All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Indians, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Martinez breaks out of long slump: Coming into Saturday, J.D. Martinez was hitless over his last 20 at-bats and had just two hits in his last 25 at-bats. He changed that with a single in his first at-bat in the first, then added another single in the sixth. But he saved his biggest contribution for extra innings, belting an opposite-field three-run homer to right, spelling the difference in the Red Sox' defeat of the Indians. Martinez may have greatly benefited from getting Friday night off, allowing him to rest his body and perhaps, no so incidentally, to get a mental re-set. He returned to the lineup Saturday seemingly having figured some things out. If he can use his three hits as a springboard, the Red Sox will be that much more formidable offensively. "He's a huge threat at the plate,'' said Nathan Eovaldi. "He's been scuffling a bit but if you get him back swinging the way we all know he can, the way he was at the beginning of the season, we're going to be even more deadly.'' A hot streak would be particularly welcome now as both Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers aren't producing the way they usually do.
The lead called.
— Red Sox (@RedSox) August 28, 2021
J.D. answered. pic.twitter.com/uOXJSTnwDO
Bullpen pieces it together: With Matt Barnes out of the closer's spot temporarily, Alex Cora has to make it up as he goes along in the late innings and Saturday, it managed to work through there were some anxious moments. Following starter Nathan Eovaldi, who gave the Sox 5.1 innings, Cora cycled through seven different relievers. Hirokazu Sawamura had to work out of a bases-loaded mess in the seventh and survived. Garrett Richards, newly added to the high-leverage mix, inherited a baserunner at third with two out in the eighth and got the final out. Garrett Whitlock, who pitched both the ninth, added two punchouts and got credit for the win. Finally, for the three-out save, Cora turned to Martin Perez, who walked the first batter he faced before hitting the second. But Perez got a big strikeout before turning things over to Adam Ottavino, who notched his second save in as many days.
TURNING POINT
The seventh inning was particularly hairy for the Red Sox, as they shuttled one reliever after another trying to get to the finish line. Hirokazu Sawamura appeared to be on fumes and ended up loading the bases after an infield single, a walk and a two-out intentional walk. But Sawamura, after running the count full to DH Franmil Reyes, struck him out with a chest-high fastball, stranding three and keeping the game tied.
TWO UP
Nathan Eovaldi: The Sox got yet another strong outing from Eovaldi, who had somewhat of a rocky second inning (four hits allowed, two runs), but allowed just one other hit as he got the Sox into the sixth.
Kyle Schwarber: After a rare 0-for-4 the night before, Schwarber got back in the groove, with a solo homer in the first and singles in both the eighth and 10th.
ONE DOWN
Jarren Duran: The rookie got installed into the leadoff spot for the day, but it didn't go well as he went 0-for-5 and failed to get on base from the top of the lineup.
QUOTE OF NOTE
''It seemed like one of those days where he was locked in from the get-go.'' Alex Cora on J.D. Martinez.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox had two homers, making it six straight games with at least one homer.
* Red Sox starters have allowed just seven earned runs over the last three games -- all wins.
* The Sox improved to 6-1 in extra-inning games on the road.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox wrap up their three-game series with the Indians at 1:10 p.m. with RHP Tanner Houck (0-3, 3.43) vs. RHP Eli Morgan (2-6, 5.98).