ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Everything you need to know from the Red Sox’ 2-1 over the Rays in quickie form, with BSJ insight and analysis:
Box score
HEADLINES
STRONG STARTING PITCHING CONTINUES: The light-hitting Tampa Bay Rays aren't about to make anyone forget the 1927 (2018) Yankees with a lineup that lacks a legitimate power threat. Still, it's impressive that the Sox' starting rotation allowed just two runs in the four-game series. Getting scoreless outings from Chris Sale and David Price may not be shocking, or, for that matter, Rick Porcello, a season removed from a Cy Young award. But when Hector Velazquez gets you into the sixth inning and yields only one run, things are going right. "I think his fastball in the second half of his outing started to have some run and life up in the zone and was able to get them out,'' said Alex Cora. Velazquez threw strikes (58 of 79 pitches), walked just one and filled up the strike zone.
JOE KELLY MAKES GOOD ON HIS SECOND CHANCE: Following a disastrous outing in the opener (five batters faced, one hit allowed, three walks issued), Joe Kelly got the ball in the ninth inning and posted his first save of his career in his 100th career relief appearance. The ninth had its moments with two two-out singles giving the Rays runners at the corners, but Kelly fanned Denard Span with the potential tying run 90 feet away. Just getting the ball in the ninth with the game on the line was a show of faith from Cora. "That was awesome,'' said Kelly, "to come back and pitch in a close game. That was not me (Thursday).''
THE SOX WON THREE-OF-FOUR WITHOUT MUCH HELP FROM OFFENSE: The Sox scored just 10 runs in the four-game series, stranded 11 baserunners Sunday and were only 6-for-26 with runners in scoring position, yet still managed to win the final three games. As a team, they're hitting only .214, but strong pitching and defense have helped them out.
TURNING POINT/SECOND GUESS
While Kelly got the ball for the ninth and earned the save, it was pretty obvious that Cora saw the eighth -- with Matt Barnes on the mound -- as the toughest high-leverage spots in the game. Barnes, who had contributed scoreless innings both Thursday and Friday, got two huge outs in the middle of the Tampa lineup in the eighth, maintaining the one-run lead. He struck out Carlos Gomez, and after a walk to Brad Miller, came back to fan Matt Duffy. 'We had Barnes to get the high-leverage situation and the middle of their lineup,'' Cora said. "We had (rookie Bobby) Poyner (to face the lefty Kevin Kiermaier), and then it was Barnesy for the middle of their guys. Barnesy has been throwing the ball well for the last week and then it was on to Joe. But I felt that eighth inning was going to be very important to get us to the ninth.''
THREE UP
Hector Velazquez. He may only be a spot starter and isn't guaranteed much with Eduardo Rodriguez nearing a return to the rotation. But he gave the Sox everything they asked for by limiting the Rays to a run and carrying them into the sixth, protecting the bullpen.
Marcus Walden. At the age of 29, Walden made his major league debut and got four big outs -- the final out in the sixth and three more in the seventh. "I was nervous warming up, but once I got out there, I felt pretty good,'' said Walden. "I thought I threw the ball pretty good, especially for my debut. Being able to be considered a big leaguer now and have that debut, it's an honor.''
VIDEO: Marcus Walden looking like a 10 year vet in his Major League debut #RedSox pic.twitter.com/mKcd4eMYpn
— Red Sox on CLNS (@RedSoxCLNS) April 1, 2018
Rafael Devers with a RBI single gives the Red Sox the lead 2-1,
However, the ridiculousness on the bases continues as Holt is waved in on the play and is out by a 1,000,000 feet
And there was only 1 out at the time
And J.D. Martinez was coming up pic.twitter.com/RvBNqhqhT5
— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) April 1, 2018