Need we say Moreland
All-around play keys victory
John Farrell believes in defensive momentum, and last night, it had a direct correlation to the Red Sox’ 5-3 comeback win over the Detroit Tigers.
The Sox trailed 3-0 in the fourth when Mitch Moreland made a tough play at first base, keeping his foot on the bag on a Pablo Sandoval throw to record the final out of the frame. Then, Moreland led off the bottom of the inning with a homer to right.
For an offense looking for any kind of spark, it was much-needed.
“It’s almost like we caught a little energy from the final defensive play on the preceding half-inning,” Farrell said. “We almost had a quick turnaround in terms of momentum, and getting it, finally, starting on our side, so that’s what one big swing of the bat can do for you, and we were able to capitalize on it a couple times (last night).”
Jackie Bradley Jr. will be remembered as the hero of the game with his go-ahead eighth-inning home run, but it wouldn’t have been possible without Moreland, who keyed the rally with a game-tying hit earlier in the frame to set up Bradley’s heroics.
“He was big,” Bradley said. “He was all over the ball (last night). He made some great plays defensively as well. He’s been very, very crucial for us.”
That he has. Moreland has exceeded expectations in his first season with the Red Sox, and it’s been especially true of late. In his last 18 games, he’s batting .305 with five homers and 18 RBI, and he’s been a catalyst on an offense that’s disappeared at times.
It was on display again last night. But Farrell doesn’t seem surprised.
“He’s got a really good third of the season under his belt right now,” Farrell said. “He’s a good offensive player. We felt like there was 20 home run capability. We’ll see where that goes, but you kind of project it’s going to be 20 and 80-plus (RBI), somewhere north of that. He’s been everything that we could have anticipated when we signed him.”
Pedroia returns
Dustin Pedroia returned from his 10-day stint on the disabled list with a left wrist sprain. He batted from the No. 2 spot and went 0-for-4.
It seemed to be a quick recovery for Pedroia, who was ready to go without needing a rehab game.
“We’re trying to win the World Series,” Pedroia said before the game. “I’m not trying to win the Governors’ Cup or whatever they call that, you know what I mean?”
Farrell provided further context on why his second baseman didn’t need any tune-up stints in Pawtucket in order to return.
“The (batting practice) he was taking, the fact that you have a guy with a fairly compact swing who understands and knows himself very well,” Farrell said. “He puts four balls in play here (last night), couple of times he has men on second base and doesn’t come through, but he was ready to go.”
Farrell was happy simply just to have Pedroia’s presence back in the lineup.
“I think he serves many times as kind of a visual example of our guys using the whole field, with the approach at the plate,” Farrell said. “I think by the way opposing teams have pitched him and just being I think the grinder he is at the plate, I don’t want to say inspirational leader in our clubhouse, but a guy that’s a gamer in every respect, and having him back is a key for us.”
Travis optioned
To make room for Pedroia on the roster, the Red Sox optioned first baseman Sam Travis back to Pawtucket.
It’s unfortunate for Travis, who hit the ball well in his first big league stint. In six games, which included five starts, the 23-year-old batted .471 (8-for-17) with six runs scored.
“You look at the positional fit,” Farrell said. “If there was other defensive versatility, maybe a different conversation, but where he is defensively at first base, those at-bats are going to be minimal unless we were to do something at the DH slot, and right now that’s where Hanley ( Ramirez is) at.”
Trying Travis out at other positions in Pawtucket doesn’t seem to be an option, either.
“I think first and foremost we’re trying to refine or smooth out some of the defense at first base, so to begin to compound that with other positions, I don’t think he’s ready for that,” Farrell said.
Red Sox reliever Brandon Workman, who pitched 21⁄ 3 innings against the Yankees on Thursday night, was also optioned to Pawtucket to make room for Brian Johnson, who started last night.
Prospect suspended
Red Sox minor league pitcher Yankory Pimentel was suspended 80 games without pay by MLB for testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance.
Pimentel, a 23-year-old right-handed starter from the Dominican Republic, had just been promoted to Double-A Portland. His suspension is effective immediately.