All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' win over the Brewers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Two-out approach scores big: The final three runs in the ballgame for the Red Sox -- two in the sixth and another in the seventh -- all came after two were out. As importantly, all three runs scored as the result of walks. In the sixth, after Justin Turner and Masataka Yoshida had been retired, Kiké Hernández and Triston Casas worked walks, with each grinding out long, difficult at-bats. Run-scoring singles from pinch-hitter Rob Refsnyder and Jarren Duran then plated the two runs. It was more of the same in the seventh as Turner drew a walk after the first two outs were recorded, followed by a sharp, opposite-field double from Yoshida. Though they are third in the league in homers, the Sox aren't going to win by outslugging teams. Rather, they need to string together hits, and getting traffic on the bases from walks can help magnify the impact of those well--timed hits.
Pivetta provides solid start: Finally, the Red Sox are getting some consistency and depth from their starting pitchers. Pivetta came within an out of recording a quality start when he pitched into the sixth before being lifted. He allowed a solo run in the third and two in the fourth but didn't allow a walk until the final batter he faced on the night. Pivetta moved his fastball around, but mostly worked to the upper edge while throwing his curveball to the lower half. The combination kept the Brewers off balance. "I was really happy with how I competed in the strike zone,'' said Pivetta. "I was able to get back to what I needed to do (with my delivery), some simple things, just go out there and compete, knowing that I'm capable of doing what I need to do.''
TURNING POINT
The Red Sox were clinging to a one-run lead, 4-3, in the seventh inning, but that hardly felt secure. After Justin Turner worked a two-out walk, Masataka Yoshida drove a line double to the left-center gap, scoring Turner from first base and giving the Red Sox a huge insurance run. The last two days have seen Yoshida produce better at-bats, where he's back to hitting the ball hard the other way.
THREE UP
Kenley Jansen: As he picked up his fifth save in as many opportunities, Jansen didn't fool around -- he needed just 12 pitches to retire the Brewers in order in the ninth, with two strikeouts.
Alex Verdugo: He smacked a two-run homer to get the Sox on the board early and later added a double as he continues to set the tone at the top of the order.
Jarren Duran: In extending his hitting streak to six games, Duran continued to show how much he's improved at the plate. His hard liner off the glove of third baseman Oliver Miller, off a tough sidearming lefty, was his most impressive at-bat of the night.
TWO DOWN
Rafael Devers: A rare quiet night at the plate for Devers, who was 0-for-5, who was one of only two members of the starting lineup to fail to reach base.
Yu Chang: Chang had a sacrifice bunt early, but otherwise was 0-for-3, though he hit the ball hard in two of those at-bats.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"We like to move the line, that's the most important thing. Everything started with the walks -- that's part of the offense. Grind at-bats, create traffic and hopefully, good things happen.'' Alex Cora on the offensive attack.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* Noted Red Sox killer Rowdy Tellez struck again with a home run in the fourth, his 13th career homer against the Sox in 36 games.
* Kenley Jansen moved into seventh place by himself, breaking a tie with Craig Kimbrel with his 396th career save.
* The win was the first interleague victory of the season for the Red Sox, who earlier in the month with swept by the Pirates in their first three games vs. National League opponents.
* The Sox improved to 7-0 in games in which they lead after six innings.
* Kiké Hernández extended his hitting streak to eight games.
UP NEXT: The two teams play the middle game of the series Saturday night at 7:10 with RHP Garrett Whitlock (1-1, 4.50) vs. LHP Wade Miley (2-1, 1.50) as the pitching matchup.