The arrival coincides with the placement of the Red Sox other top offensive prospect, Andrew Benintendi, being placed on the disabled list.
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FILE – In this July 10, 2016, file photo, World team’s Yoan Moncada, of the Boston Red Sox, hits against the USA team during the All-Star Futures baseball game in San Diego.
Entering the night, the Red Sox owned the first American League Wild Card spot by just one game. Travis Shaw, Aaron Hill and Brock Holt, who have rotated at third, are batting a combined.186/.265/.309 in the second half.
Jackie Bradley Jr., who had three hits, and Xander Bogaerts each homered for the Red Sox.
Signed for what could end up being a bargain $31.5 million during spring training in 2015, the Sox were so excited about adding the switch-hitting infielder to their organization that they were willing to pay another $31.5 million to the league in luxury tax, the penalty for going over their global signing limit.
Moncada played 105 games in Salem and Portland so far this year, combining for 23 home runs, 99 RBI and 36 stolen bases to go along with a.289 batting average.
The Rays made it 4-1 on Kiermaier’s single in the fourth, but they could have had another if Tim Beckham hadn’t slowed up along the third base line on the way home. Ramirez hit the next pitch over the Green Monster for his 19th homer of the season.
Asked which mistake was worse, the out on the basepaths or the squandered run, Cash said: “Definitely the not hustling”.
Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 24th save.
“I felt like it was hard for me to get the same life, the same action I had pre-injury”, he said. “We’ve talked about Yoan, and not just as a pinch runner”, manager John Farrell said.
Moncada could prove to be the Red Sox savior at third base and provide a similar spark the club needs for an October run.
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Rays: Off Thursday, home against Toronto on Friday with Alex Cobb making his 2016 debut against Francisco Liriano (7-12).
