All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the A's, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Pivetta eating innings: Nick Pivetta had 100 pitches after eight innings, a bit too many for Alex Cora to think about sending him back out to try for his second complete game in a month. But the eight innings were more than enough for the Sox, allowing them to rest most of the bullpen. "Fastball command has been very good,'' said Cora. "He was struggling, but he kept working and this is really good. He's given us a chance to win games, and to go deep in games, which is more important.'' Indeed, Pivetta has given the Red Sox at least five innings in a career-high eight straight starts, including six or more innings in seven of those and seven or more innings in four of those. Especially with fellow starters Nate Eovaldi and Garrett Whitlock sidelined with injuries, those innings are even more welcome.
Martinez's power display continues: J.D. Martinez noted last week that his homers tend to come in bunches and he wasn't kidding. He hit one Friday in Seattle, ending a homer drought that had lasted 19 games. He then added another on Saturday and still another Monday, leading off the third inning. "I'm getting the ball in the air,'' said Martinez. "If you don't hit the ball in the air, it's hard to hit them, to try to drive the baseball. It's something I've been grinding on and I'm glad it's been paying off.'' Martinez explained that that requires flattening the barrel of his bat, "trying to keep it at the proper angle,'' to achieve launch and loft on the ball.''
Refsnyder continues to impress: There wasn't much that Rob Refnsyder didn't do Tuesday night. He reached base three times with three singles. He hit a sacrifice fly to account for the Sox' second run. And he also made a fine, leaping catch in deep center field to take extra bases away from Ramon Laureano in the sixth inning. He also scored a run and hit a ball himself to the triangle, which was snared for an out. The Sox chose him to add to the roster over Jarren Duran when Kike Hernandez went on the IL last week, and Refsnyder is making the most of his playing time. Cora said the Sox would have liked to found room on the roster at the start of the season, but were impressed with him in spring training and figured he'd contribute at some point. That time, apparently, is now.
TURNING POINT
Starter Nick Pivetta had allowed just two baserunners through the first four innings, and was armed with a 6-0 lead, making his task easier. In the fifth inning, he issued a two-out walk to Stephen Vogt, then a single to catcher Sean Murphy. That wasn't exactly a big threat, especially with the No. 9 hitter due next and a six-run cushion on the scoreboard. But before the A's could gain any further momentum, Pivetta got third baseman Jonah Bride to hit into an inning-ending force play and the A's never stirred again.
TWO UP
Rafael Devers: Devers only had one hit, but it was a monster shot -- a 439-foot homer, just to the right of the triangle in right-center, over the Red Sox bullpen, with two men on, doubling what had been a 3-0 lead.
Xander Bogaerts: In addition to some slick plays in the field, Bogaerts managed to reach base in all four of his plate appearances with two singles, a walk and a hit batsman.
TWO DOWN
Trevor Story: Story is struggling again. He came in with just four hits in his last 29 at-bats and hadn't homered in his previous 15 games, then took an 0-for-4 with a double play and two strikeouts.
Phillips Valdez: On principle, he lands on this list for walking the first batter he faced -- with a six-run lead in the ninth inning. Valdez is a good bet to be optioned to make room for Josh Winckowski, Wednesday's starter.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"It was what we needed. We were pretty banged up, bullpen-wise, and to go eight (innings) today, was really good for us.'' - Alex Cora on Nick Pivetta.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The win was the 10th in 12 games for the Red Sox, who improved to a season-high four games over .500
* The Sox are now 12-4 against left-handed starters.
* Boston has won the opening game in nine of their last 11 series.
* The Sox have eight homers in the last four games.
* Rafael Devers has homered in three straight games for the third time in his career.
* For the 16th time this season, Xander Bogaerts reached base three or more times.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and A's continue their series Wednesday night with RHP Josh Winckowski (0-1, 12.00) set to face RHP James Kaprielian (0-3, 5.73) at 7::10 p.m.