Unsung Red Sox Relievers Come Up Big In Series Deciding Game
There’s more than one way to win a baseball game.
Six innings from your starting pitcher typically gives you a good chance, but that wasn’t the case for the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. Walker Buehler only managed 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs. He had a hard time throwing strikes as he walked five hitters.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had a two-run lead when Alex Cora went to his bullpen. The Red Sox went back in front in the bottom of the fifth inning and held on to win, 4-3.
Despite playing with a lead for most of the game, Cora didn’t go to his usual high-leverage arms. Greg Weissert pitched the sixth inning. He’s worked in some high-leverage spots, but pitched from behind in two of his last three appearances. He rewarded his manager for the confidence, retiring Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez with a runner on second base.
Justin Wilson took the seventh and kept the Dodgers off the board after allowing two runners to reach base. Aroldis Chapman took the eighth inning against the top of the lineup, but quickly exited due to back tightness.
With Garrett Whitlock working yesterday, Cora gave the ball to Jordan Hicks. Hicks was fortunate that a line drive found Ceddanne Rafaela’s glove, inciting an inning-ending double play. Hicks kept the ball for the ninth and closed the door for the win.
The method of operation for Alex Cora has been to give the ball to Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman in the eighth and ninth innings. On Sunday, he had to use almost his entire bullpen. He picked the right spots for the right pitchers and blanked the Dodgers for the final five innings of the game as a result.
The offense is yet to click for the Red Sox coming out of the All-Star break, but the pitching and defense have done enough to keep them in games. They play the Minnesota Twins next, owners of a 4.17 team ERA, which is good for 21st in baseball. If the offense clicks and the bullpen continues to give opponents trouble, they’ll have opportunities to win games.