Vazquez adds hot bat to standout defense
CHICAGO — In his own quiet way, Christian Vazquez is becoming a two-way player for the Red Sox.
If he can keep it up, the impact could be very large indeed.
In addition to catching yet another strong start from Drew Pomeranz last night, Vazquez also extended his modest hitting streak to six games, a stretch in which he is batting .416. His hit was an RBI double that gave the Red Sox their last two runs in a 4-1 victory against the White Sox.
He’s hitting .341 on the season now.
“I feel good, and I’m seeing the ball well,” said Vazquez, who added that what makes him feel better about his offense is that it’s been steady and present all season long.
“Very happy, that’s the goal, to be consistent with the hitting and have the team win.”
Vazquez’ hit came off White Sox reliever Anthony Swarzak, who’s having a good year. He placed a slider down and away from the catcher, who still was able to put a good, solid swing on it and launch it into center field.
“I took a 2-1 fastball in the middle, then he threw me that hanging slider and I hit it well, so it was a big hit for us,” Vazquez said.
Manager John Farrell appreciates the bonus facet to Vazquez’ game.
“He goes down and gets a slider off Swarzak, who came in here with miniscule numbers the way he’s pitched this year,” Farrell said. “He’s coming up with some big hits.”
He’s also continued to be strong behind the plate.
He has caught all of Pomeranz’ 10 starts this season and deserves some credit for the left-hander’s recent surge.
“What he’s doing behind the plate, his ability to read swings, is showing in his pitch calling, pitch selection,” Farrell said. “But I think the rapport he’s built with Drew, with (Eduardo Rodriguez) in particular, those are two guys benefiting from that chemistry.”
Pomeranz joked that the two times he shook off Vazquez last night might have been the first times he’s shaken off a sign this season. Probably the last, too.
“Those were on me,” Pomeranz said. “He’s really good back there. He knows me very well. I should trust him more, I guess.
“He’s great back there. Christian, me and him are on the same page.”
Vazquez gave all the credit to the pitcher for his string of solid starts.
“He’s using his cutter more, and he’s getting more outs and strikeouts with the cutter. It’s not fastball and curveball only, you know,” Vazquez said. “I think that’s helped a lot.”