the Red Sox making up some ground in the AL Wild Card race. Boston is now just five games back of the second Wild Card spot—with 28 games left to play. Boston is now 4-1 on this road trip and ten games over .500 (72-62).

BrockStar Homers In 9th, Red Sox Eke-Out 5-4 Win Over Hapless Friars

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After blowing a 4-0 lead, the Red Sox faced the possibility of losing to one of the worst teams in baseball—the lowly San Diego Padres. Then, Brock Holt came to the rescue. The BrockStar ambushed Padre closer All-Star Kirby Yates' first pitch—launching a down-and-in fastball over the Petco Park fence for a 5-4 Red Sox lead. That lead held up as Brandon Workman worked a scoreless (albeit cardiac) ninth in the eventual win—the 70th on the season for Boston. Nathan Eovaldi lasted just three innings in his second start back—giving up two earned runs. The Boston offense was keyed by Holt—along with Christian Vazquez (2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs, R), Mookie Betts (2-5, RBI) and Mitch Moreland (2-4, RBI). The win moved The Carmine Hose marginally closer to the second AL Wild Card spot (6.0 games out).

Seven & Seven: J.D. Drives In 7, ERod Hurls Strong 7, Sox Win Big, 11-0

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It was all "sevens" for the Red Sox on Friday night in San Diego. J.D. Martinez clouted two three-run HRs, driving in a total of seven runs and Eduardo Rodriguez tossed seven shutout innings in Boston's 11-0 rout of The Friars. ERod recorded his 15th win of the year (a career high), and Martinez and Rafael Devers each had three hits. Devers is now hitting .331 with 103 RBIs. Boston's 14-hit attack resulted in their sixth victory over San Diego in their last seven meetings. Despite the win, the Red Sox remain a distant 6.5 games out of the second AL Wild Card—with just 32 games left to play in the 2019 season.

Red Sox Legend Carl Yastrzemski Turns 80 Years Old Today

'The Man They Call Yaz' somehow turns 80 years old today. How can that be? We still see him leaping into the Bronx air to make "a sensational catch"—as Ken Coleman recounted. We still see him standing menacingly in the left-hand batters' box at Fenway, weapon waving above his head, coiled to deliver yet another clutch hit. Of course, 1967 is the year that defined Carl Yastrzemski for the ages—after all, he won the Triple Crown and (quite literally) willed the Red Sox to their first pennant in 21 years. But, the totality of his Hall of Fame career was even more amazing: 18-time All-Star, three batting titles, seven Gold Gloves and an MVP. Yaz clouted 452 HRs and hit .285 over 23 brilliant seasons. In his heyday, there was Yaz Bread and Yaz Ford—but Yaz himself was only concerned with playing his heart out every day for his beloved Boston Red Sox. Happy birthday, Yaz!

FN Contributor Ellen Adair Addressed BoSox Club Luncheon This Week

Ellen with FN's E-I-C  (Photo credit: Eric Gilde)

Acclaimed actress Ellen Adair (Homeland, Billions, The Sinner) was the featured guest at Tuesday's BoSox Club luncheon at the Dedham Hilton. Ellen—who has contributed multiple articles to FenwayNation—talked about her passionate love of baseball and her 'Complex Flow-Chart of Baseball Allegiances'. She recounted how her seven-year stay in Boston (including her time as a student at Boston University) allowed her to root for a team other than her beloved Phillies. You guessed it—the Red Sox. Ellen was here to see three World Series championship teams—2004, 2007 and 2013. In her talk she mentioned her first baseball player 'crush' as a young girl—former Phillies OF/1B Von Hayes. At the end of the luncheon, she was presented with a framed gift of Hayes baseball cards. You can catch Ellen's terrific performance on Year Two of USA Network's The Sinner—now on NETFLIX.

Raffy Devers Powers Red Sox Comeback From 6-0 Deficit, Beat O's 13-7

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If the Red Sox were having a better season than they are, Rafael Devers would be a leading candidate for American League MVP. As it is, the 22-year-old phenom will have to settle for "best player on the Red Sox" for now. Devers went 4-5 with 4 RBIs and his 27th home run in Boston's 13-7 comeback win over the hapless Orioles. He now leads MLB with 101 RBIs—the first to crash through the century mark in 2019. Boston fell into a 6-0 hole early on in this game—but these are the Baltimore Orioles they are playing. A six-run sixth-inning put The Carmine Hose on top to stay. After a horrible start by Nathan Eovaldi, the bullpen was solid—going seven innings and giving up just one run. Despite the sweep of The Birds, Boston remained 6.5 games out of the final American League Wild Card spot.

Red Sox Cobble Together A 'Victory By Committee', Defeat Tito's Tribe, 5-1

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With no true starter available (not exactly a big loss this year), Red Sox manager Alex Cora sent out a bevy of bullpen arms to take on the Indians on Wednesday afternoon. "Opener" Brian Johnson was just fine—going 2.2 innings and giving up just one un-earned run. He was followed by Marcus Walden, Darwinzon Hernandez, Josh Taylor, Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Cashner and Brandon Workman—who together delivered 6.1 scoreless innings (and just two hits). On the offensive side, wunderkind Rafael Devers extended his consecutive hit streak to eight—including his 25th home run of the year. Devers now leads the league in RBIs with 94. Also delivering was Xander Bogaerts—who homered twice (4 RBIs total)—including a three-run shot after Tito walked Devers ahead of the Red Sox shortstop. The win moves Boston to 7.5 games out of the second AL Wild Card. Amazingly, The Carmine Hose are one of only two teams in MLB with over 700 runs scored.

Both Sale And Devers Make MLB History, Sox Hold On For 7-6 Win Over Tribe

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Chris Sale didn't get the win on Tuesday night—but he did make MLB history. The lanky lefty became the fastest ever (in terms of innings) to reach 2,000 strikeouts. And, another Boston player made history as well. Rafael Devers became the first MLB player ever to get six hits in a game with four doubles. Boston blew a 6-1 lead and needed extras to put away Tito's Tribe, 7-6. In addition to Devers, multiple-hit games were turned in by: Mookie Betts (2-5, 2R, RBI); J.D. Martinez (2-4, R); Marco Hernandez (2-5, R, RBI) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2-4, 2R, RBI, HR). JBJ's solo home run in the 10th was the game-winner. The win moved Boston 8.5 games back of the second Wild Card spot—with time quickly running out.

Chris Sale Fires Brilliant 13-Strikeout, 2-Hit Gem, Red Sox Defeat Halos, 3-0

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He's back. The Red Sox ace, Chris Sale, made a few tweaks and absolutely shut down the Angels in a superb 13-strikeout, 2-hit performance last night at Fenway. The lanky lefty needed just 99 pitches over eight shutout innings to record his 6th victory of the year in the eventual 3-0 win. All the offense Sale needed came from two swings—a two-run shot by Sam Travis and and solo blast by Sandy Leon. All the rest was Sale—who amped up his fastball to the 97-98 range most of the night. Sale now has 200+ strikeouts for a seventh straight season. The win moved the Red Sox to within 5.5 games of the second Wild Card spot in the American League.

Alex Cora To Hold Red Sox Team Meeting Before Series With The Evil Ones

They have lost four straight. The rising tide of optimism that flooded Fenway Park last Sunday night has evaporated in the hot August air. The 2019 Carmine Hose have reverted to their season-long persona: under-achievers (especially the supposedly elite starting rotation). Manager Alex Cora announced that he will hold an unusual team meeting before Boston takes on The Bronx Embalmers tonight for a four-game set at The Concrete Bunker On 161st Street. The Red Sox are 10.5 games behind The Evil Ones and 3.5 out of the second American League Wild Card slot. This year's team is essentially the same roster that rampaged through the American League last season—and lost just three games in the post-season. The offense is still robust, but the starters have been a monumental disappointment—forcing a mediocre bullpen (without a closer) to take on a heavy innings load. This is not a prescription for success. Cora had better deliver his best Knute Rockne oration if this squad has any chance at all to repeat as World Champions.

POLL: Almost Seven In Ten Would Have Supported Deal For Closer Diaz

Although the specific deal is now unlikely, almost seven in ten readers would have supported the Red Sox sending third-base prospect Bobby Dalbec to the Mets for closer Edwin Diaz. With the Trade Deadline just hours away, reports have suggested that Boston was more likely to target San Diego closer Kirby Yates. As the chart shows, just under one-third would have opposed the Diaz deal. Stay tuned for updates on any moves made by The Carmine Hose.

FenwayNation POLL: Should Red Sox Trade Bobby Dalbec For Edwin Diaz?

Should the Red Sox trade prospect Bobby Dalbec for Mets closer Edwin Diaz?

Yes

No

 

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MookiePalooza: MVP Goes Yard Thrice, Red Sox Double-Up Empire, 10-5

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Mookie Betts had a down June, but he's more than making up for it in July. The 2018 American League MVP homered three times in last night's 10-5 victory over The Bronx Embalmers at Fenway Park. Betts went 4-5 on the night—adding a double and knocking in five runs, while scoring four. Boston pounded out 14 hits on their way to the 10-5 win. Newcomer Andrew Cashner pitched well—going 6.2 innings and giving up just three earned runs, while striking out six. Also in on the onslaught were: Rafael Devers (3-5) and J.D. Martinez (2-4, HR, 3 RBIs). The win moved the Red Sox to within 9 games of The Evil Ones in the American League East. Boston is also now just 0.5 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

Red Sox Lay Biggest Whooping On Evil Ones In 117 Years—Win 19-3

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The Red Sox made a critical statement on Thursday night: if they meet The Bronx Embalmers in the post-season, they can most assuredly beat them. In the biggest Boston defeat of the Yankees in their 117-year rivalry, The Carmine Hose walloped out 23 hits—including 10 doubles—in a 19-3 evisceration of The Evil Ones. Eight Boston players had at least two RBIs—tying an MLB record. Rick Porcello—staked to a 7-0 lead—was shaky early, but settled down to give up just three runs over six innings. The offense was pretty much spread across the Red Sox lineup, but Xander Bogaerts stood out—with two home runs, four hits total, four runs scored and and four RBIs. Besides Bogie, the other players with at least two RBIs were: Mookie Betts (2), Sandy Leon (2), Rafael Devers (2), Michael Chavis (2), Mitch Moreland (2), Christian Vazquez (2) and Jackie Bradley, Jr. (2). Boston's win moved them to 10 games back in the AL East and just one game out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

POLL: More Than Six InTen View Rafael Devers As Boston's 2019 MVP

Results to our latest FenwayNation Poll indicate that most readers think 22-year-old Rafael Devers is this season's Red Sox MVP. As the chart shows, fully 63% think the player known as "Carita" (Baby Face) is the 2019 MVP, while just over one-third (35%) believe that shortstop Xander Bogaerts is Boston's MVP this year. Both players are extremely close statistically. Devers is hitting .321, with 20 HRs and 77 RBIs. Bogie is hitting .313, with 21 HRs and 76 RBIs (and a .400 OBP). You can still vote in the poll HERE.

E-Rod Shines Again, J.D. And Devers Lead Offensive Charge, Sox Win, 9-4

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In the first of 14 straight games against the Rays and Evil Ones, the Red Sox started off on the right foot Monday night. Behind another solid start by Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston found their hitting shoes again in a 9-4 triumph over the Rays. E-Rod went seven shutout innings for his 12th win of the season—giving up just two hits and striking out six. Let's face it folks, he is now our ace. Home runs were launched by J.D. Martinez (#20, 3-run shot, 4 RBIs overall), Sam Travis (#2, solo) and Andrew Benintendi (#8, solo). Rafael Devers continued his magical season by doubling in two runs—he now has 77 RBIs. The bullpen faltered again—with Nathan Eovaldi coughing up three earned runs in a rusty return from surgery. The win moved Boston to within 10 games of The Bronx Embalmers and just one game back of the Rays. And, The Carmine Hose are now just two games out of the second American League Wild Card spot.

FenwayNation POLL: Which Player Has Been The Red Sox MVP In 2019?

Which player has the been the Red Sox MVP so far in this abysmal 2019 season?

Xander Bogaerts

Rafael Devers

OTHER (specify in comments section)

 

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Red Sox Are One-Hit By No-Name Journeyman Pitcher, Fall to Orioles, 5-0

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As bad as Friday night's loss to the Orioles was, this one might be worse. On the heels of scoring 17 runs against Baltimore on Saturday, the Red Sox were one-hit by a 30-year-old pitcher who is with his eighth MLB club. A ringing Rafael Devers double was the only base knock logged by The Carmine Hose—as this puzzling team continues its see-saw season. They have been just bad enough to be hard to watch—and just good enough to hang on to a glimmer of post-season hope. Former Oriole Andrew Cashner was again just pedestrian in his second Boston start—giving up four earned runs over six innings in the eventual 5-0 loss (including two home runs to his Bird best buddy Trey Mancini). This stinging loss keeps Boston 11 games back of The Bronx Embalmers, two back of Tampa and three out of the final AL Wild Card Spot. Terrible game, no biscuit!