Bullpens prove big in outcome
The Indians were able to improve their bullpen mid-season, trading for the San Diego southpaw Brad Hand, who has one of the nastiest sliders in the game.
For a variety of reasons, the Red Sox did not trade for a reliever.
One reason was that they hoped Tyler Thornburg would turn into a reliable late-game option. The home run he allowed to Yan Gomes in the eighth inning of last night’s 6-3 loss is one sign that he is not a go-to option quite yet.
Joe Kelly, another reliever the Red Sox have higher hopes for in the second half, also allowed a run in the seventh.
Manager Alex Cora does not believe the Sox need to obtain another reliever via trade.
“I mean the last few games we haven’t had the lead so we haven’t been able to use Ryan (Brasier) or (Matt) Barnesy in a situation like that. The same time we’re talking about using our guys a lot when we were ahead,” said Cora. “Well, I know it sucks to say it but a threegame losing streak we’re going to other guys. Breaking to Gomes, they score, looked like Joe was almost getting out of that jam right there, did an outstanding job against (Francisco) Lindor, then hung a breaking ball to (Michael) Brantley and he stays in the middle of the field and he goes there.
“We feel the bullpen is good. We know we have capable guys that they can get the job done and we’re comfortable with them.”
Hand struck out three Red Sox in 11⁄3 innings in the first two games here, as the Sox have lost five of their last seven games against Cleveland overall.
Xander Bogaerts did set a career high with his 57th extra-base hit, an RBI double in the seventh.
Move to the right
The night after Cora got his first look at Cleveland’s bullpen that is heavy with left-handers, including Hand, he shuffled his lineup.
Instead of left-handed hitter Mitch Moreland third after left-handed hitter Andrew Benintendi, Cora dropped Moreland to fifth and moved up righty hitters J.D. Martinez and Bogaerts to the third and fourth spots.
“They’re different,” said Cora about the Indians. “Not all the teams in the big leagues have three good lefties (in the bullpen).”
Mirror image indeed
Cora believes the Indians’ offense bears an uncanny resemblance to his own team. And because he knows his offense is a handful for opponents, the same holds for Cleveland.
“It’s tougher to prepare for them than other teams, because you know that they can run. That’s an element of the game that not everybody buys into it nowadays, and it’s a game changer,” said Cora. “They hit the ball out of the ballpark, but at the same time, if they’re not, they can put pressure on you and steal a few bases, and there’s a bloop single and they score. That’s the way we see it from our end. Even when we’re not clicking on all cylinders offensively — a walk here, a hit-and-run there, it’s first and third and then a ground ball up the middle for a double play is a run for us. So, that’s tough.”
Options available
The trading season for players who cleared waivers is in full swing, but Cora did not believe the Sox needed a so-called “burner” like Dave Roberts, Quintin Berry or Rajai Davis last year. He sees Blake Swihart as that option.
“When Blake doesn’t come into a game to catch, he’s fast enough that he can steal a base,” said Cora. “He’s not a burner but he’s fast enough that he can steal a base or score from first. We’re not going to use (pitchers) Joe (Kelly) or Rick (Porcello). I do feel that they can, but obviously we’ll stay away from that. They’re probably the two best athletes with David (Price) but I think Blake can do that now, the rest of the month, or even in September.”
Cora believes the Red Sox have the best defensive outfield in the majors.
“I do, yeah. Range, instincts, this is not an easy ballpark to play,” he said. “They do a good job but then we go somewhere else and they don’t miss a beat. This is a staff that there’s a lot of fly balls, a lot of strikeouts, and I do feel when the ball is in the air and, obviously it’s not crushed, they have a good chance to catch the ball.” . . .
Eduardo Rodriguez will throw one more rehab start before the team likely activates him. Rodriguez threw four scoreless innings for Double A Portland on Monday night.
Also, knuckleballer Steven Wright will throw a live batting practice Friday in Tampa.
Jimmy Fund drive in action
When the Red Sox took their positions last night, each brought with them a Jimmy Fund patient. The annual telethon for the children’s cancer center continues today. Pledge your support by calling 877-738-1234.