Share this: BOSTON — Craig Kimbrel’s last four outings have been shaky, but the Red Sox aren’t worried about their hard-throwing closer going into the postseason. Kimbrel earned the 4-3 loss Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays after a leadoff walk to left fielder Michael Saunders ended with pinch-runner Dalton Pompey scoring the game-winning run in the ninth inning. Walks have been an issue for the 28-year-old reliever of late because of some mechanical issues, but his coaches are confident he can fix them. “I think really the last three outings now, just getting a little out of posture with his upper body causing him to get rotational,” pitching coach Carl Willis said of Kimbrel. “The stuff’s still there, and like I said
Tag: Red Sox
David Ortiz’s Teammates, Coaches Marvel At Red Sox Slugger’s Clutch Gene
Share this: BOSTON — When David Ortiz retires, he might have a promising second career ahead of him writing fairy tales. The Red Sox designated hitter is nearing the end of a magical final season that has gone better than anyone ever expected — at 40 years old, he’s putting up one of the best statistical campaigns of his career. That meant expectations already were high for Big Papi entering Friday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the which kicked off his final regular season series at Fenway Park. Yet somehow, Ortiz outdid himself again. The 40-year-old designated hitter was the primary source of offense in Boston’s 5-3, come-from-behind win. He plated the Red Sox’s first run with an RBI single in his first at-bat, then put his
Red Sox Notes: Rick Porcello Solidifies Role As Boston’s Top Starter
Share this: BOSTON — The Red Sox haven’t mapped out their rotation for the American League Division Series quite yet, but Rick Porcello almost certainly will be the No. 1 guy. The right-hander didn’t turn in his best outing against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, but it still was good enough to give the Red Sox a 5-3 win. And that’s been the most important part of Porcello’s presence this season: When he’s on the mound, he gives the Red Sox the opportunity to win. “I feel good about the body of work this year,” Porcello said. “More importantly, consistency of giving us a chance to win, providing something that you can count on every fifth day, and that’s what I’ve been
Red Sox Notes: Home-Field Advantage Slipping Away After Boston’s Swept In New Yo…
Share this: The Boston Red Sox’s series in New York was a lot to take in. Tuesday saw the Yankees snap the Red Sox’s 11-game win streak before the New York won again in walk-off fashion Wednesday. However, the Red Sox also clinched the American League East on Wednesday and lost again 5-1 on Thursday while the Yankees officially were eliminated from playoff contention. It was weird, yes, but amid the chaos, the Red Sox were swept and now are losing ground in the race to the top of the AL. With the Red Sox at 92-67 and the Texas Rangers at 94-65 after Thursday with three games left for both teams to play, Boston can all but kiss that No. 1 seed goodbye. But there
Joe Kelly Didn’t Know Red Sox Clinched AL East When He Gave Up Grand Slam
Share this: Joe Kelly walked off the mound Wednesday night in New York thinking the Red Sox had just squandered a chance to lock up the American League East, when in reality, a celebration was about to take place inside the visitors’ clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. Kelly surrendered a walk-off grand slam to Mark Teixeira in the bottom of the ninth inning after Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a leadoff single followed by three straight walks. The agony of a 5-3 defeat was real, even if most of the blame could be pinned on Kimbrel, but the pain quickly turned to jubilation for Kelly when he realized the Red Sox already had clinched a division title by virtue of the
Red Sox Get To Celebrate AL East Title At Yankee Stadium Despite Loss
Share this: The Boston Red Sox’s celebration of their 2016 American League East title was the weirdest to date. The Red Sox had a three-run lead over the New York Yankees heading into the bottom of the ninth inning Wednesday with their closer Craig Kimbrel on the mound. The club already clinched the AL East shortly before thanks to the Baltimore Orioles’ 3-2 win over the Toronto Blue Jays, but it looked as though the Red Sox would take home their own win anyway. Instead, Kimbrel loaded the bases with no outs, Joe Kelly gave up a two-out grand slam to Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, and Boston ended up with a 5-3 loss. But the Red Sox still had celebrating to do after their
MLB Postseason Picture: Red Sox Clinch AL East, Still Would Play Indians
Share this: The 2016 Major League Baseball postseason picture had one major change Wednesday night. While the Red Sox remained as the American League’s No. 2 seed after losing to the New York Yankees 5-3, Boston clinched the AL East crown thanks to the Baltimore Orioles’ comeback victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. As a result, the Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers all have clinched their divisions, while the Blue Jays and Orioles remained in the AL Wild Card Game. The Detroit Tigers (one game behind) and Seattle Mariners (two games behind) still have excellent chances to overtake the O’s. The divisions already are decided in the National League, too, as the Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals and Chicago Cubs all have clinched.