The Boston Red Sox will have ace Garrett Crochet on the mound Sunday afternoon when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the visiting Miami Marlins.
Trevor Story’s ninth-inning single with the bases loaded handed Boston a 2-1 victory on Friday night. Story then hit a three-run home run in Boston’s 7-5 triumph Saturday. He had two hits in each game.
Story also extended his franchise record for consecutive stolen bases in a season by swiping his 22nd base in as many attempts during Saturday’s win. Story has 19 home runs this year, seven of which are three-run shots.
“It’s been a great season (for Story), let’s put it that way,” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “He had one bad month. He’s been very consistent in everything: running the bases, hitting the ball hard, driving in runs, playing great defense, leading the group. … Couldn’t be more proud.”
Crochet, a left-hander, is coming off his worst outing of the season. He gave up five runs (all earned) on seven hits in four innings of a 7-6 road loss to Houston on Monday. Crochet (13-5, 2.48 ERA) is 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA over 4 2/3 innings in two career appearances (one start) against Miami.
Righty Janson Junk (6-2, 4.06) is the Marlins’ scheduled starter. It will be his first career appearance against the Red Sox.
Boston had a 7-2 lead entering the ninth inning Saturday, but Miami scored three runs in its final at-bat and had the tying run at the plate.
“Great fight,” Miami manager Clayton McCullough said Saturday. “I’m not even going to say that it was an encouraging sign because that’s why these guys have shown throughout the entirety of the season is that they don’t give in. I appreciate that they’re going to fight in every at-bat until the last out is made. Great to see us finish the way we did, getting the tying run to the plate and having to get (Boston closer Aroldis Chapman) into the game.
“Disappointed that we weren’t able to come through with a win today, but very proud of how our guys on the mound and at the plate continued to play this one out. … To be able to finish the way we did was good for our club.”
Cora said because Chapman has pitched in back-to-back games, he will not be available Sunday.
“It’s not perfect,” Cora said. “(Chapman) came in, did his job (his 22nd save). And, hopefully, we can do it better the next time.
“We needed him there. We won the game. We won the series, and (Sunday) we got the big boy on the mound, so somebody else has to step up.”
Miami All-Star left fielder Kyle Stowers didn’t play Saturday after feeling tightness in his left side during Friday night’s game. McCullough said Stowers has a Grade 1 strain.
“He’s going to go on the (injured list),” McCullough said. “It’s going to be several weeks. Not sure of the full extent of the timeline, but it’s going to be an IL placement for Kyle.
“Injuries are an unfortunate part of our sport, and no one is going to feel sorry for us as we get going and moving along. We still have a very tough and resilient crew and a talented crew in there.”
Boston has won 16 of its last 18 home games.
–Field Level Media
