What was supposed to be a double header is now not a double header again!
Well this turned into a fun one! The Red Sox had a very difficult time solving Cade Povich, but once the bullpen came in for the Orioles, it’s like the Sox had tennis rackets at the dish. A 13-runs scored 8th inning is the best all season by a country mile and a relief considering they scored 6 runs in the Mets series overall.
Yet every rose has its thorns, and two stick out. Brayan Bello is not pitching well. 87 pitches in 4.0 frames is not a good look at all. He didn’t give up many runs today, but it’s either been a game of walks or guys seeing his pitches well enough to fight for deep at-bats and work the pitch count enough. It’s barely succeeding at the MLB level and it’s concerning.
Alex Bregman also left this one with right quad tightness. Post-game comments make it seem like it’s not as bad as it looked, but the Red Sox can ill-afford to have him on the IL for any stint right now.
Still, an absolutely fun win on a cold rainy day in…late May? This wasn’t an early-April match?
Three Studs
Rafael Devers (4-for-6, 8 RBI)
This is David Ortiz-like of a DH stretch for Raffy, don’t stop!
Rob Refsnyder (3-for-5, 4 RBI)
The NESN broadcast put it perfectly after his dinger. It’s so impressive to see Rob not just succeed but mash with the limited chances he’s getting at the plate and to play.
Abraham Toro the hitter (2-for-3, 2 runs scored)
Coming in cold probably expecting to be in what was supposed to be the night cap of a doubleheader, Toro did a decent enough job!
Three Duds
Brayan Bello (4.0 IP, 2 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 7 K)
I feel like the Red Sox got absolutely saved by not having a night cap because Bello going short and taxing the bullpen once again is not a great look. It still feels like there’s no one behind Crochet to go deep into games.
Abraham Toro the pitcher (1.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB)
I laugh adding this one in because it saved the pen an inning, but it was just hysterical to watch. Not as bad as Emmanuel Rivera thankfully!
Kristian Campbell (0-for-4, 2 BB)
Definitely a cold day for Campbell, who may now have Marcelo Mayer breathing down his neck regardless of a Bregman potential injury or not.
Play of the Game
Everything’s coming up Big Scoops!