He had pitched the previous two games and three of the last four, so the Red Sox knew, even before Tuesday's game began, that they could only count on reliever John Schreiber for an out or two -- at the most.
"We knew that we had a little bit of Schreiber today,'' said Alex Cora.
Turns out, that's all they needed.
With the Red Sox ahead 5-3 heading into the top of the ninth and usual closer Tanner Houck unavailable, the Sox figured it might be a patch job. Matt Strahm began the inning by allowing a solo homer to Jonathan Schoop, cutting the lead to a single run. He then got two big outs.
But with two righties -- Javier Baez and Miguel Cabrera -- due, the Sox figured now was the time for Schreiber. He allowed a single just inside the first-base bag to Baez, but then retired Cabrera on a groundout to short to close out the game.
Schreiber leaped off the mound in celebration, showing only slightly less exuberance than Nick Pivetta often does. It wasn't because he had just closed out a game against the team that let him go on waivers in February of 2021. It wasn't because, as someone who grew up outside Detroit and worshipped Cabrera -- first as a fan, then briefly as a teammate.
Instead, it was about the adrenaline of the moment, and maybe if he's being honest, a little bit of disbelief. At 28, 16 months after being waived, Schreiber has now earned a spot in the Red Sox' circle of trust. In recent weeks, he has emerged as someone to whom Cora will turn to in almost any high-leverage situation. On Tuesday night, that included handling the role of closer du jour,
"We needed one out and he got it,'' said Cora. "I think he appreciates the fact that he's in the big leagues and contributing. It's been a different path to this and you start looking at numbers, and they're really good. Really good. When you can remember the (limited) damage, out of all the appearances -- it was a hanging slider to (Baltimore's Austin) Hays -- it means that he's been great.''
Indeed, the numbers are beyond "really good,'' and border on the unbelievable. Schreiber sports an ERA of 0.84 and a WHIP of 0.75. He's had 10 straight scoreless appearances and in his 21 outings, he's allowed an earned run just once -- the Baltimore game that Cora referenced. When he's coming in with runners on base, he's stranded all 10 inherited runners he's had.
The numbers are so good, so difficult to comprehend that Schreiber himself doesn't look at them -- perhaps out of fear that he might jinx himself and come crashing down to earth. For now, he's just enjoying the ride.
"We love him and the way he goes about things,'' said Cora. "He's in this situation because he put himself in this situation. It started with him. He changes his routine, he bought into the concept, he bought into the organization and now he's one of the guys that we rely on.''
Part of the appeal is that Schreiber throws from a low three-quarters delivery, making him tough to pick up, especially for right-handed hitters. He slings his fastball to the plate at 95-96 mph and is pitching with great confidence.
"It's a different look with stuff,''' said Cora. "And it's uncomfortable (for hitters) and there's not too many good swings (against him).''
The Sox liked what they saw in spring training, but couldn't find a roster spot for him initially. But by the end of April, there was a need, and Schreiber was promoted. In his first game, he carved up the middle of the Toronto Blue Jays order and hasn't looked back.
As the Red Sox' confidence in him has grown, Schreiber's own confidence has blossomed.
"I feel like I'm a different person out there,'' he said. "I feel like I belong now.''
It took a while, however. Schreiber is 28, and as Cora noted, he didn't take the traditional route to his current status as the second-most dependable reliever in the Red Sox bullpen.
He knows, from experience, that things can change in a hurry, and in recognition of that, tries to live in the moment.
"I know that throughout the course of the season there's always going to be ups and downs,'' he said. "Nobody can be perfect, so I try to not look too much into (my success). Like I said, I want to go about it, day-by-day. I try to go out there and do my job.''
Even when he's on fumes. Even when he's only got one out in him. And even when the one hitter that he has to get out is one day going to Cooperstown.