All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox win over the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Bullpen shuts door after scare: When Hansel Robles retired the Rays' 3-4-5 hitters in order in the eighth, it seemed to set up a relatively easy ninth inning for Jake Diekman in the ninth. But the lefty, who had been so effective before Friday, had massive control issues, walking the first two hitters he faced, and eventually, walking the bases loaded. With Wander Franco at the plate and the tying run at third and the winning run at second, the Sox called on Matt Barnes to face Franco, who had twice homered earlier in the game. Barnes got Franco to hit a hot shot to the right side, which second baseman Trevor Story, moving to his left and sliding, gloved, then fired to first base for the final out, leaving the bases full.
Middle infield made three errors, but also, some huge plays: Together, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and second baseman Story combined to commit three errors. That, however, doesn't tell the whole story. Bogaerts saved at least one run with a miraculous leaping grab on a line drive by Yandy Diaz in the fifth inning. Story, meanwhile, turned in two highlight plays in the taut ninth inning alone. On the first, he made a diving stop of a ball before throwing to second with Bogaerts covering to get the first out of the inning when the Rays had two on and no out. The Sox failed to complete the double play by a step, but simply recording one out was huge in that moment. Then, with the game on the line, Story ranged way to his right, came up with the ball after a pop-up slide and getting Franco at first base. In that one half inning, Story played second base well enough to dispel any questions that may have existed about his ability to handle the new position.
Wacha solid once more: Facing the team for whom he pitched last season, Michael Wacha gave the Red Sox five strong innings, with the only two runs allowed coming on solo homers by Franco. No shame there. Otherwise, Wacha allowed just one other hit in his start. He's been impressive in all three of his outings, keeping the Red Sox in games. It's premature to make any final determination on the wisdom of signing him to a one-year $7 million deal, but a few weeks into the season, the early returns are encouraging. The Sox made a determination that the changes Wacha made to his pitch mix in the final two months signaled a turnaround, and he's done nothing to dissuade them of that evaluation through his first three starts, in which he's allowed three runs in 14.1 innings.
TURNING POINT
With the Sox leading 3-1 in the third, Kike Hernandez's single to left scored Bogaerts with the Sox' fourth run. That was big, since after that hit, the Red Sox didn't score another run the rest of the way and it proved to be the winning run as the Rays clawed back. In fact, after Jackie Bradley Jr. followed Hernandez's hit with a single of his own, the Red Sox managed just one more hit over the final six innings.
TWO UP
Kiké Hernandez: After a slump that lasted most of the week and resulted in him being dropped out of the leadoff spot, Hernandez supplied two hard-hit singles to left from the No. 5 spot in the order.
Hansel Robles: Once more, Robles was effective. He inherited a runner in scoring position with two out and Franco at the plate in the seventh and retired him on a flyout to left before setting down the Rays in order in the seventh.
TWO DOWN
Jake Diekman. Diekman had been one of the two best relievers on the staff in the first two weeks, but he had a nightmarish ninth inning, walking the first two batters he faced and eventually putting the tying run at third and the winning run at second before Matt Barnes bailed him out.
Travis Shaw: Serving as the DH for the night with J.D. Martinez still sidelined, Shaw was 0-for-4 and still doesn't have a hit in 14 at-bats this season.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"At least I made that one, and made up for a couple of other mistakes.'' Bogaerts, on his leaping grab to take a hit away from Diaz to end the fifth inning. Bogaerts was also charged with two errors.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Hansel Robles extended his scoreless streak to 20 straight appearances, dating back to last season.
* Jake Diekman had issued one walk in his first five appearances before Friday night, when he walked three in the ninth inning.
* Xander Bogaerts committed two errors, the first time he's had a multi-error game since Sept. 19, 2020.
* Alex Verdugo knocked in a run with a first inning single, giving him a team-high 10 RBI on the season.
* The save was the first for Matt Barnes since last Aug. 4
UP NEXT: In the middle game of the series, the Red Sox will send RHP Garrett Whitlock (1-0, 0.93) for his big league start out against TBD at 6:10 p.m.
