Well, I guess I’ll eat crow for doubting this game, at least.
Few highlights in this one:
This team went 3-for-6 with RISP and only left two men on base with 10 hits! How about that!
Ceddanne Rafaela is on one, I really wonder if his bat is finally catching up to his defensive abilities, because this doesn’t feel like a mere streak. To kick off the seven inning, four run rally, he lined a double off of Luis Castillo, advanced on a sac fly and then made a beautiful read on Cal Raleigh getting crossed
up by Castillo to scamper home. In the grand scheme of things, it was one of six runs scored but when it’s a 1-0 game and you come home like that, it can feel like a backbreaker to the opppsition.
I think all four Red Sox challenges were successful tonight: three ball/strike asks by Narváez, and a ball/strike ask from Marcelo which was overturned by 0.2 inches, leading to more Red Sox runs. Don’t ask me if the Red Sox have been more successful since they really started practicing challenging better—maybe worth a deep dive soon.
The four game losing streak is OVAH! Huzzah! With the World Cup providing so much entertainment the last week, it’s good to see the Red Sox bring the punch too. Only sad the Scots couldn’t see a win at Fenway in person, but I’ll take this one tonight.
Studs
Ranger Suárez (6.2 IP, 1 H, 3 BB, 5 K, 0 ER)
One of these days, Ranger Suárez is going to do more than the incredible. What a piece of work this game was for Ranger; multiple frames 10 pitches and under, he was just mowing batters down left, right, and center. He started to overthrow a little bit late but for the most part, his fastball, curveball, changeup and slider were all beyond on point.
Caleb Durbin (3-f0r-4, 1 HR)
…where did this Caleb Durbin come from and how do we keep him? He’s getting his hands through the zone better and it’s leading to much more solid contact. He was only a triple away from the cycle! Four homers in the last seven games is also no laughing matter.
Duds
Micky Gasper (0-f0r-4)
The only player with no hits to not do anything contributive to this one. Carlos Narváez gets a pass for his multiple successful ABS challenges and a sacrifice fly.
Play of the Game
I have to give it to Suárez’s outing, it actually made the Red Sox interesting to watch!
