All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Indians, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Arauz comes through: Jonathan Arauz wasn't expecting to play the hero. In fact, he wasn't expecting to play in the big leagues Friday night. But when the Red Sox suffered a COVID outbreak on their roster late Friday morning, with Kike Hernandez testing positive and Christian Arroyo identified as a close contact, the Sox needed bodies. Arauz and WooSox teammate Yairo Munoz were driven in a bus to Cleveland, and both inserted into the starting lineup. In the top of the eighth, Arauz came to the plate with instructions to get a bunt down to move two teammates over. He failed on his first two tries, and then, ran the count full. "At that point, I just said, 'OK, I'm just going to make sure I put a good swing on this and hit the ball hard somewhere,'' recounted Arauz. Did he ever, connecting on a pitch that he drove into the first few rows in right field, erasing a two-run deficit and giving the Sox their first lead of the night. It was only his second career homer in the big leagues, but highly memorable. "I don't think I'm going to forget this one,'' he said.
Ottavino takes the ninth: For the time being at least, the Red Sox aren't about to give the ball to Matt Barnes in save situations. Barnes has struggled mightily for the past month, and he works on the side to correct some issues, the Sox have to find other options to close. On Friday, it was Adam Ottavino's turn. This wasn't exactly new territory for Ottavino -- he'd already recorded eight saves before Friday night. But this wasn't going to be an easy one. The Sox led by just one, and the Indians had the middle of their lineup due. Ottavino, who has had control problems for much of the year, averaging more than five walks per nine innings, issued a pass to Franmil Reyes, the first batter he faced. After that, however, he locked it down, fanning the next two hitters before getting a game-ending groundout to short from Owen Miller. "We haven't defined any (roles),'' said Ottavino. "We're just trying to pick each other up. Anybody who gets the ball is the right guy for the job.''
TURNING POINT
Through the first seven innings, the Red Sox could do virtually nothing offensively, held in check by Cleveland starter Logan Allen. Bobby Dalbec cracked a two-out double in the second, and until the eighth, that was the only offense the Sox could muster. But then, the rally began. Christian Vazquez worked a leadoff walk against reliever James Karinchak and Jarren Duran followed with a single to left, giving the Sox just their second hit of the night. Meanwhile, the pieces were set in motion for the heroics from Arauz.
TWO UP
Garrett Richards: Richards seemed an odd choice for the high-leverage eighth, with a one-run lead, but Richards was dominant, retiring the Indians in order while striking out two.
Eduardo Rodriguez: Rodriguez gave up two homers, accounting for all three runs he allowed, but he powered through seven strong innings and gave the Sox length on a night when they were short in their bullpen.
ONE DOWN
Xander Bogaerts: The heart of the Red Sox order continues to struggle of late. The shortstop took an 0-for-4, striking out three times.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I don't want to say we needed this one, but it felt awesome to pull this one out.'' Alex Cora.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* With an 0-for-4 night at the plate, Xander Bogaerts saw his batting average dip below .300 for the first time since April.
* The home run for Arauz was the 29th three-run homer for the team this season.
* The 109 pitches thrown by Eduardo Rodriguez represented a season-high for the lefty.
* The win snapped a four-game road losing streak for the Red Sox.
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