All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Crawford shows improvement: Kutter Crawford's second outing of the season was almost nothing like his first. After getting knocked around for seven earned runs against Pittsburgh last Monday night, Crawford turned things around in big way, giving the Sox five strong innings during which he allowed just one run. He also showed far better command, going from two walks in his 2023 debut to none on Sunday. The only run off Crawford came in the bottom of the first, and it was the result of some suspect defense rather than anything he did. Crawford may soon find himself as the odd man out in the rotation as Garrett Whitlock (and others) return, but an outing like this one is evidence that he can step into the rotation when need be. In the meantime, his next appearance is likely to come in a relief role.
Casas tees off on lefties: Triston Casas was out of the lineup twice recently when the Red Sox faced lefthanded starters, but given the opportunity to be in the lineup Sunday against southpaw Matthew Boyd, Casas took full advantage. He turned on a first-pitch fastball in the second inning and drilled a double into the right-field corner to score Kiké Hernandez all the way from first. Later, in his final at-bat of the afternoon, Casas connected again off a different lefty -- reliever Chasen Schreve, drilling a mammoth solo homer in the top of the ninth to provide some breathing room for the Sox. It's not a given that Casas is going to be in the lineup every time against a lefty, but given that the Sox are in the midst of a stretch where they're facing seven lefthanders in the span of eight games, his performance Sunday will no doubt earn him additional playing time in the coming days.
Duvall leaves with wrist injury: The afternoon was not without its ominous moments for the Red Sox. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Adam Duvall came racing in after a bloop fly ball off the bat of Spencer Torkelson. Duvall went sprawling to make the catch, but rolled his left wrist (glove hand) as the ball came loose. He winced as he flexed the wrist, but immediately came out of the game. Last summer, Duvall tore a tendon in the sheath of the same wrist and missed the remainder of the season. The hope, of course, is that the injury Sunday is nowhere near as serious. That's especially true given the great start that Duvall is off to at the plate, leading -- or tied for the lead -- in most major offensive categories through the first week and a half of the season. Duvall underwent x-rays after the game, with more information likely Monday.
TURNING POINT
After the Tigers nicked him for a run in the bottom of the first, Crawford went out and aggressively attacked the right zone and consistently got ahead of the Detroit hitters. He proceeded to retire nine of the next 10 hitters he faced over the next three innings, buying the Red Sox some time to get back into the game, which they did with single runs in the second and fifth innings.
TWO UP
Rob Refsnyder: As the team's leadoff man against lefthanded pitching, Refsnyder's job is to get on base, which he did with some frequency Sunday, drawing two walks and collecting a single.
Josh Winckowski: Winckowski has really taken well to his newfound bullpen role and it was interesting to note that Alex Cora trusted him in a high-leverage role with the Sox leading by two runs in the seventh. Winckowski turned in a quick 1-2-3 inning, needing just a dozen pitches to turn back the Tigers in order.
TWO DOWN
Christian Arroyo: The infielder's slow start continued with a hitless day at the plate as he went 0-for-4. He's just 5-for-28 out of the gate.
Kiké Hernandez: Although he had two walks and scored a run, he was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, and should have been charged with his sixth error of the season on another wild throw to first that was, instead, charitably ruled as an infield single.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Coming in here, we did exactly what we wanted to -- attack early in the zone, have aggressive approaches. They left a couple of mistakes over the plate and we were able to capitalize.'' - Triston Casas.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* The save was No. 393 for Kenley Jansen, leaving him just seven shy of becoming only the seventh pitcher in MLB history to reach 400 career save.
* The Red Sox homered in each of the three game in the series.
* After being held to just eight runs in the series sweep to Pittsburgh, the Red Sox managed 24 runs in the sweep in Detroit.
* Boston's rotation has compiled a 3.15 ERA the second time through after a 12.91 in its first turn.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox travel to Florida and begin a big four-game series against Tampa Bay Monday night at Tropicana Field. It will be RHP Nick Pivetta (0-0, 1.80) vs. LHP Josh Fleming (0-0, 15.00) at 6:40 p.m.