Rafael Devers is more like Rafael Devers than Red Sox enthusiasts enjoyed so much in Boston’s 13-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night.
Devers recorded his first three-hit game of the season, only the fourth time he achieved two or more hits in his 20-game campaign. Xander Bogaerts, for his part, was pleased to see him.
“He was an intelligent man. He was smart. I know I needed it. I was looking for them,” Bogaerts told reporters in a post-match video call. “Listen buddy, we only know all 60 games of the season. We check it so as not to put much pressure on ourselves, but it is clear that the child loves the game and works hard. Like I said, he was the guy who was owed the maximum for this and to get through. I hope it can happen.
“I said after the game, ‘Hey, pay attention here. Let’s move on from here. Come back with the same positivity Array and let’s do it.”
Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke was pleased to see Devers’ production on Tuesday.
“Devers, the first two batters were smart. The third, he hit the ball to the ground through his defenders, but the first two were smart,” Roenicke said as Devers blew the left field wall twice. “His balance was greater. He was older in time. And you might see it, even before it was successful, you might see that it was going to arrive on time. I hope this leads to smart things. And I hope you can leave for the time we have left.
Devers entered Tuesday with an Array183 batting average, RBIs and 0 home runs.
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Here are some additional notes from Tuesday’s game:
– Bogaerts still does not let his teammates through, despite their difficulties at the start of the season that led to a 6-18 record. He had an undeniable message for those in the clubhouse.
“Keep introducing yourself every day. Keep running,” the shorts pitcher said. «… I hope we can do that. It’s great to see the boys getting hit tonight. Lots of nudges from us. Obviously, Kevin Pillar, especially with the latter batting there, however, he deserved that shot. Obviously, the score is a little out of control, but the guys keep bringing smart players together.
“So we don’t give up. We’re not giving up. I just have to go back with the same positive mindset we had today.”
– Heath Hembree did not pass any duty in the fall of the bullpen, which began with a sixth seven-point inning.
Hembree on the mound when he allowed four runs and 4 hits, adding a three-run home run through Bryce Harper. He knows this on Tuesday, with the offense offering a two-point lead before the sixth, a night in which the bullpen needed to step forward. Unfortunately, that’s not the case.
“It’s hard, it’s hard now. I’m not in a position to win baseball games,” Hembree said. “Tonight we were there, we were given until the end of the game, we had an advantage and we started when I got here. I haven’t done my homework. A little far from us, away from me. A little bit got us out of the game. It’s hard to come back, especially when you’re depressed like that. Night after night, we just don’t do our homework on the pitching side. It’s something like us, guys, I mean, special conditions like tonight, we have to step up and prevent the last entries.”
– Roenicke released an update on injuries.
Jackie Bradley Jr. missed Tuesday’s game due to a right wrist injury, not left as thought in the past. He stays on a day-to-day basis, however, Roenicke expects him to be in the lineup on Wednesday opposite the Phillies.
J.D. Martinez left Tuesday’s game after feeling dizzy, which is believed to be due to dehydration. He’ll be fine on Wednesday, too.
Catcher Christian Vazquez missed Tuesday’s game due to a foot injury, but “much better today,” according to Roenicke, as could also be the case in Wednesday’s line-up.
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