All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 6-3 win over the White Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Offensive improvement: Delivering hits with baserunners in scoring position has been a season-long issue for the Red Sox. In recent days, the Sox have had games in which they were 1-for-8 and 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. There was improvement in that regard Tuesday night as the Sox finished the night 4-for-12. And they were also able to counter whenever the White Sox scored. After Chicago went up 3-1 in the top of the third, the Sox wasted no time responding, scoring two runs of their own. The big hit was a two-run single to left by Christian Vazquez, scoring Rafael Devers and Xander Bogarts. "We needed that at-bat,'' said Alex Cora. "We needed that hit. It felt like, 'Here we go again.' But he put the ball in play and Andy (Barkett, interim third base coach) was very aggressive there with Xander. We had to take a chance there and we scored two. It felt good. We haven't done the job with men in scoring position, so for Christian to get that hit, it was a big hit for us.''
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1143685430833008640
Price bounces back: Over the last two starts, David Price had shortened outings. He was knocked around for six runs in an inning and a third in his last home start, then was lifted after just 73 pitches in Minnesota last week. But Tuesday, despite some early struggles in the second and third, Price gave the Sox six strong innings with improved velocity on his fastball and better location with all of his pitches as he fanned nine and walked none. "Coming off two shorter outings,'' said Price, "it was good to get the pitch count back up and be able to throw strikes and command the strike zone for the most part and use everything.'' The changeup was a particularly strong weapon for Price, as he used it bot to get ahead in the count and to get back into pitcher's counts when he fell behind.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1143726829502492673
Big night for Devers: After missing three games over the weekend, Rafael Devers returned to the lineup Monday, but really made his presence felt Tuesday. Situated in the No. 2 spot in the Red Sox lineup, he bashed out four hits -- including three doubles. "He's been having some great games,'' remarked Xander Bogaerts. "It was a huge hit to have him down. We all know how valuable he is to us. It's amazing to have him back and have him contributing the way he's been. He's hitting the ball so hard; it's like J.D. (Martinez) last year. It's pretty impressive to see. Lately, I've been hitting behind him. He swings at a lot of first pitches, but it's a lot of loud outs and a lot of loud hits.'' Devers used the whole field, too -- with a double and single to left and two doubles to center field.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1143722928560910336
TURNING POINT
In the top of the fifth, in a tie game, Leury Garcia singled and went to third as Tim Anderson was thrown out at second trying to stretch a single to center. But with a runner on third and one out, Price dug in and struck out both Jose Abreu and James McCann to strand Garcia at third. In the bottom of the inning, the Sox scored twice and went ahead to stay.
TWO UP
Xander Bogaerts: Bogaerts snapped a 3-3 tie when he belted a two-run homer into the Monster Seats in the fifth inning. He also scored a run in the third inning.
https://twitter.com/RedSox/status/1143693917172506624
The bullpen: The trio of Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Brandon Workman combined to each throw an inning of scoreless relief, with each pitcher striking out two batters.
ONE DOWN
Jackie Bradley Jr.: By some measures, Bradley has been the team's hottest hitter over the last month, but this was a quiet night with an 0-for-4 performance at the plate and six baserunners stranded.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The win was the fifth straight against the White Sox
- The Sox have three four-hit games this season and all three have come against the White Sox.
- The Sox improved to 10-3 in their last 13.
- Mookie Betts extended his on-base streak to 16 straight games.