All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Pirates, complete with BSJ analysis and insight
HEADLINES
Hill comes through: Lefty Rich Hill hasn't been as sharp of late, allowing a total of eight runs in his last two starts, covering just seven innings, and when he fell behind 2-0 after just two hitters Wednesday night, it looked like another rough outing. But Hill found something and was nearly untouchable the rest of the way, retiring 15 of the final 16 hitters he faced. Hill spotted his fastball up in the zone well and got some chases up there, and used his trademark curveball to induce a lot of groundouts, with seven of his 15 outs coming on the ground. He may have only given the Sox five innings, but when he pitches like he did Wednesday, that's plenty good enough to satisfy the Sox.
Sox put together better at-bats: Even with a win in the series opener, Alex Cora wasn't happy with the quality of his team's at-bats, believing that Red Sox hitters weren't showing enough discipline. Things were far better Wednesday, with the lineup drawing seven walks and grinding through at-bats all night. The Sox took the lead for good in the second inning with three runs, and though they left 10 runners throughout the game, the offense didn't shut down early. The Sox added solo runs in the fifth and eighth, and just to make sure, produced three huge insurance runs in the top of the ninth. It was a balanced attack, too, with seven of the nine starters contributing at least one hit and the team's fourth and fifth hitters in the order -- Alex Verdugo and J.D. Martinez -- combining for five walks.
Eovaldi pushed back: The plan Wednesday had been for Hill to give the Sox four or five innings, to be followed by Josh Winckowski to provide another four or so in a piggyback role. But when Hill was lifted after five strong outings, the Sox mixed and matched, using three different relievers to close out the game. That was a sign that either Winckowski himself was hurt, or someone else was and he was being held back to fill in elsewhere. It proved to be the latter, as Cora revealed after the game that Nathan Eovaldi, who was set to pitch the Thursday series finale, is dealing with a sore trapezius muscle and would be skipped, set to return to the rotation next Tuesday against Toronto. Eovaldi said he began feeling some soreness in the area a day or two after his most recent start, and said he felt well enough to start Thursday. But he added that it was probably smart to be cautious, so as to not invite further trouble. Winckowski will pitch in his place Thursday night.
TURNING POINT
With the Red Sox ahead 4-2 in the eighth inning, they loaded the bases against Pittsburgh lefty reliever Eric Stout. With lefthanded catcher Reese McGuire, Cora went to his bench and summoned Rob Refsnyder to pinch-hit. Refsnyder was activated from the IL on Tuesday, having spent some time down with a knee injury. But Refsnyder executed an impressive at-bat, finally drawing a walk and forcing in a run which gave the Red Sox a three-run lead. They later added three more in the following inning, but at the time, Refsnyder's RBI was huge.
TWO UP
Ryan Brasier: Brasier seems to have peaked at the right time. His 1-2-3 inning Wednesday with three strikeouts was one of his best outings of the season, as he threw 11 of his 14 pitches for strikes. He's been perfect in three straight appearances now.
Christian Arroyo: Arroyo continued to mash, with a a three-hit night, lifting his batting average to .280 and his OPS to .757. He's hitting .390 since returning from the IL on July 30.
TWO DOWN
Tommy Pham: Pham's free-swinging approach at the top of the lineup -- he has just one walk since joining the Sox -- didn't work on this night as he took an 0-for-5.
Eric Hosmer: Another deadline acquisition had a rough night, too. Hosmer managed one hit in the ninth, but prior to that, was hitless in four trips while stranding eight baserunners. He also, uncharacteristically, made an error at first base.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Obviously, we know we're a little ways back but we're also right there, within striking distance. For us, it's just control what we can control, having good at-bats, pitch good, play good defense and hopefully we get getting some more series wins and by the end of the year, we're just looking for one spot open (in the playoff field).'' Alex Verdugo.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The Red Sox worked seven walks, their most in one game since June 26.
* The eight runs scored by the Sox were their most in 32 games. The last time they scored eight or more was July 10.
* The victory improved the Red Sox record against National League teams to 8-9.
* The Sox came from behind for the win, as they've done in nine of their last 14 victories.
* Boston's bullpen has allowed just five runs in the last 19.1 innings.
* Kevin Plawecki's two-run single in the ninth snapped an 0-for-12 slump for him.
UP NEXT: In the final game of the interleague series Thursday, the Red Sox will send RHP Josh Winckowski (5-5, 4.69) vs. RHP J.T. Brubaker (2-10, 4.45) at 7:05 p.m.