A 4-run 8th inning propelled the Red Sox to victory Saturday, to make the Red Sox 9-1 in their last 10 games.
Nick Pivetta struggled going just 3.2 innings allowing 2 runs off 4 hits, 4 walks and 3 strikeouts. But the Red Sox bullpen allowed just 2 runs in 5.1 innings of work playing a large role in the victory.
The Red Sox would grab 2 runs in the bottom half of the 3rd, off of two sacrifice flies. They would grab another run in the 6th from an RBI single off the bat of Kike Hernandez, but that would be all until the 8th for the Red Sox offensively.
Matt Andriese went 3 innings (5th, 6th, 7th), allowing an unearned run off 3 hits, no walks and 2 K’s. He’s held a 1.68 ERA so far this season in 9.2 innings of work. He’s been used in all sorts of relief situations this season for the Red Sox.
“I understand the role and how the team needs it, Andriese said. “Today was a perfect example of it. Pivetta working through until the fourth inning, I was mentally prepared right there just to keep the team in the ballgame. Eventually we were due for a breakout.”
He’s picked up a save, and also has had appearances where he’s gone several innings. Early in Spring he said he did not care what role he’d be playing on the team, and he’s been so versatile in his relief performances this season. He was a large part of the Red Sox 9-Game streak.
After Andriese tossed the 5th, 6th, and 7th, Adam Ottavino took over the 8th. Ottavino would toss a bold inning, holding Chicago down 1-2-3 striking out all three batters, two looking.
It would be the 8th inning that would open the game up for the Red Sox, as Marwin Gonzalez would start it off with a leadoff solo shot into right center, to break the tie and make it 4-3 Red Sox.
“I was just trying to have a good at-bat and get a good pitch to hit,” Gonzalez said. “Just trying to get on base for my teammates behind me and trying to create a rally. I was lucky enough to get a good pitch and hit it out of the ballpark. That wasn’t intentional. I was just trying to get on base.”
It would be Gonzalez’s first homer of the season.
“He gives you a quality at-bat,” Cora said. “Right now, he’s not hitting for average but you see his on-base percentage. He knows the strike zone. He knows when to get to a fastball. He’s into the game the whole time in the dugout talking to guys. In the short time he has been here, it has been amazing the way people gravitate toward him in that clubhouse. It’s fun to watch.”
Three runs would later follow, with a bases loaded walk from JD Martinez that would bring in a run, as well as a Xander Bogaerts ground-rule double to bring in the other two.
Matt Barnes would allow a run in the 9th, but secure the 7-4 win for the Red Sox for their 10th win of the season.
The Red Sox will take on the White Sox Sunday for a double-header, after Friday’s game was cancelled due to weather constraints.
Tanner Houck will be the 27th man and pitch Game 1 which is scheduled for 1:10 PM EST. Martin Perez will toss game 2 which is scheduled for 5:10 PM EST. Game 4 of the series will take place Monday morning at 11:10 PM EST, and Eovaldi will get the nod.