UNUSUAL REQUEST FOR SALTY:
Rare Salty bunt unable to help
John Farrell admitted it was an unusual demand.
Jarrod Saltalamacchia has only three sacrifice bunts in his career, none since 2009. But with two on, nobody out and the Red Sox trailing by two runs in the seventh inning yesterday, Farrell called on the catcher to put down a bunt and move the runners along.
“The way he’s been feeling and seeing the ball at the plate, it might not have been the normal request on Salty’s part,” the manager said. “But we’re just trying to stay out of the double play and put two men in scoring position.” It didn’t work. Saltalamacchia chopped a bunt in front of the plate, where Detroit catcher Alex Avila gloved it and threw to third base to cut down lead runner Daniel Nava.
With runners on first and second and one out, Stephen Drew and Will Middlebrooks each grounded out, ending the threat in an eventual 3-0 loss.
“I think I just got on top of it too much and it just popped straight up,” Saltalamacchia said. “It’s something I’ve been working on and wanted to get it done, just didn’t happen.”
Farrell explained further that he opted for Saltalamacchia to bunt because Tigers starter Doug Fister had been effective at getting the Red Sox to hit the ball on the ground. In fact, Saltalamacchia came to the plate in an identical twoon, none-out situation in the third inning and hit into one of the Sox’ three double plays.
One thing Farrell didn’t consider: Using a pinchhitter who was more familiar with bunting. If Saltalamacchia had gotten ahead in the count, the Red Sox would’ve taken off the bunt sign and instructed him to swing away.
“I don’t think that’s a style of play we’ve used much this year,” Farrell said, referring to the team’s 18 sacrifice bunts, tied with the White Sox for fewest in the majors. “We’ve shown what we are throughout the course of the year. But there are certain situations that, if it’s in a guy’s repertoire or even in a game like today, we’re not hesitant to call upon it.”
Nava stays hot
Although the Red Sox were shut out for the 11th time, Nava reached base in each of his four plate appearances, finishing 3-for-3 with two doubles and one walk. He ranks second on the team with a .387 onbase percentage, trailing only David Ortiz (.395).
“He’s very disciplined,” Farrell said. “He’s going to work a count deep. As he stays fresh, he maintains that approach and doesn’t come out of that approach. But I don’t think what he’s doing this year should be a total surprise. This is very much part of his track record as a player.”
But Nava has sustained his success longer than in previous years. In 2010 and again last season, he tailed off after the All-Star break, in part because of injuries. This season, he’s batting .300 with 10 homers and 56 RBI even after reaching career-highs in games (113) and at-bats (380).
“Honestly, I just look for a good pitch to hit and take a good swing,” Nava said. “I think the more you complicate things it impacts you more than you probably want it to. When you’re well, when you’re not going well, you always try to simplify things.” . . .
Making his first appearance in four days, lefty reliever Matt Thornton inherited Lackey’s two-on, one-out jam in the eighth inning and allowed a sacrifice fly to Prince Fielder. He then tossed a scoreless ninth inning.
Outfielders are in
Just as the Sox hoped, right fielder Shane Victorino (bruised left hip) and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury (swollen left thumb) were back in the lineup after leaving Sunday’s game prematurely.
“We’re at the time of year that most everyday players are dealing with something,” Farrell said. “But they’re ready to go. Everyone in here recognizes the situation we’re in and the need to answer the bell every day. That’s one of the characteristics of this team. There is an accountability to one another in here.”
Victorino went 1-for-3 and was hit by a pitch in the first inning, continuing a stretch in which he has reached base in 14 of his last 15 games despite batting exclusively righthanded because of a balky left hamstring. He also has been hit by a pitch nine times since Aug. 4, all as a right-handed batter.
Ellsbury, meanwhile, finished 0-for-3. And despite making a diving catch to steal a hit from Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias, he also threw to the wrong base in the eighth inning, allowing Torii Hunter to take second base on a single.
Pushing for Clay
Initially, right-hander Clay Buchholz had been scheduled for his final minor league tuneup tomorrow with Triple-A Pawtucket. But if his wife, Lindsay, doesn’t give birth before tomorrow, labor will be induced, and if that happens, Buchholz won’t pitch until Thursday.
Regardless, the Red Sox remain hopeful that Buchholz will be able to return next week, possibly even Tuesday night in the opener of a pivotal three-game series against the secondplace Tampa Bay Rays.