Boston’s Devers sets record with 6 hits, 4 doubles in loss
CLEVELAND: Rafael Devers wasn’t trying to make history, it just happened.
Boston’s third baseman became who homered in the 10th as the Red Sox won for just the fourth time in 16 games. “He hit it hard every time.”
Devers also made a costly error that allowed the Indians to close within 6-5 in the seventh.
“I just tried to have a good atbat every turn,” Devers said. “I’m
every at-bat. Sometimes I don’t have a good game when I feel that way.”
Red Sox starter Chris Sale, who made his own history by getting to 2,000 career strikeouts faster than any pitcher, was more impressed with Devers’ accomplishment.
“Unbelievable,” he said. “That’s (his stats) really all that needs to be said. He’s one of the best players in the league and he’s got a chance to be MVP. That’s pretty special.”
Devers was not upset with his error, when he couldn’t handle a routine grounder.
“It happened,” he said. “It’s an error that as soon as it happened, I tried to turn the page. It’s a play I should have made. Not to make excuses, but it did take a weird hop.”
Sale reaches 2,000 career strikeouts in record pace
Boston Red Sox lefty Chris Sale has reached 2,000 career strikeouts faster than any pitcher in history.
Sale entered Tuesday’s game against the Indians with 1,995 strikeouts. He struck out the side
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Chris Sale delivers in the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in Cleveland.
stone in the third when he fanned rookie Oscar Mercado.
According to information provided by the Red Sox, Sale broke Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez’s mark by getting to 2,000 in 1,626 innings. Martinez did it in 1,711 1/3 innings. Randy Johnson reached the plateau in 1,733 1/3 innings, and Max Scherzer got there in 1,784.
Sale has struggled this season. He entered his 25th start at just 6-11 with a 4.41 ERA. Still, he has the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in the majors since 1920.
The 30-year-old is in his third season with Boston after spending seven with the Chicago White Sox. He opened 2019 with four straight
until May 3.