All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 7-0 win over the Indians, complete with BSJ analysis and insight
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Swihart makes the most of an opportunity: Blake Swihart did a lot of sitting around in the first two months, waiting for a chance to play. Those seldom came. But in recent months, he's been utilized more often and has taken advantage of the chances. On Thursday, he wasn't in the starting lineup, but found himself thrust into action in the bottom of the first when Mitch Moreland (knee) came out for a pinch-runner. Swihart took over and later delivered a big two-run double in the six-run fifth, then added a single in the sixth. He also made a number of nice plays at first, scooping balls in the dirt with aplomb. "That's just me, always being ready,'' shrugged Swihart. "That's kind of been my role this year, always being ready and prepared for whatever happens. That was kind of my role going into this year. I'm always ready. I get my practice in before every game and make sure my body's ready for whatever happens.'' That shows in the numbers: Since June 26, Swihart is hitting .321 (18-for-56) with five doubles, a homer and six RBI in 23 games. During that stretch, he's boosted his average from .149 to 223.
Sox battle back for a series split: When the Sox dropped the first two games of the series, it stretched their losing streak to a season-high three games and invited criticism -- again -- that the Sox can't beat quality playoff-caliber teams. But just as they had done in Houston after dropping the first two games of a four-game series back in late May, the Sox stormed back and won the next two to get themselves a split. "It's always good to not lose a series,'' said Alex Cora. "We were one swing away (from winning) game one and it didn't happen. Game two, we got beat and then we came back.'' For the record, here is the Sox' record against the teams seemingly headed for the post-season: (New York, Cleveland, Houston, Oakland): 14-13.
Moreland exits after an inning: Mitch Moreland has been battling a surgically-repaired left knee for much of the season and things didn't get any better in the first inning when Moreland, chasing a foul, banged the knee into the protective railing in front of the Red Sox dugout. He remained in the game and reached on a bloop single to left which Cleveland outfielder Melky Cabrera lost in the sun. But when Moreland reached first, he was lifted for Swihart. After the game, Cora said Moreland had suffered a contusion of the knee and would likely need a couple of days to recover. The Sox had already planned to give Steve Pearce a start at first Friday in Tampa Bay with lefty Jalen Beeks expected to pitch multiple innings in relief, so the Sox are covered for the next few. It will bear watching, however, since Moreland's knee issues have certainly impacted him at the plate in the second half.
TURNING POINT
In a scoreless game in the fifth, Sandy Leon, who was just 4-for-31 on the homestand, sliced a ground-rule double to right to kick off what turned out to be a six-run inning and would include three more doubles from teammates, each of which drove in two runs.
TWO UP
Xander Bogaerts: A night after blasting two homers and knocking in two, Bogaerts had two more RBI on a double -- his 38th of the season, a team-high.
J.D. Martinez: He reached base three times (two walks and a single), scored a run and knocked in another.
ONE DOWN
Tyler Thornburg: The Red Sox keep hoping for Thornburg to turn the corner, and he keeps having inconsistent outings. He entered for a mop-up inning in the ninth, then promptly gave up hits to the first two batters he faced before getting a double play and flyout to get out of the inning.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"By far, absolutely. To not have that really bad game mixed in at some point, that's good. This is the pitcher Boston signed. To get back to that (level), it's about time.''
— David Price, asked if this current stretch is his best in a Red Sox uniform.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Red Sox won their 90th game; no other team in baseball has won 80.
- The shutout was the 13th of the season for the Red Sox pitching staff.
- The Sox are 30-5 in Sandy Leon's last 35 starts.
- Xander Bogaerts has eight RBI in his last four games.
- Eduardo Nunez is hitting .333 with RISP this year.