All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Indians, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Sox get the big hits when they need them: For a while, it seems as if Rafael Devers was going to be the hero. The third baseman slammed a three-run homer to left-center to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the eighth and it looked like that would be more than enough. But in the ninth, Adam Ottavino struggled, allowing one run, then, one strike away from closing the game out, allowed a two-run pinch-hit homer to Franmil Reyes, tying the game. That forced the Sox to have to win it all over again -- which they did, in the bottom of the ninth. With an infield single and two walks, the Indians wanted the left-on-left matchup of Alex Young vs. Alex Verdugo. On a 1-and-2 pitch, Verdugo made that backfire when he drove a single over right fielder Daniel Johnson's head for his second walk-off hit of the season.
Change in play: With so many players sidelined and a couple of inexperienced hitters bunched together at the bottom of the Boston batting order, the Red Sox have turned to small ball in recent days. On Saturday alone, they had three sacrifice bunts from the last two spots in the batting order. Manager Alex Cora is searching for ways to win without so many key players (Xander Bogaerts, Kike Hernandez) available to him. "We know we're going to get our guys back at some point, but they're not here,'' said Cora. "We're trusting these guys. It feels like, as far as managing, we can do all this stuff that is a lot different than what we've done for a while. Instead of just sitting back and letting the boys do their thing, we have to put pressure on the defense and maximize the top of the order. I think we've bunted five or six times the last few days and that's part of who we are right now.''
Houck brilliant over five: He didn't figure in the win, but Tanner Houck provided five shutout innings for the Sox, helping to set the tone for the rest of the way. He allowed just three hits and didn't issue a walk while fanning eight. The Sox are still careful about overexposing him and lifted him after just 68 pitches because they don't want him facing the lineup a third time through. If that's frustrating to Houck, he hasn't demonstrated that and continues to attack opposing hitters with a three-pitch mix and an aggressive game plan while here's on the mound.
TURNING POINT
Before the late-inning heroics, the Red Sox had to navigate through a very tough sixth inning. In a scoreless game at the time, Austin Davis allowed a leadoff double before getting two infield outs. The Sox then elected to walk Jose Ramirez intentionally and a walk to Bobby Bradley filled the bases. In came Hansel Robles, who got Harold Ramirez to hit a wicked shot back to the box. The ball struck Robles and caromed directly to first baseman Bobby Dalbec, who scooped it up and ran to the bag to record the third out of the inning, stranding three.
TWO UP
Phillips Valdez: He was the bullpen bridge between the high-wire act of Austin Davis and Hanser Robles and closer Adam Ottavino, retiring all six hitters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings.
Kyle Schwarber: The new leadoff man continues to do what's needed at the top, getting on base with a double and a walk.
ONE DOWN
Adam Ottavino: Ottavino has been one of the most dependable relievers all season long, but he picked the wrong time to allow his first homer of the season -- with two outs and two strikes in the top of the ninth with a two-run lead.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"For me, I took it personal and it helped me lock in a little extra.'' Alex Verdugo, after the Indians walked J.D. Martinez to get to him in the bottom of the ninth
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The win was the sixth walkoff victory of the year for the Red Sox
* The Red Sox are now 4-0-1 in their last five series.
* The home run by Rafael Devers was his 33rd, setting a new career high.
* Tanner Houck has a 2.97 ERA since the All-Star break.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Indians conclude the series and meet for the final team this season at 1:10 p.m. with RHP Nick Pivetta (9-7, 4.67) vs. RHP Zach Plesac (9-4, 4.49)