“We’re in the last couple of months of the season, so whoever plays best the last couple of months are going to be the ones in the playoffs”, David Ortiz said. The former Cy Young Award victor put up eight scoreless innings at the Los Angeles Angels to begin the road trip on July 28 but did not factor in the decision in a game Boston went on to lose 2-1.
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From that point, the Red Sox collected just three more hits over the final eight innings.
Ortiz was in good spirits when discussing the decision to come out early, but it’s not something Boston can afford to gamble on in the near future. Asked if Hill would be healthy enough to start Sunday, Roberts said “as far as I’m concerned, yes”. So Hill’s presence is much-needed, and there’s light at the end of the tunnel with Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reporting next Friday as the new target for his Dodgers debut.
“He was just mixing his pitches, throwing them all for strikes”, said Betts, who had two hits.
The Sox scored first in the 2nd inning when Sandy Leon hit an RBI sac fly to score JBJ from third base.
“On a day when three runs seems like a large margin, [the Dodgers’] runs hold up”, Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
When David Ortiz had his first plate appearance, he was given a standing ovation by many fans on Saturday. Legendary broadcaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute while Ortiz stood with former teammates Nomar Garciaparra, Adrian Gonzalez and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Wright is the only major league pitcher to allow three runs or fewer in his 11 road starts to open a season, tying Rogers Clemens’ club mark set in 1988. He was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training this season, and was not believed to see any playing time behind Blake Swihart, Ryan Hanigan, and Christian Vazquez.
Relievers Grant Dayton and Joe Blanton combined for three scoreless innings before closer Kenley Jansen worked a flawless ninth for his 33rd save of the season. But, you know, you’ve got to monitor every guy as they go through it. David’s got a unique situation.
The left-hander also subdued nemesis Dustin Pedroia, the Red Sox second baseman who entered with a career.519 average (22 for 43) and two homers against Kazmir.
It was a rough day for Reddick as he got his first taste of driving in Los Angeles traffic going to the stadium from Glendale, a Los Angeles suburb. Boston claimed Bryan Holaday off waivers from the Texas Rangers to solidify its catching corps.
1B Hanley Ramirez missed his second consecutive game after spraining his left wrist in a dugout fall late Tuesday night. He struck out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning Saturday. Mookie Betts and Brock Holt both singled to lead off the game. LHP Brett Anderson (herniated disk) will make a rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Monday, with a 75-pitch/5-inning limit.
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“I feel like I would have been in a good position if I was able to be effective with my pitches”, said Kazmir, who has a 9-10 career record with a 4.08 ERA in 30 starts against the Red Sox.
