Latest news with #Crochet
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Cora hopes Red Sox add at deadline, but adds: ‘I think this year is a little bit different'
MINNEAPOLIS — In September, major league managers confess to watching the out-of-town scoreboard to see how the competition is doing as the playoff races intensify. In late July, they tend to keep one eye focused on MLB Trade Rumors to see which teams with whom they're competing have improved with acquisitions. 'I pay attention,' said Alex Cora before the Red Sox began a three-game road trip here against the Twins. 'I know what's going on.' In the last week, Seattle added first baseman Josh Naylor and the Yankees acquired infield help (Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario). Detroit obtained starter Chris Paddack, who scheduled to face the Sox Tuesday, from the Twins. Moves are being made. To date, the Red Sox have been quiet. Not long ago, Cora attributed the team's second-half struggles in recent seasons to its passive approach at past trade deadlines, pointedly noting 'if you're not getting better, you're falling behind.' Particularly under former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom, Cora let his frustration be known when the team was either unwilling or unable to make midseason upgrades in 2022 and 2023. But while he be trying temper expectations, Cora said Monday that while additions would be welcome this summer, they aren't as imperative as past seasons. 'I think this year is a little bit different,' said Cora, 'because our pitching staff is really good. The bullpen is solid so far and we're healthy. Last year, we were limping into the trade deadline and we tried to make a few moves here and there (with Lucas Sims and Luis Garcia), but it wasn't adding — it was kind of substituting for the guys (Chris Martin and Justin Slaten) that were banged up. 'This year, we're at full force in the bullpen (though Aroldis Chapman is currently sidelined with back spasms). You saw it over the weekend, you saw it for the past month and a half. It's one of the best units in the big leagues (the Boston bullpen entered Monday with a 3.40 ERA, fourth-best in the MLB). If we (continue), we're going to be OK.' A big difference between this season and last is the presence of Garrett Crochet, who gives the Red Sox something they had lacked for a number of seasons: an honest-to-goodness, front-of-the-rotation starter. Crochet has, as hoped, extended winning streaks while stopping losing streaks and is among the league leaders in innings pitched, lightening the bullpen load every five days. His mere presence boosts confidence team-wide. 'Crochet is a game-changer,' said Cora. 'It's a lot different than the last few years.' And though he's stumbled some in his last two outings, Lucas Giolito has emerged as a solid. No. 2 option behind Crochet while Brayan Bello (3.32) has taken significant steps forward. But there's also no denying the team's thinned out depth. Thanks to injuries, Kutter Crawford, Tanner Houck, Hunter Dobbins and Patrick Sandoval, each envisioned as reinforcements in the second half, will not be eturning to contribute. 'You're one pitch away from someone getting backed up,' conceded Cora. 'We were talking about our depth in spring training and how deep it was. We're shorter than where we were in February. We're still comfortable with the guys that we have here and the guys that we have in the minor leagues. We're always looking for pitching, trying to improve that area and we'll see what happens.' The cost of doing business this time of year, always high, has become, according to some, prohibitive or nearly so. So few teams have starting pitching to deal that even rentals as fetching exorbitant returns. And acquiring quality starters with remaining control? The asks are so outlandish that almost no one expects a pitcher of that quality to be moved by 6 p.m. Thursday. Again, perhaps Cora knows something we don't. Perhaps Craig Breslow has told him that even back-of-the-rotation options like Charlie Morton are outside of the team's comfort zone. Or maybe Cora is attempting to manage expectations in the clubhouse in the event that Breslow is unable to upgrade. But the air of desperation at the deadline the last few Julys is clearly absent this year. Even in a worst-case scenario in which his team stands pat, Cora feels better about his present roster than he has at any comparable point in the last three seasons. 'I think overall, we're capable, with the team that we have, to make a run and make it to October,' said Cora. 'But as always, we have to improve certain areas. Is it from the minor leagues or a trade? We'll see which route we take. We're not perfect, but there's not a perfect team in the American League.' More Red Sox coverage Ten of 'clutch' Red Sox slugger's 20 HRs have tied game or given team lead Red Sox Jordan Hicks, forced to wait 90 minutes through weather delay, put in 'uncomfortable' scenario Red Sox replacing Richard Fitts on roster Tuesday; could trade addition fill rotation spot? Red Sox reactions: Jordan Hicks blows late lead (after 90-minute ninth inning delay) in brutal loss Red Sox rain delay: Downpour and threat of lightning halts game in ninth inning Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox' Alex Cora: ‘I've never seen anything like that. Credit to them'
BOSTON — The thousands of Dodgers fans at Fenway Park erupted in the first inning Saturday when superstar Shohei Ohtani led off the game with a 414-foot, 108.5 mph home run to center field against Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet. 'That was Dodger Stadium-like, to be honest with you,' Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. 'I've never seen so many people from the opposition in one ballpark. That was different.' Crochet allowed two solo homers in the first inning but then settled in. The lefty led the Red Sox to a 4-2 victory over the Dodgers in front of a sold-out, mixed crowd of 36,687. 'The first inning, I've never seen anything like that," Cora said. 'Credit to them.' The Dodgers have made the postseason 12 straight years dating back to 2013. They are reigning World Series champs and their fans show up on the road. 'They've done an amazing job throughout the years getting to October and making a habit of that,' Cora said. 'And their fan base, they travel well. But that was loud. That was very loud. Never seen anything like that.' Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran — who went 3-for-4 with two triples, one double and two RBIs — enjoyed the back-and-forth between Red Sox and Dodgers fans throughout the evening. 'There was a lot of blue out there,' Duran said. 'More than I thought there would be, but it's awesome. I mean, it's always fun to hear the fans going back at it. You know, Dodgers, Red Sox. Dodgers, Red Sox. Usually we hear that when it's us vs. the Yankees, they yell at each other. But today we got a little Dodgers and Red Sox fans yelling at each other. So that's always fun.' Crochet helped shift the momentum (and noise) from Dodgers to Red Sox fans. He dominated in his next two face-offs with Ohtani. He struck out the three-time MVP swinging on four pitches to end the second inning. Crochet punched him out on three pitches to end the fourth, stranding runners at the corners. He started the fourth-inning at-bat with two fastballs (97.7 mph, 97 mph) that Ohtani fouled off and then got him to swing and miss on an 87.9 mph cutter. Crochet recorded his 11th career double-digit strikeout game and fifth this season. He allowed two runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out 10 in 6 innings. 'I think that we saw it when New York came to town as well,' Crochet said about the atmosphere inside Fenway. 'Honestly, I feel like we've been seeing it the past month-plus. It seems like every weekend here is sold out and very lively. It's a great crowd to play in front of, for sure.' More Red Sox coverage Alex Cora explains new-look Red Sox lineup with Roman Anthony leading off Red Sox lineup has new rookie leadoff man, Jarren Duran in heart of order in rubber game vs. Dodgers Red Sox' Jarren Duran not stressing about trade deadline; 'I love this team' Some Things I Think I Think: It's time for Red Sox to go for it at trade deadline Red Sox Garrett Crochet settles in after rocky first; 'I still had a lot of game left' Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Red Sox push back ace Garrett Crochet's next start to next week
Their motivation: continuing to manage Crochet's workload. He is due to surpass his 2024 innings total (146) in his next outing. 'I kind of knew throughout the season that we'd try to find extra rest for me when we could,' said Crochet, who leads the majors with 141⅓ innings. 'I like a five-day [routine], but I appreciate the front office and the managerial staff and everybody looking out for me.' Crochet described this as 'a good time to catch my breath a little bit' because of the team's day off Thursday. Advertisement 'Before we really get into the heat of August and September, while the offdays are still kind to us and we're able to do this without throwing everyone else off schedule as well, it's a benefit to me,' he said. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Cora said: 'This is something we've been talking about for a while here, kind of give him a breather.' The Red Sox have not named a fill-in starter. Among their options: Cooper Criswell (who returned to the majors on Tuesday), a call-up, a bullpen game, and an external addition prior to Thursday's 6 p.m. trade deadline. 'All of the above [are possible], I guess, right?' Cora said. Lefthander Kyle Harrison , who has a 4.78 ERA in six Triple A starts since joining the organization in the Rafael Devers trade last month, is scheduled to start for Worcester on Friday, with David Sandlin set to piggyback out of the bullpen. So the Sox could call up Harrison and have Sandlin start the minor league game in his Triple A debut. Advertisement Walker Buehler will start against Houston on Saturday, Lucas Giolito on Sunday. Crochet prefers this arrangement — a few extra days off — over the other approach, mixing in, say, an 80-pitch outing, as the Sox did in May against the Mets. 'Then you're putting the bullpen in an awkward spot,' he said. 'I feel guilty doing it to the [other starters], but that's what we're all here for. We're here to pick each other up and pull for one another.' Crochet had eight days between his last start before the All-Star break and his first start after (and skipped pitching in the exhibition for the sake of extra rest). Now he will get another nine or 10 days. Will the Sox give him another such break at some point in the next two months? 'I'm not sure, honestly,' he said. 'I think realistically … as we get into August and September, what we're looking like as far as postseason picture [will influence that]. 'I've been feeling really good. Last year [in his first season as a starter], I didn't know what to expect. This year, I went into the break with 20 more innings than last year, but felt a little bit better than I expected, to be honest. And that's kind of [been] true throughout the season for me.' Bregman scratched but OK Alex Bregman , originally in the lineup for the series finale against the Twins on Wednesday afternoon, was removed after a moment of transparency with Cora. Advertisement 'I told him, let me know in the morning how you feel,' Cora said. 'Giving the chance to be honest with me in the morning, text me in the morning. He's like, 'I can go, but I'm a little bit tired.' ' Bregman had started the previous five games, his first time playing more than two days in a row since returning from a right quadriceps strain. Tim Healey can be reached at
Boston Globe
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
As trade deadlines nears, Twins' Joe Ryan focusing on where he is at the moment
Advertisement 'It was fun to entertain the thoughts during the All-Star break more, but seriously, since the season has been back on and I've been back with my teammates, this is all that I think about. Being present.' Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up About the All-Star break: As the game's best gathered in Atlanta, Ryan hung around a bunch with Red Sox ace Garrett Crochet , a seemingly random pairing made more interesting by the subtext that Ryan, if traded, would be a great match for the Sox. Turns out, they already knew each other a bit, having met during spring training via Griffin Jax , a Twins reliever (and another potential trade subject). In addition to being teammates with Ryan, Jax is 'a good buddy of mine,' Crochet said. They have worked out together in Arizona for parts of the past three offseasons. Advertisement So after making that connection in Fort Myers, Fla., where both clubs train, gravitating to each other during All-Star hoopla was natural. 'Just being pitchers, we chatted a good bit,' Crochet said. Ryan said: 'Good to see him at the All-Star Game and good to be there myself and good for him to be there. Fun to watch him do his thing.' Ryan lived that week a version of what Crochet experienced last year. In 2024, as a member of the White Sox, Crochet was a first-time All-Star, the new guy on that grand stage, as the baseball world wondered about his future. He spent time with Tanner Houck and Jarren Duran , months before joining their team. This time, Ryan was the rookie, so to speak, as trade rumors swirled. Ryan said they talked about that similar dynamic 'not as much as you'd think.' 'Maybe a little bit just chatting about stuff, but nothing crazy,' he said. Crochet said: 'He's got a good head on his shoulders. Me last year, I felt like a fish out of water when I was there. First real year back from injury, first All-Star Game, I was really young. There was a lot of [expletive] going on. . . . For me, it was a lot to deal with. But no, he's a smart guy and a good ballplayer, so I would expect he'll be wanted by a lot of clubs.' Ryan, 29, is scheduled to not reach free agency until after the 2027 season. He owns a 2.82 ERA and 0.92 WHIP this season but won't pitch against the Sox this week. Advertisement Anthony's new home After slotting rookie Roman Anthony into the leadoff spot for a second game in a row, manager Alex Cora indicated he plans to leave him there. 'He's done it his whole life,' Cora said. 'I feel like now, where we're at as a team and what Jarren [ Duran ] is doing offensively too, we can be more creative with Jarren hitting third.' Anthony, 21, has started at least one game in each of the top five spots in the batting order, none below that. Choppy skies The Red Sox endured a 'rough flight' late Sunday, with bad weather forcing a pitstop in Detroit, Cora said. The second leg, to Minnesota, featured significant turbulence. A day later, Garrett Whitlock still was feeling the effects, rendering him questionable for Monday's game. 'There were a lot of people banged up after that flight,' Cora said, adding later: 'Supposedly.' Cora said he slept through it. Easy as 1-2-3 Duran forgetting how many outs there were Sunday against the Dodgers — ending up on second base when he could have been at third — necessitated a conversation. 'We talked about it with him,' Cora said. 'He knows he [expletive] up, so don't do it again.' . . . Rocco Baldelli said. Tim Healey can be reached at
Canada News.Net
4 days ago
- Sport
- Canada News.Net
MLB roundup: Cal Raleigh hits 40th HR in M's win
(Photo credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images) Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 40th home run to highlight a four-run sixth inning and Julio Rodriguez homered for the fourth time in three games to lead the Seattle Mariners to a 7-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night in Anaheim, Calif. Randy Arozarena also homered and Dominic Canzone added a two-run single for the Mariners, who moved within four games of the first-place Houston Astros in the American League West. Raleigh became the first catcher and switch-hitter in major league history to hit 40 homers before the end of July. He also became the seventh different catcher to hit 40 home runs in a season, joining Johnny Bench and Mike Piazza -- who both did it twice -- Roy Campanella, Todd Hundley, Javy Lopez and Salvador Perez. George Kirby (5-5) picked up the win, allowing two runs on five hits in six innings while striking out nine. Reliever Jose Fermin (2-2) was handed the loss, allowing three runs on one hit and two walks without recording an out. Phillies 9, Yankees 4 Bryce Harper homered in the third inning and Kyle Schwarber hit a two-run double, one pitch after an error by second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the seventh as visiting Philadelphia rolled past struggling New York. The Phillies sent the Yankees to their seventh loss in 10 games following New York's five-game winning streak July 6-11. Philadelphia also earned the win after the Yankees held Aaron Judge out of the lineup because of a right elbow injury. Tests showed later Saturday that Judge has a flexor strain. He will go on the 10-day injured list, though he suffered no damage to his UCL, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said after the loss. Red Sox 4, Dodgers 2 Garrett Crochet allowed two solo home runs in the top of the first but then pitched five shutout innings to help Boston defeat visiting Los Angeles to split the first two games of a three-game series. Crochet (12-4) limited the Dodgers to two runs on eight hits in six innings. He struck out 10 and walked two. It was the fifth time this season Crochet has recorded 10 or more strikeouts and allowed no more than two earned runs in at least six innings. Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez each homered against Crochet. Ohtani opened the game by hitting his 38th home run of the season. Two batters later Hernandez hit his 16th home run, which was his second in as many games. Blue Jays 6, Tigers 1 Bo Bichette broke a scoreless deadlock with a two-run single in the eighth inning and Toronto downed host Detroit to take the first three games of the series and stretch its winning streak to four. Nathan Lukes supplied a two-run homer and George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added solo homers for Toronto, which has won four straight and eight of nine since the All-Star break. Braydon Fisher (4-0) notched the win in relief. The game featured a pitchers' duel between starters Kevin Gausman and Tarik Skubal. Gausman limited the Tigers to one hit and one walk with 10 strikeouts in six innings. Skubal allowed five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts in six innings. Reds 6, Rays 2 Elly De La Cruz broke a tie with a two-run single in the seventh inning to help Cincinnati beat visiting Tampa Bay for the Reds' third straight win. Starting pitcher Andrew Abbott gave up one run on two hits and struck out seven in six innings for the Reds. Rays starter Ryan Pepiot also went six, allowing two runs on two hits. He struck out six and walked four. Tampa Bay has lost five of its past six games. With the bases loaded and two out, De La Cruz lifted a slider off reliever Garrett Cleavinger into the gap in center field, scoring Spencer Steer and TJ Friedl to put Cincinnati in front 4-2. Cleavinger replaced Bryan Baker (3-4), who departed after 2/3 of the inning because of an injury. Marlins 7, Brewers 4 Heriberto Hernandez, Dane Myers, and Agustin Ramirez each homered as visiting Miami pounded out a victory over Milwaukee. Miami's Janson Junk (5-2), who pitched for Milwaukee in parts of 2023 and 2024, allowed three runs on eight hits in five innings, striking out five with no walks in his first outing against his former team. Tyler Phillips allowed one run over the final four innings for his first save. Milwaukee's Jose Quintana (7-4) allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits in five innings, striking out two and walking two. Pirates 2, Diamondbacks 0 Oneil Cruz's second-inning, two-run home run proved to be the difference as host Pittsburgh blanked Arizona to even up a three-game series. Cruz's 410-foot homer to center off Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly was his 17th of the season and lifted the Pirates to their fourth win in their past five games. Closer David Bednar picked up his 16th save in as many opportunities and nailed down Pittsburgh's 12th shutout of the season with a perfect ninth inning. He capped a stellar effort by Pirates pitchers, beginning with starter Andrew Heaney, who combined with five relievers to allow only four total hits. The Diamondbacks lost for the fourth time in their past five games and were shut out for only the fourth time this season. Kelly, who has been the subject of trade speculation, gave up two runs, but only one earned, over 6 2/3 innings. Orioles 18, Rockies 0 Baltimore's Trevor Rogers held visiting Colorado to one hit across seven shutout innings and the Orioles belted three home runs in a rout to even the series. Cedric Mullins smashed a three-run home run and Tyler O'Neill drilled a two-run homer to spark Baltimore's offense. Ryan O'Hearn provided a pair of run-scoring singles -- the latter part of a nine-run seventh inning -- and Alex Jackson added a solo home run. Rogers (4-1) struck out five in the combined two-hitter, with Yaramil Hiraldo and Kade Strowd each working one inning. The Rockies' only hit through eight innings was Thairo Estrada's one-out single in the second. Starter Antonio Senzatela (4-14) gave up six runs on six hits in four innings as his major league-worst loss total grew. Cubs 6, White Sox 1 Ian Happ and Matt Shaw homered to back 6 1/3 strong innings from Cade Horton as the visiting Cubs defeated the South Siders to even the crosstown series at one game apiece. Dansby Swanson delivered a two-out, two-run single in the eighth to stretch the advantage to 5-0 before Shaw worked a bases-loaded walk to drive in a run. Shaw had three RBIs and Happ had two hits. Mike Tauchman paced the White Sox with two hits, including a solo home run to lead off the ninth and avoid a shutout. Starters Horton and Aaron Civale of the White Sox matched zeros over the first five innings, setting a brisk pace. Civale scattered three hits and didn't walk a batter while matching a season high with six strikeouts over five shutout innings. Horton allowed four hits and one walk in 6 1/3 innings. Nationals 9, Twins 3 CJ Abrams and Alex Call drove in three runs apiece and Washington pulled away in a win over Minnesota in Minneapolis. Call and Luis Garcia Jr. each homered for the Nationals, who evened the series at one win apiece. Drew Millas finished with a team-high three hits and scored a pair of runs. Lefty Mitchell Parker held the Twins to two runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. Center fielder Jacob Young left the game early for Washington because of a right index finger contusion after a pitch hit him in the finger while he was trying to bunt. Ty France went 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI for Minnesota. Royce Lewis finished 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Right-hander Joe Ryan allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits in five innings. Outfielder Byron Buxton left the game early because of left side soreness. The Twins said Buxton is day-to-day. Rangers 6, Braves 5 (10 innings) Marcus Semien's walk-off single in the bottom of the 10th inning proved the difference as host Texas stayed hot by edging Atlanta in the middle game of a three-game interleague series in Arlington, Texas. Semien's hit off the Braves' Enyel De Los Santos (3-3) drove home Josh Smith from second base and came after De Los Santos, the Braves' sixth pitcher of the day, intentionally walked Corey Seager. Reliever Shawn Armstrong (4-3) was the beneficiary of Semien's game-winner as the Rangers won their fifth straight and seven of eight since the All-Star break. Michael Harris II had a solo home run, a double and two triples, accounting for four of Atlanta's eight hits. Royals 5, Guardians 3, 10 innings (Game 1) Jonathan India hit a three-run, walk-off homer in the 10th inning against Cleveland closer Emmanuel Clase as host Kansas City won the first game of a split doubleheader. India came to the plate against Clase (5-3) with one out and deposited a 1-2 slider into the left field seats for his first career walk-off homer. The Royals rallied after the Guardians moved ahead in the top of the 10th on Kyle Manzardo's RBI single against Steven Cruz (3-1). Maikel Garcia hit a two-run homer for Kansas City. Bo Naylor had two RBIs for Cleveland, which left 10 runners on base and went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Guardians 6, Royals 4 (Game 2) Steven Kwan continued his power surge with his third home run in his last three games to help Cleveland beat host Kansas City to earn a doubleheader split. Johnathan Rodriguez doubled in two runs and Brayan Rocchio doubled twice for the Guardians. Tanner Bibee (7-9) allowed four runs on seven hits with no walks and eight strikeouts over five innings. Nic Enright and Hunter Gaddis combined for three scoreless innings before Emmanuel Clase retired the Royals in order in the ninth for his 24th save. Bobby Witt Jr. and Freddy Fermin each hit two-run homers for Kansas City, which was held to one hit in the final four innings. Kris Bubic (8-7) allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits with four walks and one strikeout over 2 2/3 innings. Padres 3, Cardinals 1 Jake Cronenworth hit a double and scored twice to lead San Diego past host St. Louis. Five batters were hit by pitches in the game, which led to a brief benches-clearing skirmish in the ninth inning after Padres slugger Manny Machado was plunked for the second time in the game. San Diego starter Randy Vasquez held the Cardinals to one run on one hit in 4 2/3 innings. He was followed by four relievers, with Robert Suarez closing out the game for his 30th save. St. Louis starter Matthew Liberatore allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings. After Cardinals reliever Andre Granillo brought players from both teams onto the field by hitting Machado with a pitch, Machado had a confrontation with Cardinals coach Jon Jay, who earned an ejection. But the incident deescalated after some pushing and shoving. Mets 2, Giants 1 Mark Vientos' two-out, two-run double in the sixth inning gave New York the lead and four pitchers combined to make it stand up as the Mets made it two straight over host San Francisco. Robbie Ray, whose National League All-Star spot went to New York starter David Peterson when the Giants starter became ineligible to pitch, took a four-hit shutout and 1-0 lead into the sixth before walking Juan Soto and Starling Marte. After a groundout advanced the runners, Vientos doubled to left field, giving the Mets the lead for good. Peterson allowed the only San Francisco run while surrendering eight hits in his six innings. Relievers Reed Garrett and Ryne Stanek both pitched scoreless innings, then Edwin Diaz recorded his 22nd save. The Giants went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the loss, which was their eighth in their last 10 games. Athletics 5, Astros 1 Shea Langeliers homered for the second consecutive game and a quartet of pitchers paced the Athletics past host Houston to clinch this four-game series for the visitors. Athletics starter Jacob Lopez and relievers Justin Sterner (3-3), Sean Newcomb and Mason Miller limited the Astros to four hits, including Christian Walker's double. Newcomb notched four strikeouts over two innings. Teammate Lawrence Butler hit a three-run blast in the ninth off Houston reliever Hector Neris. The Astros started All-Star right-hander Hunter Brown (9-5), who needed 98 pitches, with only 54 strikes, to complete five innings as he allowed one run on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
