ATLANTA -- All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 5-1 victory over the Braves, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Porcello gives the Sox enough: The Red Sox were in desperate need of length from a starter after a stretch that has seen them average under four innings over the last two times through the rotation. Moreover, they had just two quality starts in the last 15 games. Thanks to a 32-pitch second inning, Rick Porcello couldn't go as deep as he might have liked. But after allowing a solo homer in that inning, Porcello buckled down and retired nine of the next 11 hitters after the second and at least got the Sox through five. "It was important not just (to provide) five innings, but five quality innings,'' Porcello said. "I think the pitch count running up (early) was the result of trying to stay out of the middle of the plate. We're not trying to pitch to contact; we're trying to get swing-and-misses and keep the ball in the ballpark. Every starting pitcher wants to go seven, eight innings and go deep in the game, but first and foremost, you're trying to prevent runs from scoring. If it takes more pitches that night, then that's what it takes.'' Porcello probably has four starts remaining and if he runs the table on his decisions, could be in line for another 20-win season.
Pearce proves his value again: With lefty Sean Newcomb going for the Braves, Steve Pearce was in the starting lineup at first base. He managed an infield single and a walk in his first two at-bats, but actually did more damage against the righties in the bullpen who followed Newcomb to the mound. He stroked a two-run single off righty Shane Carle, then drove in another run with a single in the sixth off righty Luke Jackson. "Whether it’s off a righthander or a lefthander, (in a) big situation in the game, it definitely feels great,'' said Pearce, "to contribute to help the team win. That's all I can do and I'm glad I could get it done.'' With expanded rosters, Alex Cora had plenty of lefty options on the bench to hit for Peace. "It's in the back of your mind,'' he acknowledged. "But you can't really think about it. You have to approach it like you're going to hit.'' Pearce plays irregularly, with Mitch Moreland getting the majority of the starts at first, so Pearce does his best to remain ready. "I try to keep it simple as possible (when I get in there),'' he explained. "Don't try to do too much. And if you don't get it done in one at-bat, someone else will pick you up.''
Porcello does it with the bat, too: As if five innings of two-hit ball weren't enough, Porcello, as has become his custom in NL road games, contributed at the plate. In Washington D.C. in July, he hit a big double off Max Scherzer. Last month in Philadelphia, he doubled again. And Tuesday night, he had a sharp single to right. In so doing, he became just the fifth AL pitcher in the DH era to collect a hit in three different games in one season. "It's definitely fun,'' said a smiling Porcello. "I got lucky again. You enjoy until you're out there running the bases and you realize you still have a ballgame you have to pitch and you have to keep your legs underneath you because, obviously, we're not used to that in the American League. But it's fun. It's always nice to get a knock.''
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1037174548615983106
TURNING POINT
After the Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth inning, they got another chance -- this time with one out -- in the very next inning and cashed in. A bases-loaded walk by Xander Bogaerts got one run home and a single by Pearce brought in two more. Up 3-1, the Sox never looked back.
TWO UP
Xander Bogaerts: Hitting cleanup again, he reached base three times with a double in third, a bases-loaded walk in the fifth and another walk in the sixth.
Red Sox bullpen: Four pitchers picked up where Porcello left off, combining to toss four shutout innings with only two hits allowed between them.
ONE DOWN
Sandy Leon: Leon's struggles at the plate continued with an 0-for-5, two-strikeout night, dropping his average to .191 for the season.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"People are going to go wild (Wednesday), fantasy owners and all that Sorry to them ahead of time. It's going to be an interesting lineup. It's going to be a good one, but tune in.''
— Cora, bracing fans for a different look with a quick turnaround and noon-time game Wednesday.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Red Sox improved to 12-3 in interleague play this year and are 24-4 in their last 28 games. They haven't lost an interleague series in their last 12.
- This marks the 11th time the Red Sox have won at least 96 games.
- The Sox have won Porcello's last 13 interleague starts, the longest run of teams wins by any pitcher since interleague play began.
- The Sox drew nine walks, the fourth time they've had at least that many this season.