All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 10-6 win over the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Benintendi returns with a bang: It's been a tough last 10 days for the outfielder, who was benched for a few days on the road trip and dropped down in the batting order while also battling what Alex Cora termed "heavy legs.'' While out of the lineup, Benintendi took some time to make some adjustments with hitting coach Tim Hyers and emerged Saturday like new, going 4-for-6 with two runs scored. In an encouraging sign, three of those hits were to left field and the ability to go the other way has always been part of Benintendi's successful approach. Benintendi said he spent the last few days "getting back to the little things and getting in the cage and taking a lot of swings. Just trying to simplify things and start over. The results today were alright, but it wasn't about results. It was about working on my swing.'' That looked improved, too.
Betts showing signs: Speaking of positive developments, Mookie Betts continues to hint that he's poised to break out, just as the first half of the season is coming to a close. Betts had six plate appearances and collected three hits with a walk. He also had a vicious line out to third. Betts is driving the ball again, and he's doing it early in games, which is something he did routinely last year, but not this one. He tripled to lead off the game Saturday, one night after doubling to start Friday's game. Both times, the Sox were ahead very quickly thanks to some productive infield groundouts which plated him. It's one thing for Betts to get on base, as he has done fairly well (.388 OBP) for most of the year. But when he provides extra-base pop from the top of the lineup, it gives the Red Sox lineup a whole other dimension and enables them to jump on teams quickly.
Porcello struggles once more: If Betts and Benintendi are trending in the right direction, the same can't be said for Rick Porcello. He was coming off one of the worst starts of his career, having been shelled by the Yankees in London and unable to get out of the first inning. He had six days of rest to recover, but that didn't do him much good Saturday. Porcello was gifted a 5-0 lead by the time he went out for the bottom of the second inning but couldn't make it hold up. He allowed two runs in the fourth inning, then after a quick 1-2-3 fifth, got back into more trouble in the sixth, allowing a solo homer and three more hits and requiring the Sox to go to the bullpen in the sixth in a game in which they once led by seven runs. In Porcello's last three starts, he's allowed 17 runs in just 12 innings of work. Clearly, he needs to make some big adjustments with his location when the second half resumes. It's one thing to allow six runs to the Yankees; it's quite another to give six up to the Tigers, who rank as the AL's worst offensive team.
TURNING POINT
The Tigers were making a lot of noise in the middle of the game, scoring four in the sixth before loading the bases in the seventh against Josh Taylor. But Matt Barnes, entering the game with two outs, needed just three pitches to strike out Gordon Beckham to end the threat and the inning and take away any momentum the Tigers had been building.
TWO UP
Brock Holt: Holt got a rare start at shortstop and while he was lifted for a pinch-hitter mid-game, was 2-for-2 while in the game.
Christian Vazquez: Vazquez has hit well enough for Cora to use him as the DH and Saturday night, he was slotted in as the No. 3 hitter for the first time this season, delivering two hits and knocking in two runs.
ONE DOWN
Jackie Bradley Jr.: Bradley continues to trend the wrong way at the plate, going 0-for-4 while also committing an error in the outfield for the second straight game.
QUOTE OF NOTE:
"It's not easy to play after waiting four hours, so to get the win was huge.'' — Benintendi.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- In the first inning of the last nine games. the Red Sox have scored 19 runs and batted .605.
- The Sox managed two triples in the first inning for the first time this season.
- Rafael Devers extended his hitting streak 10 games.