Hot streak continues with another comeback win

At the end of July, the calendar turned. So, too, did the Red Sox season.

The Red Sox are the hottest team in the game this month, the Los Angeles Dodgers included, winners of 13 of 15. They’ve won at home and on the road. They’ve won with pitching, and occasionally, as was the case Friday night, in spite of their pitching.

And they’ve won, consistently, with late-inning comebacks.

Friday, against the New York Yankees, they didn’t manage a walk-off win. But it was another in a series of games in which the Red Sox needed to rally to come from behind – and did.

Some four and a half months into the season, this Red Sox team has developed its identity – relentless and resilient.

“I love the fact that there’s quality at-bats up and down the lineup,’’ said John Farrell after the Sox’ 9-6 win. “I think the tenacity of the group as a whole. Once we turned into the month of August, the offense has turned it on. And it’s not just one guy. Tonight, the bottom third of the lineup (produced six hits, six runs and six RBI) produced. There are contributions up and down the lineup.’’

Last weekend, it was Andrew Benintendi and Rafael Devers. Mookie Betts was the star Wednesday. On Friday, Mitch Moreland, a pinch-hitter for Chris Young, was the hero.

“I don’t know if anyone’s ever comfortable in a pinch-hit situation,’’ said Moreland, who was badly fooled by two changeups from Tommy Kahnle.“I mean, you’re coming off the bench knowing you’re not expecting a whole lot because you haven’t been in there.  You just try to come in, be ready to go, and be aggressive and make something happen.’’

In point of fact, since the start of 2014 Moreland has been the best pinch-hitter in the majors (with at least 40 plate appearances)  with a .459 batting average (17-for-37).

Moreland got a third changeup and rifled through the middle for a two-run single, giving the Red Sox a lead they wouldn’t squander.

It was the 31st come-from-behind win for the Red Sox, including each of their last three victories over the Yankees in the last seven days.

“We’re pretty good at it this year, it seems like,’’ said Moreland of the team’s ability to rally late. “We’re never out of the game. We’re always fighting. They put up four in the top of the seventh and for us to respond with four in the bottom half and take the game back…we just never quit. We stay on the gas pedal the whole game.’’

The more success they have, the more their confidence grows. Falling behind by three with nine outs to go didn’t deter them. They’ve been through this before – plenty.

“Absolutely, the more you’re in those situations, the more confident or comfortable you’ll feel,’’ Moreland said. “I think that’s shown throughout the year. We get in those situations and we’ve been able to feed off each other and find a way to win. Everybody in here has been a hero and helped us a win a game at point or another. It’s been fun to watch and fun to be part of.’’

What’s perhaps most remarkable is that the Sox have gone on this streak without any help from Dustin Pedroia and David Price, both of whom remain on the disabled list. At the time, those injuries seemed crippling, but somehow, the Sox have overcome them.

“I don’t know if you want to call it the next-man up mentality,’’ said Farrell, “but we’ve not skipped a beat and guys have begun to flourish, that are shouldering a bigger burden.’’