The Red Sox took advantage of some sloppy defensive play by Arizona, which committed two first-inning errors. The years I’ve gone out and had good years are years I’m going out knowing what I want to do and I’m throwing the pitches I want to throw regardless of who’s hitting. “Have to earn the right to stay out there in those situations and I guess I haven’t earned it”.
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Ziegler, acquired last month from Arizona, saved what could have been a rough inning after Matt Barnes walked three straight batters.
“He struck out the side in a crucial moment”, Boston manager John Farrell said. “A big lift in that particular inning”.
Later in the seventh, rookie Andrew Benintendi added to the highlight reel with a diving catch in left field to rob Michael Bourn of a hit.
– Xander Bogaerts (0 for 4), David Ortiz (0 for 3), Hanley Ramirez (0 for 4) and Travis Shaw (0 for 3) were the only Sox starters without a hit. They had won four of five.
Porcello is 0-1 with a 5.11 ERA in two career starts against the Diamondbacks in 2010 and 2014 with the Detroit Tigers. “The results weren’t”, manager Chip Hale said. “But he did a nice job”. However, maybe we all should have seen it coming earlier this year.
Craig Kimbrel, the sixth Boston pitcher, worked a ideal ninth for his 19th save.
Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz also started off the game strong, as he faced the minimum through innings thanks to two double play balls that ended the second and the third inning. Bradley, who has posted a 3.38 ERA in his last eight road appearances, will be making his 25th career start and first versus Boston.All-Star knuckleballer Steven Wright’s shoulder injury has opened a door for Buchholz to make his first start since July 2.
Corbin (4-12) lasted only 1 2/3 innings, allowing eight runs and nine hits, including both of Ramirez’s homers. Boston’s lead would only grow in the bottom of the sixth, with Brock Holt clearing the dugouts with Sandy Leon on base to make it 6-3.
In the sixth, Leon drew a one out walk and Holt smashed a fastball over the bullpen for a two-run ding dong, ending Bradley’s night.
Gosewich led off the Arizona fifth with a long homer.
Buchholz held the Diamondbacks hitless until Bourn’s one-out single in the fourth. Rickie Weeks gave the D-backs the lead 2-1 in the fourth with a RBI single. “The results weren’t”, Hale said. The righty has been on the DL after elbow inflammation since May 26.
However, second baseman Dustin Pedroia left the game due to flu-like symptoms.
Additionally, while right fielder Mookie Betts came back from a calf issue, it was revealed after the game that center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.is still feeling the effects of a ball fouled off his big toe.
“The range of motion has improved, as I said over the last 24 hours, the strength, the symptoms have decreased”, Farrell said.
For Matt Barnes, the seventh inning did not prove too much of a problem thanks in no small part to a lovely double play, with Dustin Pedroia ranging behind second, the flipping the ball to Xander Bogaerts as the shortstop slowed up to accommodate Pedroia, then stepped across the bag and fired to first. Right-hander Zack Greinke (11-3, 3.67) goes for the Diamondbacks.
One batter later, Andrew Benintendi, who continued his hot start with a 2-for-3 night, doubled off the Green Monster to score Holt.
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Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (15-3, 3.40) hopes to continue his startling success this season in Fenway Park on Sunday. The righty is looking to become the first Red Sox pitcher since Dave “Boo” Ferriss in 1946 to win his first 12 decisions in a season at home. Perhaps noticing that Ziegler was determined to throw strikes, Yasmany Tomas went out there swinging, but only managed to make contact once, fouling off an 0-2 curve before going down himself on a sinker.
