The Red Sox Sunday, September 17, 2017

* The Boston Globe

Rick Porcello’s strong outing boosts Red Sox over Rays

Peter Abraham

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Porcello has the most losses in the major leagues and the most for a Red Sox in more than 50 years. With no more than three starts left in his season, there’s nothing Porcello can do to change that story.

After winning the Award last season, Porcello is proof of how quickly everything can fall apart for a pitcher.

But what Porcello can still do is help drive the Sox into the postseason.

The righthander was there when the Sox needed him on Saturday night, pitching into the eighth as the Sox beat the , 3-1.

The Yankees won, so the Sox remain three games up in the East. But every day that goes by without losing ground brings the Sox to the division title.

“We don’t care about them,” left fielder said. “We’re just focused on yourselves because that’s all we can do. If we go and play the right way, it doesn’t really matter.”

Porcello (10-17) pitched one of his best games of the season. He allowed one unearned on five hits over 7⅓ and struck out three with one walk.

It was a game that mirrored last season in that Porcello worked quickly and confidently with his , both the two-seam and four-seamer that rides higher.

“He led the way tonight,” John Farrell said. “He had great tempo and attacked the . To get into the eighth as he did, just a great job.”

In what was his sixth start against Tampa Bay this season — and the second in seven days — Porcello drew on his experience.

“I’ve pitched against them a lot; we’ve played them a lot. We know they’re an aggressive team,” he said. “We know that they’re looking for pitches from one all the way through the .

“We decided to expand the [strike] zone and use that to our advantage. We had good momentum going. The pace of the game was nice.”

Porcello is competing for a spot in the postseason rotation and is slowly building a case. He has a 3.76 since July 3 and could earn a chance to pitch in a Division game.

“We know that we’re in these final couple of weeks with something very real and tangible within our reach,” Farrell said. “Guys are putting it on the line every night. That’s the goal; that’s the driver. They all have to go out and pitch well, and tonight was a really good start by Rick.”

The first five innings took 87 minutes, a relief after Friday night’s 15-inning marathon.

The Sox got started in the second inning when homered deep to left field off .

It stayed that way for a while as Cobb had retired 12 of 14 going into the sixth inning. Christian Vazquez, hitting second for the first time in his career, led off with a .

When Benintendi grounded to second, Vazquez was forced at second base. But the action was just starting.

Benintendi moved up on a . He then took a big lead off the second base, forcing Cobb pay attention. Benintendi retreated, then took off for third when Cobb turned back around.

“I was able to time him up and take a chance,” Benintendi said.

The aggressive move paid off when Betts punched a single into left field with the in and Benintendi scored.

Benintendi has made 11 outs on the bases this season, and his name inevitably comes up when the Sox are criticized for what can seem like reckless play.

He enjoyed the opportunity to clap back at that.

“I’ve definitely heard everything from being thrown out on the bases, being overaggressive and things like that,” Benintendi said. “But that’s what we’ve been doing the whole year, starting in .

“It’s part of the game. If I get thrown out at third there, it’s probably a story. I’m just trying to be aggressive and make plays.”

Facing lefthander , lefthanded-hitting doubled to left field to drive in Betts.

With a 3-0 lead, Porcello had the luxury of challenging hitters. He retired the side in order on nine pitches in the sixth inning and on 11 in the seventh. He had a four- to that point on 82 pitches.

Angel Hechavarria led off the eighth inning with a . No. 9 hitter Mallex Smith then walked with one out, and Hechavarria went to third on a .

Farrell was quick out of the to bring in Addison Reed.

Kevin Kiermaier grounded sharply to first base and Moreland stepped on the bag. He should have held the ball, but instead fired to second hoping for a .

The ball hit Smith in the back and rolled away, and Hechavarria scored. Reed, unruffled, struck out Steven Souza Jr. to end the inning.

Craig Kimbrel finished off the Rays for his 33rd , striking out two. He has struck out 119 in 63 innings.

Eduardo Rodriguez starts for the Sox on Sunday afternoon against .

Blake Swihart happy to get into swing of things

Peter Abraham

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox used 24 players in Friday night’s 15-inning victory against Tampa Bay. It’s fair to say had the most fun.

The was ebullient following a 13-6 victory if only because he finally was able to contribute. He caught the final seven innings and was 1 for 4 at the plate.

Swihart was recalled on Sept. 1 but until Friday had appeared in only one game, as a pinch hitter on Sept. 3.

“That was great. I was ready when my name was called,” said Swihart, who came into the game as a pinch runner in the top of the ninth inning for Sandy Leon. “I hadn’t played in a few weeks so even 90 [miles per hour] was looking pretty fast to me. But I felt awesome.”

Sox allowed one run on four hits with three walks and 10 with Swihart behind the plate. He had not caught since Aug. 29

“With each inning that he did , you could see some added comfort,” manager John Farrell said. “He hasn’t caught in a few weeks and all of a sudden jump in the game in the ninth inning and here’s . Not an easy task to undertake.”

Swihart had worked with all of the pitchers before, except for Addison Reed. That made it easier.

“He did a very good job,” Farrell said. “From the game-calling to the receiving and the blocking, it was pivotal at that point of the game . . . that was a much-needed contribution.”

Said Swihart: “I’ve been catching in the and making sure I knew what the pitchers were doing. I felt great about what I was able to do. Great win for the team.”

Swihart’s performance gives the Sox more comfort to use Christian Vazquez as the when Leon catches.

“Maybe this gives us an opportunity to be more flexible with the lineup,” Farrell said.

Swihart played only 62 minor league games this season because of issues with his surgically repaired left ankle. The Sox are planning to develop him as a utility player over the winter and into spring training.

As part of that transition, Swihart was on the field early on Saturday taking ground balls at third base from infield .

Nunez getting closer Eduardo Nunez missed his sixth consecutive game with a sore right knee. But he had another on-field workout before the game.

“There’s no timetable for his return,” Farrell said. “But, still, to see what he’s able to endure is all very encouraging.

Nunez took swings in the cage with a brace on his knee before throwing on the field and taking ground balls. Nunez will likely not be allowed to play until he goes through some drills.

Hanley Ramirez was out again with left bicep inflammation. He is day to day after receiving an MRI on Friday.

Tip of the cap Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier made one of the season’s best catches in the ninth inning on Friday.

With runners on first and second, Jackie Bradley Jr. sent a pitch to the gap in left. Kiermaier, at a full sprint, made a diving grab as he tumbled to the .

“I was mad at the moment. But you definitely have to respect that play,” said Bradley, who stole a hit away from Kiermaier at Fenway Park on Sept. 8. “A tremendous play from a tremendous player. An unbelievable catch.”

Rajai Davis, who was at second base, was halfway down the line and was able to get back and tag to go to third. He then scored the tying run.

Long day Dustin Pedroia was 0 for 9 on Friday despite putting the ball in play seven times. His batting average fell from .314 to .306. Pedroia did score a run after reaching on in the 15th inning.

Pedroia had the first 0 for 9 in the majors since Atlanta’s Martin Prado in 2011 and the first for the Red Sox since Trot Nixon in 2006.

It could be worse. Charlie Pick was 0 for 11 for the Boston Braves in a 26-inning game against the Brooklyn Robins on May 1, 1920, at Braves Field.

They had Drive Single A Greenville won the South Atlantic League championship on Friday night with a 9-3 victory against Kannapolis. It was the first league title in franchise history.

In a 3-3 game, the Drive scored five runs in the sixth inning. Brett Netzer’s three-run double made it 8-3. Netzer, a third-round draft pick in June, was 12 for 28 with eight RBIs in the postseason.

Hunter Smith worked 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief for the win. It was the first league championship for Greenville manager Darren Fenster.

Price getting closer would be available in relief on Sunday but the Sox would prefer to wait until Monday to give him four full days off since his three-inning simulated game on Wednesday . . . Some numbers from Friday night: the Sox had 21 hits and their pitchers struck out 24, a franchise record. The teams combined to use 21 pitchers and 31 position players. There were 541 pitches thrown . . . struck out nine in his 5⅔ innings on Saturday. His 287 strikeouts this season are third in franchise history. Pedro Martinez had 313 in 1999 and 291 in 1988. The last major leaguer with 300 was of the Dodgers in 2015. He had 301. Before that, you have to go back to (334) and (316) with Arizona in 2002. The last American League pitcher to do it was Martinez . . . Through Friday, the Sox have played 55 this season, the most in the majors.

Chris Sale needs a reboot to return to ace form

Nick Cafardo

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Gutsy, confident, accountable, competitive, talented, successful, dominant, and a leader.

All of the things you want in your resident ace pitcher.

Chris Sale has them all.

But should we be worried? He’s gone from surefire winner and possible MVP, to trailing for Cy Young and likely out of any MVP conversation. He’s faded from Aug. 1, there’s no other way to put it. It’s not horribly faded, but it’s enough of a fade in which there might be some concern about Sale’s dream of winning his first playoff game — whether it be against nemesis Cleveland or Houston — and whether he can get the Red Sox on solid footing in the playoffs.

Without that pre-August Sale, you wonder how much hope there might be for the Red Sox to go deep into the playoffs.

For sure, he needs a second wind, a restart. He has pitched a lot of innings, struck out a lot of batters, thrown a lot of pitches. When you accumulate numbers as he has, fatigue happens.

Even though Sale has had some extra rest with offdays, it’s hard to give him real rest. The Red Sox are three games up with 14 to play after Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Rays. There’s no room, no space for rest. The Yankees are tagging behind and it appears they won’t go away. They won’t let Boston rest. While Sale is fading, Luis Severino is excelling. It’s all about peaking at the right time and perhaps Sale will peak again when it’s needed most.

Red Sox manager John Farrell thinks Sale’s post-August struggles have been the result of his workload catching up to him. But he doesn’t believe it’s anything severe enough that Sale can’t overcome it. Sale has thrown 201⅓ innings, has struck out 287 batters, and has a WHIP of 0.94 to go along with his 16-7 record.

He’s also thrown 3,225 pitches, the most in baseball (two more than ).

What’s happened lately?

“At times the gets a little more flat, or a mislocated fastball. [Friday] night he was trying to throw away from [Wilson] Ramos and it winds up pulling in. And it cost him. So when you start to look at those things the thing that emerges is how is the consistency of the command,” said Farrell, who links these mislocations with workload.

“I’m not worried about it,” Farrell continued. “I’m also realistic that pitchers at this time of the year start to build 200-plus innings and number of pitches thrown, you have to look at today and see how today is unfolding.”

Some wonder if Sale’s body type might make him susceptible to fatigue, but that never seemed to be the case with Randy Johnson, who was taller than Sale and just as lean.

“Sometimes you can fall into stereotypes and body types,” said Farrell. “You break that mold when you see the players we have on the field. We’re not like some teams where the height and weight is 6-2, 225. We’re under 5-10. Look at Randy Johnson. You don’t have to be a certain size to compete.”

Could Farrell have done anything else to give Sale more rest or avoided this fatigue?

“If you look at the number of pitches thrown, he was going seven to eight innings, 110 pitches. Every time when we had a day of rest built in, we did. We took every measure to give him rest,” Farrell said.

Covering Roger Clemens for 13 years of his Red Sox career, I remember what happened to him at this time of the year. We’re talking about a guy who would throw 260-270 innings, throw 120-130 or more pitches at times in a game. He was a horse, but by the time the postseason came around, there wasn’t much left. Any success he had was on pure adrenaline.

This happened in 1986, 1988, and 1990. Clemens didn’t pitch badly in his starts, but he was often ordinary. When Sale gives up four runs to the Rays and goes six innings, that’s not horrible, but it’s also not Sale. It’s not ace-like.

Nobody has to remind him of this. He knows it deep down. He knows he needs to be dominant, shut down the opposition, give them nothing for as long as he can. He knows he needs to be the guy to take the stress off the bullpen, set the tone not only for the pitching staff, but for the entire team.

That’s why he’s ace material. He’s never won a Cy Young, but he’s always high in the voting, and at age 28 he’s already been a six-time All-Star.

Sale said Friday night after the Red Sox had beaten the Rays, 13-6, in 15 innings that he has to stop giving up home runs. He knows that is unacceptable for the ace of the staff, just as Clemens knew it.

Clemens allowed seven earned runs in 7⅓ innings in his first postseason game against the Angels in the 1986 ALCS after his incredible Cy Young/MVP season. But he won Games 4 and 7 with two very good efforts.

Remember the Clemens/Terry Cooney incident in the 1990 playoffs, which got Clemens ejected? Clemens knew that day he had nothing left, and that ejection wasn’t necessarily a bad thing because he wouldn’t have won the game anyway. Clemens was 0-3 against the A’s in the playoffs with the Red Sox and Yankees. Overall, Clemens smoothed out to a 12-8 record and a 3.75 ERA in 35 postseason games.

The great ones eventually figure things out, and Clemens certainly did. He got stronger in the postseason as he got older.

The skeptics might say it was because of steroids, but whatever it was, Clemens was more effective.

We know of Sale’s struggles against the Indians. Combine that with his late-season wear and tear, and there is an element of concern.

It would be a shame to have had this outstanding season, and then not be able to have something left for the playoffs. Sale might have to use every drop of adrenaline when the time comes.

If you’re the Red Sox, do you want the Indians or Astros in the playoffs?

Nick Cafardo

It’s the classic pick your poison. If you’re the Red Sox, do you want to play the Indians or Astros in the divisional round of the playoffs?

Much has been written about the amazing winning streak by the Indians, and they do look ferocious. After all, they were the team that swept the Red Sox in last year’s Division Series even without its Nos. 2 and 3 starters, Danny Salazar and Carlos Carrasco. They’ve amassed their winning streak without (who was activated Thursday), , and Michael Brantley.

The Indians’ ace, Corey Kluber, has overtaken Chris Sale as the likely American League Cy Young winner. Since June 1, Kluber’s ERA is 1.77, while Sale’s is 2.75 (entering Friday).

We know of Sale’s shortcomings against the Indians, allowing 13 earned runs in his last eight innings, and sporting a losing record (5-8, 4.78 ERA) vs. the Indians over his career.

Kluber on the other hand, has handled the Sox well. He shut them out over seven innings in Game 2 of the ALDS last season, and he has dominated them this season, as well. Scouts who have watched the possible playoff matchups see the Red Sox coming out stronger than you would think.

“When you look at the Red Sox, I think Houston is a team they would handle because they don’t have the pitching that the Indians do, and I think the Red Sox have better pitching than Houston,” said one American League GM.

“The Indians are the best pitching team in our league. Even when you match up Kluber against Sale, Kluber comes out on top. The Indians’ bullpen is better than Boston’s or Houston’s. The Indians are just superior right now. That could change.”

Once the Indians’ streak ends, will they have that period of mental and physical exhaustion? Could it be the Indians peaked too soon?

From Aug. 1 (a loss to the Red Sox) to Aug. 23 (another loss to the Red Sox), the Indians went 12-9 with 3.48 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Over the next 21 games, the Indians went 21-0 with a 1.57 and 0.93 WHIP. From Aug. 1-23, the Indians hit .216 (the lowest team batting average in the majors) with 30 home runs. Over the next 21 games, they hit .305 (the highest team batting average in the majors) with 41 homers (the most in the majors).

The Astros certainly have had their ups and downs, but they’ve been so far ahead in their division it hasn’t mattered. They added Justin Verlander to their rotation, a wise move considering they had no. 1 type given that missed six weeks and is now suffering from arm fatigue.

The Astros’ offense has been superb all season, capable of striking with big home runs. They may possess the league MVP in second baseman Jose Altuve, and they have a tremendous young shortstop in Carlos Correa, as well as a terrific center fielder and leadoff man in George Springer. It’s a tough 1- 9.

The Red Sox played the Astros in June and took two out of three. The Sox and Astros could face each other for nine straight games. Not only the final four games of the regular season at Fenway, but also a five-game Division Series, which would likely start in Houston.

The Red Sox would certainly have the advantage at Fenway, but home field may not be as big a factor for the Astros, who entered Friday having scored 442 runs in 74 road games and 353 runs in 72 home games. On the other hand, the Astros have a 3.77 ERA at home, and 4.79 on the road.

“Sale is better than Verlander, so the Red Sox win that matchup,” said an AL scout. “Verlander has pitched a couple of good games vs. Boston this year, but for the most part the Red Sox won’t be afraid of him.”

And let’s not forget the Yankees, the wild-card team nobody wants to face. Who knows what will happen in a winner-take-all game, but if they get past it they would be a worthy challenger for any of the division winners. The Yankees, however, were 2-5 against both Cleveland and Houston.

That /Gary Sanchez combination is dynamic. Luis Severino and Masahiro Tanaka can also wreck your night, and CC Sabathia probably has more in him.

WINNING IS CONTAGIOUS

Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is someone who knows a lot about winning streaks. He was the Rockies’ manager when they won 14 of their last 15 regular-season games in 2007, and carried it over to 21 of 22 heading into the against the Red Sox. The Rockies made it as a wild card, then swept the Phillies and Diamondbacks to reach the World Series. That’s when their Cinderella run ended, as they were swept by the Red Sox.

“The biggest challenge we had was an eight-day layoff after we’d won the first two rounds,” Hurdle said. “That took a lot of adrenaline away from us. You can’t re-create energy, and the fact we had eight days off, we were not able to overcome that. We couldn’t reignite. We were playing a veteran team in the Red Sox that were hot and was better than us at the time we played them.

“And we did everything we could. We played simulated games, brought in stadium noise, had aggressive workouts, different types of contests where we’d go over plays. We did things to replicate timing.”

The Rockies had players such as Matt Holliday, Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Garrett Atkins, and Brad Hawpe. Big run producers. While the Rockies peaked at the right time, could the Indians be peaking too soon?

“That’s what negative people come up with,” Hurdle said. “It makes me laugh to think that’s where we go. Who knows? This guarantees you nothing, as [the Indians] know going forward. I refuse to get into that. I’ve never been a proponent of that. There are other people who will do that for them, but I’m not going to be one of them.”

Hurdle said he can relate to what the Indians are feeling.

“If you haven’t experienced it, you really don’t know what it’s like,” he said.

Can a streak like that be exhausting?

“I don’t think exhausting was a term that ever came up,” Hurdle said. “I think it was enlightening. I think it was emblematic of the effort the players were putting in. It never got to be exhausting, and we played a lot more close contests than the Indians have played. It speaks to their awesomeness given the run differential they’ve put up.

“When we had our streak we had a couple of walkoffs, we had games where we came from behind, we had a club that hadn’t been historically good on the road, and we kept winning on the road. As it continued to build momentum the guys started showing up earlier and earlier and stayed later and later. At some point I felt the best thing I could do was stay out of the way. I wanted to make sure the natural flow of what these guys were doing would be allowed to keep going.”

Apropos of nothing

1. One reason Jed Lowrie didn’t get traded at the deadline, or in August, was because he has a $6 million option for 2018 with a $1 million buyout. It’s unsure whether the Athletics will pick up the option despite Lowrie hitting .276 with 12 home runs, 55 RBIs, and an .801 OPS. Lowrie was still surprised he wasn’t dealt. “Only because so many of our media started to come up to me to tell me they thought I would get traded,” he said. “As I made it past the July 31st deadline I knew it became less likely. I love playing here. I think being here surrounded by the good young players we have has been fun. So I hope to stay here, but you never know.” Lowrie loves hitting at Fenway, which wasn’t always the case. “When I was younger and played [in Boston] I always tried to hit it out of the park to right field and I couldn’t do it consistently enough,” he said. “I kept swinging harder, and that just didn’t work. I figured out that the next thing is to go the other way [at Fenway] when you’re hitting lefthanded.”

2. What a wonderful man Mel Didier was. He was baseball man through and through. He died this past week at age 91. He was a scout for more than six decades and the game was richer because of him. Kudos to Dennis Gilbert and his Professional Scouts Foundation, which helped pay for the hospice care.

3. There are still financial issues with the new Marlins ownership. This isn’t going to be a smooth transition, and exactly where team payroll will be in the future is unresolved. According to one major league source, “It’s not a mess, but it’s far from smooth.”

4. The Red Sox have three scouts assigned to the Astros, their likely playoff opponent. Of course, they’ll see them in person the last four games of the regular season.

5. As it turns out, the device used by the Red Sox to steal signs was a Fitbit product and not an Apple Watch, according to a major league source. The devices are similar, but regardless, there are a few GMs who were shocked and upset that the Red Sox were just fined. The Yankees provided with much video proof. “They got away with one,” said one American League GM. “It may affect the playoff races. It’s hard to tell how many games they stole, but even if it’s one, that makes a lot of difference.” The Red Sox would certainly dispute that they stole games.

Updates on nine

1. Doug Fister, RHP, Red Sox — Right now there are two types of scouts at ballparks — those watching prospective playoff opponents and those watching potential free agents. Fister is getting a lot of attention. The Mets, Phillies, and Royals have had scouts watching his outings of late. Fister can be a free agent after this season, and this time he probably won’t have to wait until late May to sign a major league deal. Question is, will the Red Sox be interested in re-signing him with Steven Wright due back next season?

2. Didi Gregorius, SS, Yankees — One AL scout evaluates Gregorius as one of the top “under the radar players” in baseball. Gregorius certainly is overshadowed by Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, and others, but he has been steady and effective all season.

3. Bob Geren, bench coach, Dodgers — The former A’s manager may have a leg up on taking over the managerial job with the Mets if they decide to part ways with Terry Collins, which seems inevitable. GM Sandy Alderson has always had a fondness for Geren, who was the Mets’ bench coach until he headed west for family considerations. But the manager’s job would likely lure him back to New York.

4. Gary Denbo, vice president of player development, Yankees — It seems like a fait accompli that Denbo will be brought on board to be the Marlins’ GM, or hold another significant position on Derek Jeter’s management team. Denbo has held a wide variety of positions in baseball, including minor league manager and instructor, hitting coach, scout, and in the front office. He was Jeter’s personal hitting coach in 2009 when Jeter was slumping.

5. Alex Cobb, RHP, Rays — Cobb should make out very well in free agency. One major league source indicated that the Orioles, Yankees, and Blue Jays are very interested, knowing Cobb is battle-tested in the AL East. But the interest in him should be widespread, including in the . Cobb is seen as a solid mid-rotation pitcher who won’t be as costly as the perceived No. 1s and 2s.

6. Bo Porter, special assistant to GM, Braves — Porter, who once managed the Astros, could emerge as the next Braves manager if the team lets go Brian Snitker. Jon Heyman of Fanrag reported the Braves were assessing their situation and mentioned Porter and Ron Washington as possible replacements. We’re hearing Porter would have the edge on Washington.

7. Yoan Moncada, 2B, White Sox — Moncada has been hot of late, reinforcing to the White Sox why they obtained him for Chris Sale. One of the reasons the White Sox were hesitant to deal Jose Abreu is because they wanted him to influence Moncada in a positive way, and that’s what has happened. Abreu has been hot himself, .556 (15 for 27) with seven extra-base hits, 11 RBIs, and nine runs in his last six games entering Friday. Moncada was on a 10-for-19 streak after Abreu advised him to switch to a lighter bat.

8. Josh Reddick, OF, Astros — Reddick is quietly having a good season. His .345 home average is second best in the majors (minimum 200 plate appearances), behind Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon’s .388. Reddick has also been on a tear over a 23-game period, hitting .402 (33 for 82) with 24 RBIs.

9. Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants — Let’s let the numbers speak: 2 for 52 (.038) with 12 strikeouts over his last 17 games (entering Friday). It’s looking more and more like the Giants will move on from Panda.

Extra innings From the Bill Chuck files — “Nelson Cruz has 31 plate appearances with runners on first and third this season; he’s hitting .560 with 28 RBIs.” . . . Also, “In the 83 days from June 4 to Aug. 26, the Dodgers had 15 losses; over the next 17 days, they had 15 more.” . . . Happy birthday, Orlando Cepeda (80).

It’s time for baseball to overhaul The Code

Christopher L. Gasper

The Red Sox cracked the code of the signs with the help of an electronic device, but it’s more difficult to decipher baseball’s inscrutable and hypocritical unwritten code of conduct. We’re told that sign-swiping to gain a competitive advantage doesn’t breach the integrity of the game, but don’t you dare a flip a bat or show emotion after hitting a .

In baseball, playing by the rules is imperative. It’s just that the rules that baseball holds most dear aren’t found in the rule book. They’re part of an unpublished and arbitrary canon that governs proper behavior on the diamond. The Code rules baseball in all its inconsistent, nonsensical glory.

Everyone in baseball, including Major League Baseball commissioner , buys into the idea that sign-stealing is simply part of baseball. However, baseball’s tolerance and justification of sign-stealing send mixed signals on the sport’s honor culture. If you steal opponents’ signs so you know what’s coming that can’t be labeled cheating. If you celebrate a home run with too much exuberance or flair you’re an Unwritten Rules scofflaw who has disrespected the game and dishonored your team.

The latest example of this integrity inconsistency is MLB’s response to the Red Sox getting caught red- handed stealing signs with a system that involved using an electronic device to relay information from the team’s video coordinator to a trainer in the dugout who passed it on to players. The players then signaled to teammates at second base that could see the signs being put down by the catcher. Famed British code- breaker Alan Turing, who deciphered Nazi Germany’s code during World War II, would’ve been proud of the Sox.

Manfred used a velvet hammer to punish the Red Sox on Friday, fining the team an undisclosed amount that will go toward hurricane relief efforts in Florida. The Sox had offered a recrimination when the allegations first came to light, accusing the Yankees of stealing signs using a camera from their YES Network, the Pinstriped version of NESN. MLB found insufficient evidence to punish the Yankees for that alleged infraction, but it fined the Bronx Bombers a lesser amount for improperly using a dugout telephone in a prior season.

Manfred pointed out there is no specific rule in baseball against sign-stealing and detailed that the Red Sox were being punished for how they stole signs, not for stealing them.

“Our investigation revealed that clubs have employed various strategies to decode signs that do not violate our rules,” said Manfred in a statement. “The Red Sox’ strategy violated our rules because of the use of an electronic device.”

Swell. The Red Sox’ punishment, or lack thereof, exposes the hypocrisy and lunacy of baseball’s famed Unwritten Rules, which are really no different from the arbitrary rules a group of kids would fabricate for entrance to a tree house.

In baseball, you’re better off stealing signs than stealing a base with a six-run lead in the eighth inning (unless you’re presumably doing it to get in position to steal signs from second base) or flipping your bat after an emphatic go-ahead home run in the deciding game of a playoff series, as Jose Bautista of the did in Game 5 of the 2015 American League Divisional Series against the . That led the sore-loser Rangers to tell Bautista he needed to respect the game more and that he was a bad baseball role model.

Those acts are viewed as an affront to the game, but sign-stealing is a sanctified and sanctioned part of The Code. What kind of culture is that? It’s one that condones skullduggery under the guise of gamesmanship, yet condemns players who don’t play the game the so-called “right way” as baseball sinners for not letting up and celebrating success.

If MLB had a playlist it would include Hank Williams’s “Your Cheatin’ Heart” but not “Celebration” from Kool & the Gang.

Baseball should be less focused on suppressing personality and celebratory displays and more focused on not enabling teams to concoct better ways to tilt the playing field. If a pitcher is tipping his pitches or has an obvious pattern, that’s fine. But there is a difference between being in a card game and picking up on a tell and having someone sneak a peak at everyone else’s cards to tip you off.

Even if you believe in the incontrovertibility of the Unwritten Rules, baseball has an issue here.

Manfred’s punishment could have unintended consequences for one of his pet causes — improving the pace of play. During the Red Sox’ four-game series in the Bronx from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, NESN broadcasters commented on Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez’s penchant for going to the mound. It’s now clear that one of the reasons Sanchez kept wasting time traveling 60 feet, 6 inches and back was to avoid having the signs he was putting down from being intercepted by the Red Sox.

The game will continue to be bogged down as teams take steps to avoid sign-swiping, which isn’t cheating but isn’t exactly welcomed either.

Another argument from baseball purists and defenders of the game’s confusing culture is that sign-stealing is policed by the teams. The Yankees violated baseball’s invisible precepts by reporting the Red Sox to MLB, instead of handling the issue between the teams — off the field or on the field.

If a team is stealing signs the response could be to plunk an opposing player. But if there’s nothing wrong with sign-stealing in the first place why would there need to be a deterrent?

It doesn’t follow reason and logic, just like what constitutes a major transgression in the Unwritten Rules. You can throw , put Vaseline on the ball, and doctor the baseball during your career and end up a venerated Hall of Famer. The culture that upholds baseball’s Unwritten Rules codifies the old bromide of if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying.

So, the best defense against a charge of excessive home run celebration would be to declare that the homer was hit because a teammate at second base relayed what pitch was coming.

I’d love to know where The Code stands on that.

* The Boston Herald

Chris Sale and David Price present problems for the Red Sox

Michael Silverman

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Red Sox have a No. 1 pitcher who lately’s been pitching like a No. 3.

And another No. 1 pitcher is about to audition for a bullpen job for the first time in nine years.

Nope, the Red Sox are not at all hip-deep in unchartered territory with Chris Sale and David Price.

And what timing, too, with the playoffs beginning in a little over two weeks.

This is an unsettling state of affairs. It should leave the Red Sox and their fans concerned.

Uncertainty to this extent with these two pitchers this late in the season was most definitely not in the 2017 team blueprint in December. That held good for about two weeks in February when Price’s elbow came down with soreness and stiffness and made just 11 starts before his latest job opportunity came up.

Sale certainly came as advertised and is still a strong contender for the Cy Young Award. But part of his package was that he had a tendency to fade in September. And as hard as Sale and the Red Sox have tried to prevent the fade, it didn’t work.

It’s here.

In his last six starts, he’s averaged just five-plus innings, has allowed seven home runs and an .805 OPS with a 4.64 ERA.

He’s never pitched in the playoffs, so we don’t truly know how he’ll pitch in October. Is he going to catch a second wind that will bring about the second coming of his first four months here?

Hopes sure are high because he’s Chris Sale.

Prayers are trending, too, because it’s September and he’s not pitched like the Chris Sale we were introduced to. And when you start using “hopes” and “prayers” with his name, you start to wonder exactly how solid the foundation which the Red Sox built — pitching — truly is.

“As much as we’re trying to build in some additional rest when possible you can’t turn your back toward (Sale’s) workload,” said manager John Farrell yesterday, the day after Sale couldn’t make it through six innings, walked three and surrendered two home runs and four runs. “We recognize it. I think just to the eye test it shows you we’re deep into September, he’s had a very strong year — an incredible year in many ways — so, yeah, we see the almost every other start bottom line of performance right now.”

And Sale’s current bottom line does not resemble his earlier bottom line.

So where does that leave the Red Sox?

“Concerned? It’s Chris Sale,” said Farrell. “And on any given day, there’s the ability to go out and give you seven innings with double-digit strikeouts, so (he) just hasn’t been as consistent as the first three-plus months.”

There’s really not much the Sox can do here other than have him back off on in between starts (which they’ve done), skip a start, give him more rest or pull him earlier from starts.

Or all of the above.

But the Red Sox can’t afford to do that. They have a slim division lead to protect. They can’t let up too much on Sale. Not now.

“Possibly, I don’t want to rule that out but we don’t want to think that far ahead, either,” said Farrell about giving Sale a lot more extra rest before October arrives. “I’m not worried about it, but I’m also realistic in the fact that pitchers, this late in the year when you start to build 200-plus innings, the number of pitches thrown, you have to kind of look at today and see how today is unfolding.”

What will unfold with Price remains a matter of intense speculation. He was masterful from the bullpen in September and October of 2008, when the Rays called him up in mid-September and introduced him to the reliever’s life.

If he’s healthy enough to step back on a mound, then this plan should work. On paper, it makes a ton of sense.

But blueprints . . .

“I think we’re all looking forward to David getting back to us,” said Farrell. “When he’s right, when he’s healthy, you’re looking at a power left-hander. So, setting aside the role, the fact that he’s getting back to game activity and healthy, that’s a boost.”

Before we even get to imagine how Price will perform, we have to wonder how he will be used.

And Farrell still doesn’t exactly know that.

“We’ll see how the game unfolds, see how many pitches he throws in the first inning,” said Farrell. “There will be a number of contributors to all that but I wouldn’t think it would be more than two (innings).”

One or two innings from Price. Five, maybe six or seven or, good lord have mercy, eight or nine innings from Sale.

Who can say what’s in store with these guys?

Nobody.

Red Sox Notebook: Chris Sale arguments fine by John Farrell

Jason Mastrodonato

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — From John Lackey and , to Wade Miley, to Rick Porcello, and most notably, Chris Sale, there’s a long line of pitchers who have expressed clear anger with John Farrell when getting pulled out of the game.

But to see it from Sale, who looked like the sure-fire Cy Young winner until the beginning of August, as Farrell started walking to the mound on Friday night, was a unique scene.

Before his late-season , Sale would easily have all of New England behind him if he wanted to stand up to his manager and tell him he’s staying in the game. At one point early in the year, Farrell could be seen in the dugout telling him his night would be over, only for Sale to tell him it isn’t. Sale stayed in the game.

On Friday, though, after Sale had given up four runs in 52⁄3 innings and pushed his ERA to 4.25 since Aug. 1, he had less of a case.

And yet, the second Farrell popped out of the dugout, Sale could be seen yelling at him, “I got it. I got it.”

When Farrell kept walking, Sale shook his head.

When Farrell took the ball, Sale gave him a mouthful.

“I love it, too,” Farrell said when asked about it yesterday. “I love it when guys argue with you or they want to express how they feel. I’ll take 12 of those over a guy who’s looking forward to handing over the ball.

“Last night, I know Chris didn’t want to come out of that game and I fully respect that. That’s the competitor that he is.”

Sale blamed himself afterward, but it’s certainly easier to do that after the Sox came back to beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 13-6, in the 15th inning.

“As a competitor you want to stay in there, finish your job,” Sale said. “That’s my job. I play once a week. I want to be out there as long as I can and eat up as many innings as I can, save the guys in the bullpen, stuff like that. But I did it to myself.”

Farrell certainly has a stronger case now, given that Sale, the MLB leader in innings pitched and strikeouts, has begun to show signs of wearing down this late in the season.

His velocity has been fine — he touched 99 mph Friday night and averaged 95-96 mph on his fastball — and he’s still striking out a league-best 12.7 batters per nine innings since Aug. 1, despite his ERA rising.

But Farrell believes the workload is catching up to Sale, and in response, the Red Sox have tried giving him extra rest when able to do so. Lately, that means pulling him early in games, too.

“The command started to elude him a little bit more,” Farrell said. “I know he didn’t want to come out of that game. Given that he was approaching 100 pitches, recognizing how much he’s pitched this year, felt like at the time that was the move to make.”

Unique looks

The Sox aren’t trotting out lineups with leading off. They’re not starting Henry Owens in the rotation.

Last year, the Red Sox took the foot off the gas down the stretch and stumbled into the playoffs on a bad note, eventually getting swept by the in the ALDS.

The lineups the Sox have used this weekend may look odd, and they certainly are different, but this is the best the team has right now.

Dustin Pedroia (left knee) has limitations and, after going 0-for-9 and playing all 15 innings as the designated hitter on Friday night, needed yesterday off. Eduardo Nunez is still out with a knee injury (though he could return as soon next weekend). Hanley Ramirez has biceps inflammation, among other ailments, and is considered day-to-day, though Farrell has been vague about Ramirez’ role/diagnosis.

The injuries resulted in serving as the designated hitter last night, despite Young being just 3- for-16 lifetime off Rays starter Alex Cobb.

Catcher Christian Vazquez, one of the hottest hitters in the majors over the last two months, was batting second, the first time in his career he’s batted higher than sixth. He’s 6-for-8 off Cobb.

Brock Holt was once again playing second base.

Kelly impresses

Joe Kelly might have needed this one.

After posting a 7.04 ERA from July 9 through Sept. 14, Kelly’s status in the Red Sox’ bullpen was becoming unclear. But his three perfect innings on just 33 pitches to keep Friday’s game tied in extra innings left Farrell impressed.

“We’ve seen Joe incorporate a little bit of a hesitation on his delivery to a quick pitch,” Farrell said. “As he’s understood to eliminate that and repeat his delivery, that’s allowed him to command the baseball, particularly with his secondary pitches. He was as sharp and as powerful as we’ve seen him, maybe in any time in our uniform.”

Blake’s back

Blake Swihart was behind the plate on Friday for the first time in a major league game since last April.

He caught seven innings off the bench and “did a very good job,” Farrell said.

Swihart’s presence on the roster and comfort behind the dish could allow Farrell to be more aggressive in his use of Vazquez off the bench on days he doesn’t start, or as the designated hitter when Sandy Leon is behind the plate.

Baseball Notebook: Looking to October, Houston clearly what Red Sox want

Michael Silverman

Now that the “Eau de 2011” has stopped emanating from the Red Sox, it’s time to begin the deep dive into what’s in store for them next month.

The Red Sox appear locked in to finish the regular season as the third-best American League division winner. That could change depending on that season-ending four-game series with the Astros — whom the Sox trailed by five games as of yesterday — at Fenway Park, but for the sake of reality, let’s ask Equifax to freeze the standings where they are.

If they do thus finish behind both Cleveland and Houston, that would be a shame for Red Sox playoff fortunes. No playoff contender is better at home (46-28, .621) and few are worse on the road; short of an upset by the wild card winner, winning away from Fenway will be an October necessity due to lack of home-field advantage.

You can’t pick your opponent in the playoffs, but scouting them is mandatory. Without overlooking the impossible-to-ignore Indians, a team no one wants to face at the moment, it’s worth examining the pros and cons of each potential Division Series opponent, with an emphasis on the Red Sox’ more likely and more beatable opponent, Houston.

Pros vs. Astros

The age-old recipe for success in the playoffs is strong pitching, timely offense and airtight defense. The Houston pitching is top-notch, arguably a tick behind the Red Sox staff, and their offense is no contest best in the league.

Defensively, however, the Red Sox hold a decisive edge. In the big three ’ defensive categories — UZR, Defensive Runs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved — the Astros rank 14th, 14th and 13th in the AL. The Red Sox are 1st, 1st and 2nd.

Of all the comparisons and matchups, that’s the starkest difference you’ll see. A decisive edge in a category that nearly always rears its head in the playoffs.

The Red Sox’ defense is the best by far in both leagues. The Astros are 10th-best in the AL. In the infield, the Red Sox rank higher at all four spots. Jose Altuve is having an MVP-caliber season with his bat, but he has been a below-average fielder for most of this season (and much of his career). Dustin Pedroia places fourth in UZR at second base this season.

When it comes to rotations, it’s obvious Justin Verlander represents a boost as important to the morale as the bottom line of the Astros. The Red Sox’ rotation compares favorably as far as overall ERA and WAR though, and the teams — along with the Indians — have the three best WHIPs and rates.

The difference maker is in the walk rate. The Houston starters rank 11th in the league, the relievers 10th. This year’s version of the Red Sox don’t draw as many walks as their predecessors, but still rank sixth. Plus, they tend not to strike out. Waiting out Astros pitchers for hittable strikes or taking a free base is a battle which should work in the Red Sox’ favor.

Cons vs. Astros

We’ve already noted WAR and ERA, in which the Astros’ rotation and bullpen rank third behind Cleveland and the Red Sox. The Aug. 31 addition of Verlander is hard to measure since he’s so new, but there’s no way to overstate what a 1-2 of Dallas Keuchel and Verlander could mean. That’s formidable, and the Astros have good options behind in Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh and Charlie Morton. The Red Sox offense is the No. 1 area of concern heading into the playoffs, and if the Astros’ starting pitching can set a dominating tone against the Red Sox lineup, this series will be done quickly.

No lineup in the league can put as much pressure on a pitching staff as the Astros can. This is an offensive powerhouse, ranking first in runs per game, WAR, doubles, batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage, plus lowest strikeout rate — even lower than Cleveland and the Red Sox. They don’t walk much (11th in the league), but they are hitting their way on base and knocking those runners home. The Red Sox don’t walk many batters anyway and have the second-best strikeout rate of any team in the league, and it’s imperative for the pitchers and defenders to be at the top of their game.

One more reason for any team to be wary of the Astros? Hurricane Harvey helped rally the team and the community. As the “Boston Strong” 2013 Red Sox can attest, it’s never wise to downplay intangibles in October.

Pros vs. Indians

This section will be short.

The Red Sox do hold an edge on Cleveland when it comes to the three big defensive categories, but it’s only a slight one; Cleveland defenders, overall, are not too far behind, but still, it’s something.

Pitching- and offensive-wise, the Indians hold the edge on the Red Sox. Not to diminish Cleveland’s superiority in the bullpen and rotation, but the differences are not vast. The Red Sox pitching staff is their strength and that’s not an illusion.

The Red Sox did beat the Indians 4-of-7 times during the regular season, outscoring them 46-39. The games were entertaining. Sometimes close, sometimes blowouts, but the Red Sox do understand what it takes to beat Cleveland. The Indians were not this hot when they last played the Red Sox, but the Red Sox need to cling to any shred of hope they can locate.

Cons vs. Indians

This section will be longer than the previous, but not by a lot. It won’t take too long to enumerate the ways in which the Indians are better than, well, virtually every other team.

Offensively, the Indians hold almost as much of an edge as the Astros do. No other team in the league draws walks at a higher rate than the Indians, and only the Astros strike out less often. Their OPS trails the Astros by a healthy margin, but leads the Red Sox by an even healthier margin.

Because of that high walk rate, the Indians offense poses just as stiff a challenge to Red Sox pitching as the Astros. Maybe even more.

Pitching-wise, the Indians are as good as it gets. Corey Kluber is every bit the match for Chris Sale, except Kluber’s entering October at his very best while Sale is off his peak. With Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer back, this is a formidable group of starters that tops what the Red Sox have.

With Andrew Miller back, their bullpen goes from real good to outstanding. Given how masterful Terry Francona is at making pitching moves in the postseason, it’s almost unfair the number of tools (not pejorative) the manager has at his disposal.

The 2017 Indians took a while to hit their stride, and all worries aside about reaching their peak too soon, this is the most balanced and talented team in the AL. Probably in both leagues. They are slightly better than last year’s team, which as we all know came so close to topping the Cubs.

This year, they are the Cubs. The Red Sox should want no part of them.

Banner moment

That folks got so bent out of shape about that racism banner at Fenway Park only confirms the necessity of continuing the conversation about race. And yes, that means addressing the topic when it intersects with sports. Which is often.

One person unfurls a banner, another takes a knee, somebody else wants to change a street name and another person speaks her mind about the President. On and on it goes.

Good.

We can all disagree about the content, style and delivery of the message, but these times offer way too many examples of disturbing, warped and dangerous deeds and beliefs when it comes to neighbors doing unto neighbors what they want done unto themselves. It would be folly to expect silence and it would be folly to want silence. Freedom of expression is still allowed, most of the time and in most places. It doesn’t need to be in the field of play during an actual Red Sox game at Fenway, but should Fenway be one site where the conversation about race should be held?

Absolutely. This conversation didn’t just start, and it’s not close to ending.

The Price of relief

Putting David Price in the bullpen is such a no-brainer. Even at three-quarters health, Price is better than almost anybody else in the bullpen — that’s why he’s a starter — and it’s better to get something from him in October than nothing.

Also, as far as click-bait goes, is there any better angle than Price pitching in the postseason? Even with an asterisk as a reliever, Price enters the center ring again. It’s much more fun having him there than anywhere else. Maybe it will bring him some fun as well.

Mookie Betts settles into a comfort zone at the plate

Michael Silverman

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Mookie Betts is not quite where he wants to be at the plate. If he’s still got room to improve, watch out.

“Better, just trying to continue to be consistent and help the team in whatever way,” said Betts after he drove in two runs with two hits, including a home run, in last night’s 3-1 victory over the Rays. “I was able to get a couple of key hits today. I’ve got to continue it through the rest of the season.”

Calling those couple of hits “key” is putting it mildly.

Betts began the scoring when he turned on an Alex Cobb fastball that strayed into his happy zone on the inner half of the plate, belting it beyond the back of the left-field bleachers for a 1-0 lead in the second inning.

The home run was No. 22 on the season but more importantly it continued the power and overall hitting surge he has been on of late. After going homerless in 123 at-bats and hitting just one home run in his previous 45 games, Betts now has four home runs in his last 34 at-bats.

“He’s in a 10-day run here where we’re seeing the guy we saw for two years leading into this year,” said Sox manager John Farrell. “He gets a fastball first at-bat where they try to run one in on him and he’s so quick in there, as he was in the Oakland series when we saw a couple home runs. He’s relaxed, confident and that leads to the comfortability that we’re seeing.”

The second run Betts knocked in featured more intrigue than one swing of a bat. With Andrew Benintendi on first base with one out and Betts at the plate, Cobb made what looked like a legal throw to first but home plate Jeff Nelson called a balk. Cobb could not believe it and became more flustered when Nelson called what could have been strike three on Betts a ball. Benintendi alertly stole third base and from there, Betts singled him in.

Cobb admitted the non-strike call was a big deal.

“Yeah, I get these guys miss calls, it’s tough to do what they do,” said Cobb. “Just in that moment, one of the best hitters in the game is up, and there aren’t too many ways you can get him out. I thought I executed the pitch really well there.”

Betts was not going to complain about Nelson. He admitted to having a thought about Benintendi’s steal attempt.

“Just be ,” said Betts. “It was one of those games, we tried, we didn’t have a whole lot of baserunners but when we get guys on base we have to find a way to score them. Luckily he was able to be safe but it was a good aggressive play there.”

Nelson’s call and Benintendi’s heads-up play meant Betts could focus on doing what he does best, or, what he’s doing “better.”

“I mean, with a guy at second you have to get the base hit,” said Betts. “With a guy on third there, just kind of trying to elevate something but I had two strikes, so the main thing there was just to put in play.”

Rick Porcello avoids making wrong kind of history with strong start

Jason Mastrodonato

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Porcello did not look like a pitcher who had a chance at becoming just the second since 1980 to lose 20 games in a season.

No, Porcello looked much more like the Cy Young Award winner who went 22-4 a year ago.

Porcello put on a clinic in last night’s 3-1 Red Sox win at Tropicana Field, where he carved up the Tampa Bay Rays for 71⁄3 innings, allowing just one unearned run, which came in his final frame. The starter threw an efficient 94 pitches (63 for strikes), then turned things over to the bullpen.

“Story of the game was Porcello,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “Obviously, he was pretty tough on us.”

Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel (save No. 33) finished up, assuring the first-place Sox would keep their three-game lead over the New York Yankees in the AL East.

Porcello (10-17) was running out of time to prove worthy of making a postseason start. Now, with two starts remaining, he has a chance to finish the season with a dozen wins.

“When we score runs for him, he’s as good of a pitcher as we’ve seen all of last year,” manager John Farrell said. “And I know the ERA is a little inflated this year (4.46), but we score three or more runs for him and we’re in pretty good shape with him on the mound.”

The numbers were all lopsided heading into this start. Porcello led the majors in losses and had a chance to become the first pitcher since Mike Maroth, for the in 2003, to lose 20 games. He led the majors in home runs allowed (35) but rarely gave up hard contact in this one. He led the majors in hits allowed (220) but gave up just five to Tampa Bay.

And this start was against a Rays team that knocked Chris Sale around for four runs the previous night in the series opener, when the Sox needed 15 innings to score a 13-6 victory.

This was not the same Porcello who took the mound against the Rays at Fenway Park last Sunday, the one who gave up only two runs in five innings but inspired such little confidence that Farrell yanked him before the sixth. This time, Porcello was much more efficient, and he didn’t walk a batter until the eighth inning.

“My last start, I needed to be better,” Porcello said. “I hit a wall, and I didn’t have enough of a mix to keep them off-balance. They were pretty much on to me.

“The focus tonight was to change eye levels, use the more below the zone and expand to use their aggressiveness to our advantage and try not to get into these mid-count foul-ball battles by elevating .”

It was interesting to note, however, that as dominant as Porcello was in this start, as soon as he ran into some trouble in the eighth with the Red Sox up three runs, giving up a double to Adeiny Hechavarria and walking Mallex Smith, Farrell gave him the hook.

Reed came on and induced a grounder, but first baseman threw a ball into Smith’s back at second base, the error allowing Hechavarria to score an unearned run.

“That’s why he’s here,” Farrell said of Reed. “And there’s been a couple hiccups along the way, but I like the way his ball cuts and a slider, can induce some soft contact on the ground with lateness to the slider. That was a spot for him.”

Mookie Betts has been anything but hot, entering the middle game of the series with a .239 average and .738 OPS since the start of August.

And when Tampa Bay starter Alex Cobb tried going inside on Betts in his first in the second inning, he took the first pitch for a strike. But not the second one. This inside offering was sent a over the left field wall for a home run, a no-doubter for his 22nd of the season.

It was Betts again who stepped up in the sixth inning, driving in a run with a single and then scoring when Rafael Devers cranked a double.

* The Providence Journal

Red Sox Journal: Confidence in grows by leaps and bounds

Tim Britton

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — If it hadn’t been clear earlier, it is now: The shackles are off Joe Kelly.

Appearing on consecutive days, Kelly threw three perfect innings in Friday night’s 15-inning win over the Rays, looking as good as he ever has as a Red Sox reliever.

“He was so efficient. That’s the biggest thing,” manager John Farrell said Friday night. “He wasn’t coming out of his delivery. When he stays smooth in his delivery, his command is so much better.”

Kelly has toyed at times with a hesitation in his delivery to throw off a hitter’s timing; Farrell likes it more when the delivery is more straightforward.

“As he’s understood to eliminate that and repeat his delivery, that’s allowed him to command the baseball, particularly with his secondary pitches,” the manager said. “He was as sharp and as powerful as we’ve seen him, maybe in any time in our uniform.”

Earlier in the season, the Red Sox were hesitant to use Kelly on back-to-back days or for more than three outs. There are no such concerns now, and Kelly is starting to look like the bullpen weapon he was last September and October, when he was as good as anybody in Boston’s pen.

For a team still trying to identify a third righty next to Craig Kimbrel and Addison Reed, Kelly is picking the right time to pitch his best.

Thrown into action

The Red Sox didn’t exactly ease Blake Swihart back into catching on Friday night.

Swihart, who hadn’t caught a major-league game since April and any game in more than two weeks entered Friday night’s game in the ninth inning. Swihart ended up catching seven more frames for Boston. He went to work right away catching Kimbrel and Reed, the latter of whom he had never worked with before.

“With each inning, you could see some added comfort,” Farrell said. “He did a very good job with the game calling to the receiving to the blocking — pivotal at that time in the game.”

The plan for Price

David Price will be available out of the bullpen early this week, though the Red Sox have yet to determine what kind of situation they want to use the converted starter in.

Price last threw in a simulated game on Wednesday, when he tossed 48 pitches. Farrell said bringing Price back before Sunday would not be right given the elbow inflammation Price has dealt with since last starting on July 22.

When Price does return, Farrell said it would not be for more than two innings. Whether he gets a second inning will depend on how many pitches the first requires.

“We’re all looking forward to David getting back to us,” Farrell said. “When he’s right, when he’s healthy, you’re looking at a power left-hander. The fact that he’s getting back to game activity, that’s a boost.”

Progress on the injury front

Eduardo Nunez continues to make progress from his knee sprain, and the infielder could be back by next weekend’s series in Cincinnati.

“He’s making a steady and rapid recovery from it,” Farrell said of Nunez’s PCL sprain in his right knee. “There is no timetable for a return, but to see what he’s able to endure right now is all very encouraging.”

Brock Holt got another start at second base on Saturday with Nunez out and Dustin Pedroia getting the day off. Pedroia went 0-for-9 in Friday’s marathon, though he did get the go-ahead run home in the 15th when he reached on an error.

Farrell said Pedroia would not be available off the bench.

An MRI on Hanley Ramirez’s left biceps showed signs of inflammation, though nothing more conclusively. Ramirez remains day-to-day. He was out of the lineup on Saturday, with Chris Young serving as the designated hitter.

Red Sox 3, Rays 1: Rick Porcello turns back clock in outstanding start

Tim Britton

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Watching Rick Porcello on Saturday night at Tropicana Field, one could be forgiven for thinking the Rio Olympics had just ended, the Red Sox could still give David Ortiz a championship sendoff and a 28-3 lead in the third quarter of a football game was insurmountable.

Because, for one night at least, Porcello turned back the clock to 2016.

In what sure felt like his best start of the season, Porcello allowed just one unearned run into the eighth, pitching the Red Sox past the Rays, 3-1.

“He led the way tonight,” manager John Farrell said. “This was a big night.”

“He did everything right today,” said Mookie Betts, who chipped in with two hits, two runs and two RBIs.

A day after the Red Sox played six hours, Porcello did his best to limit the time they spent on the Trop’s turf. Facing an aggressive Tampa Bay team for the second straight time and sixth time this season, Porcello generated a slew of early, weak contact via ground balls and pop-ups.

Porcello needed just eight pitches in the first with the help of a double-play groundout, just nine in the third thanks to a and nine more in the sixth in a 1-2-3 frame.

“He was pumping the zone and getting outs early in the count,” said Andrew Benintendi, whose aggressiveness on the bases paid off in a sixth-inning run.

“I’m the only guy that got rest last night,” Porcello said. “It’s important to pitch deep into games this time of year. I was fortunate to have some quick innings and get extended into the eighth. That was big for us.”

The Rays pushed just two runners into against Porcello all night. The only one to cross the plate — Adeiny Hechavarria — did so on an error after he had departed the game.

Porcello’s 7 1/3 innings were his most since July. He allowed five hits and a walk while striking out three.

“When we score runs for him, he’s as good of a pitcher as we’ve seen all of last year,” said Farrell.

The Red Sox are 14-4 in Porcello’s starts when they score at least three; they’re 0-13 when they don’t.

The right-hander simplified his repertoire on Saturday, relying heavily on his two- and four-seam fastballs. Two-thirds of his deliveries on Saturday were heaters of one kind or another, and he mixed in a he kept below the zone in order to change eye levels. That’s how you get so many grounders and pop-ups.

For the second straight start, he shelved his . Part of that is Tampa Bay’s lineup, part of it is a lack of confidence in a pitch that’s felt a little off for much of the season.

“The focus was to change eye levels, use the breaking ball more below the zone and expand to use their aggressiveness to our advantage,” said Porcello, who was frustrated his last time out by his inability to finish at-bats.

Porcello’s season has intransigently resisted clear trendlines. His good stretches are interrupted by terrible starts, his bad stretches by flashes of his former form. He has not gone more than three straight outings without delivering a so-called this season. But he’s finished seven innings in consecutive starts just once all season. He had one stretch in which he did that for 11 starts in a row in 2016.

He has felt perennially about to turn the corner, and so one can’t confidently say that Saturday will mark some kind of inflection point in his season. But at a time when one good run can lock up a spot in the postseason rotation, Saturday was significant.

Betts homered in the second — more flashbacks to 2016, eh? — and drove home Benintendi with a base hit in the sixth before scoring himself on Rafael Devers’ double. Benintendi’s bold baserunning — oft- criticized this season — was a pivotal part of that two-run sixth. After reaching on a fielder’s choice, the outfielder advanced to second on a balk, took third while Cobb was staring into home, and scored when Betts’ single beat a drawn-in infield.

“If I get thrown out at third there, it’s probably a story,” said Benintendi. “I’m just trying to be aggressive and make plays.”

With the win, the Red Sox stayed three clear of the Yankees in the division. New York beat up again on Baltimore Saturday.

“We don’t care about them,” Benintendi said. “We’re just trying to focus on ourselves because that’s all we can do. Control what we can control.”

While blaming workload for Chris Sale’s fade, Red Sox don’t see reason for regret

Tim Britton

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Now that Chris Sale has embarked on a second-half fade in line with his career track record, the Red Sox look upon it with a kind of resignation.

After four transcendent months, Sale has been merely mortal over the last six weeks, fashioning a 4.25 ERA over his last nine starts. He’s averaging fewer than six innings per start in that stretch. The Red Sox view Sale’s diminished results as purely the result of the heavy workload on the left-hander throughout this season.

“You can’t turn your back toward the workload,” manager John Farrell said Saturday. “We recognize it. Just to the eye test, it shows we’re deep into September.... On any given day, there’s the ability to go out and give you seven innings with double-digit strikeouts. It just hasn’t been as consistent as the first three- plus months.”

Sale crossed the 200-inning threshold on Friday — the first pitcher in baseball to do so this season. It’s his fourth 200-inning season in the last five, and he’s unlikely to reach the 226 2/3 innings he tossed a season ago.

At the same time, Farrell and the Red Sox don’t regret the approach they took in building that workload for Sale this season. Knowing his track record of performing better in the first half than the second, Boston proactively looked to give him an extra day of rest when possible this season.

“I don’t go back on that,” he said. “Every opportunity we had to build in a day of rest, we did.”

The Sox had 16 such opportunities and gave Sale the extra day 13 times. Even when the team wwas struggling to locate a fifth starter, it usually resisted the chance to turn back to Sale on regular rest instead of going with someone like Hector Velazquez or Doug Fister instead.

That’s were that resignation comes in: The Sox don’t exactly know what they could have done better.

“To me, it’s not about Chris and why this is happening,” pitching coach said. “I honestly think it’s the norm for guys who carry a workload like he does. Our challenge is to be able to put ourselves in the best position to finish off our first goal here [in the division] and still be able to have him maybe get an opportunity to catch his breath going into the next phase.”

The impact of Sale’s workload can be seen most clearly in his home-run rate. That was on display on Friday, when a pair of long homers from Wilson Ramos and Adeiny Hechavarria accounted for three of the four Tampa Bay runs off Sale in his 5 2/3 innings.

“It’s just bad pitches, honestly,” Sale said after Boston came back to win 13-6 in 15 innings. “If you look at the location of the pitches that are hit out of the park, they’re not great pitches.”

Indeed, Ramos’ two-run homer came off a fastball that was meant to be on the outside corner and instead ended up middle-in. Hechavarria’s was on a hanging slider.

“That’s what home runs are,” Willis said. “Sometimes hitters can hit your pitch, but more times than not, they’re mislocated. Deeper in the year, you see a few more of those.”

Through the first four months of the season, Sale had served up a mere 11 home runs in 148 1/3 innings; that’s a remarkable rate of 0.67 homers per nine innings. He’s yielded nine since then in 53 innings, or 1.5 per nine — more than double the previous rate.

Some of this is regression. Sale’s only had one season (2014) in which his home-run rate was as low as it had been at the end of July.

But this has been the trend Sale has shown throughout his career in the final two months of the season. Entering this season, Sale had allowed 0.89 homers per nine in the first four months of the year and 1.35 homers per nine in the final two. This season isn’t as much an aberration as a plot point that fits the graph.

Why did that 2014 season stand out as an outlier? Well, Sale was injured early in the year, spending about five weeks on the disabled list in April and May. He thus didn’t have as many innings on his arm come the final two months, and thus the home-run rate never regressed.

When Sale starts to feel fatigue later in the season, he loses the consistency of his velocity, his command and his movement. Willis noted that while Sale’s maximum velocity remains the same — he touched 99 on Friday — he isn’t reaching back for that speed as much. Inconsistent command is what’s behind mislocated fastballs like the one to Ramos on Friday night. And his slider has occasionally flattened out, leading to hangers like the one Hechavarria launched to left.

It’s not like Sale has gone from ace to replacement-level starter. During this quote-unquote , his strikeout-to-walk ratio is 5.4 and he’s allowing a .295 on-base percentage. Those would rank second and seventh in the A.L. over the full season.

But as the Sox embark on the homestretch of the season and into the postseason, they appear resigned to the idea of a somewhat diminished Sale.

“I’m not worried about it,” Farrell said, “but I’m also realistic in the fact that this late in the year, when you start to build to 200-plus innings, you have to look at today and see how today is unfolding.”

* The Springfield Republican

Mookie Betts homers, Rick Porcello delivers gem in 's win over Tampa Bay Rays

Christopher Smith

Mookie Betts provided the offense and Rick Porcello provided the run prevention.

Betts turned on an inside 92 mph four-seam fastball from Rays right-handed starter Alex Cobb during the second inning and pulled it for a homer to left field. It marked his 22nd blast.

Betts also delivered an RBI single during the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Porcello allowed just one unearned run, five hits and one walk while striking out three over 7 1/3 innings. The Red Sox won 3-1 over the Rays at Tropicana Field.

Porcello has allowed just three runs in 21 1/3 innings (1.27 ERA) over three starts at Tropicana Field.

Steal sparks rally

Andrew Benintendi reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth, advanced to second on a balk, then stole third without Cobb throwing a pitch.

Cobb's last-minute throw to third base was too late.

With the infield in, Betts drilled an 83.6 mph knuckle-curve from Cobb into left for an RBI single.

Rafael Devers smashed an RBI double to the opposite field on a 92.1 mph fastball from lefty reliever Dan Jennings with two outs in the sixth to put Boston ahead 3-0.

Reed and Kimbrel do the job

Addison Reed relieved Porcello and got Kevin Kiermaier to ground out to first base with runners at the corners and one out.

Mitch Moreland stepped on first base and then threw to second base. The ball hit the runner and went into shallow center, allowing the runner to score from third.

But Reed struck out Steven Souza Jr. to end the inning.

Kimbrel recorded his 33rd save.

He struck out Evan Longoria and Lucas Duda, then got Wilson Ramos to ground out to shortstop.

* The New Hampshire Union Leader

Kelly pitches his way into bullpen consideration

Mike Shalin

THE RED SOX are already adding a $31 million-a-year left-hander to their bullpen for the rest of the regular season and into October.

Friday night, they may well have added another pitcher into the postseason plans.

In the midst of all the craziness that was Friday night into Saturday morning in St. Petersburg, Joe Kelly pitched three perfect innings to keep the game alive.

Let's be honest. Kelly hasn't been great and there was a general feeling John Farrell and Carl Willis may have lost faith in him. Then, this happens, and Kelly has to have forced himself at least into the thinking, of what will be a revamped bullpen adding David Price.

Friday night, the Red Sox survived a shaky Chris Sale, overcame a three-run deficit against the major leagues' saves leader, blew a lead in the 14th as Brandon Workman allowed a home run in a step back for him, and then scored seven in the 15th.

They improved to 13-3 in extra inning games.

"I think more than anything the number of games that we've played in extra innings, we're certainly comfortable," Farrell said. "We don't panic. There's a relaxed attitude and energy in the dugout knowing that someone is going to step up big."

Speaking of relaxed, Price said he just wanted to pitch, and make it back to join the fun. Now, he gets to come back and doesn't have to face the albatross hanging around his neck of never winning a postseason game as a starter, His two victories were in relief.

Eck speaks

Dennis Eckersley used an appearance on Rob Bradford's WEEI podcast to finally get his feelings out on what Price and teammates did to him earlier this season.

"I was humiliated, to be honest with you," he said. "As far as talking about this, I've never said anything (since the incident). You're the first person I've really talked to about this. I don't want to make it anything more than it is."

Saying he won't be talking to Price again, Eck told Bradford, "Ultimately this comes back to the dude doesn't like me. I get it. It's cool. Let's move on. . . . Why would I want to talk to him, you know? He's not the first guy that doesn't like me. I get it.

"I used to watch three-quarters of the game before I went to the bullpen. I remember thinking to myself if I ever do this, and it was just a thought, I want to make sure I know this game's not that easy. You don't want to get up there and just starting popping off ... You can't sit there and say (to yourself), 'Careful here, careful there. You don't want to hurt somebody.' A lot of these players think they want their mom and dad up here calling the game.

"I can't worry about 30 guys in that clubhouse. The people I'm trying to talk to are the audience."

Well said.

On the sked

Very unusual opening to the 2018 Red Sox season. Four games at Tampa Bay and two in Miami before opening at home with the Rays. So seven of the first nine games come against the same team.

MLB is trying to give players more rest and also limit travel, so teams are playing all interleague games within the same division on the other side. The Red Sox will be playing the NL East.

The Oakland A's received very good news with the new schedule. They'll have fewer miles in the air, dropping from 54,000 to 42,000 while playing the NL West.

"They've done a much better job of city pairings. We're not going from Seattle to Tampa Bay to Toronto," traveling secretary Mickey Morabito said. "For a West Coast club, every trip out is a long haul, and if you can puddle jump in the middle, it helps out. And I've always been envious of the East Coast teams that come out and spend a week in the Bay Area during interleague play. We finally get that in Southern California."

Bad timing

Doug Mientkiewicz, the man who recorded the final out of the 2004 World Series off a toss from Keith Foulke, was cleaning up storm debris in the Florida Keys when he got word he had been fired from his A- Ball managerial job by the Twins. After five years and four first-place finishes, and he was gone in a minor-league shakeup.

"I've been cutting down trees up and down the block, cleaning up after the hurricane, and watching the National Guard go up and down the street. My cellphone was out for several days, and then I got a call today," Mientkiewicz told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I'm out here working my rear end off, dealing with the remnants of the hurricane, and they call to tell me I'm fired. You think they will ever do something professional as an organization?"

As far as the change itself, he said, "I wasn't shocked, because I had a message that changes were taking place. I feel bad for the kids who played for me, including the ones I managed that are helping the Twins make a run for the playoffs right now. Ask any of them about me as a manager."

Streaks over

Now that the Indians (winning) and Dodgers (losing) have ended their streaks, which team would you rather be heading into October? Did the Indians peak too soon? Have the Dodgers already overcome their adversity?

Classic scene in Cleveland after the Indians finally lost Friday night: a huge standing ovation from the fans with the players saluting the crowd like teams do after winning something big.

The Dodgers' 11-game losing streak was the franchise's longest ever in LA.

The White Sox have had a miserable rebuilding season but they had a special day Thursday in Detroit. The White Sox won 17-7 but get this: Yoan Moncada, Jose Abreu and Avisail Garcia combined to go 13-for-15 with 10 RBIs and 10 runs scored. The first five hitters in the lineup had 19 of the club's 25 hits.

Moncada and Garcia homered, and Moncada homered again Friday night.

Hot headed

Old pal John Lackey was thrown out of Friday's game in Chicago during a play. Upset that umpire Jordan Baker missed a clear strike three on the previous pitch to fellow pitcher Carlos Martinez (Martinez had actually walked away, thinking he was out), Lackey then had to back up home plate when Martinez got a hit. Baker ran him before the play even ended and catcher Willson Contreras then got tossed, slammed his mask on the ground, and the mask ricocheted and hit Baker in the leg. Contreras was suspended two games for his actions.

"He missed the pitch," Lackey said. "It's a big spot in a huge game and he missed the pitch. He had no argument back. He was just trying to say 'that's enough.' Usually when they do that, they know they missed it."

Around the horn

The Red Sox have played four games of at least 15 innings for the first time since 1951. ... notched his 900th win as Yankees manager Friday. ... The Indians' loss Friday dropped the team's record to 31-6 since acquiring Jay Bruce from the Mets. ... The Yankees clinched their 25th straight non-losing season. ... Gary Sanchez's 31 homers through Friday are the most ever by a Yankee catcher. Yogi Berra, twice, and Jorge Posada, both hit 30. ... Why isn't , just 50-61 lifetime, a better pitcher with that stuff? ... Bruce on teammate Jose Ramirez: "He plays the game literally with his hair on fire." ... ESPN's Darren Rovell said if you bet $100 on the Indians in the first game of their streak, rolled over (let it ride) game after game, it would have netted you $2.7 million. Ahhh, but would you have stopped at 22? ... Neat sub-story to the Rays "hosting" the Yankees at Citi Field: Lucas Duda got to dress in his old Mets locker. ... No shocker: Tim Tebow was visiting Florida victims. ... Could red-hot J.D. Martinez be signed by Red Sox baseball executive for a second time? ... The Red Sox could play nine straight games against the Astros, the last four regular season and five in an ALDS. ... Finally, we give you Sale joking after Friday night's outing and what happened later: "Winning this game, it boosts the morale and makes me not go home and want to just stare at the ceiling."

* The Portland Press Herald

On Baseball: With strikeout stigma gone, hitters are swinging for the fences

Kevin Thomas

BOSTON — Tampa Bay Rays slugger Corey Dickerson came to bat last weekend at Fenway Park with a runner on first base. Rick Porcello threw him five fastballs.

Dickerson swung at four of them, fouling off a 1-2 pitch, before flailing at a 93 mph outside heater and walking back to the dugout.

It’s a familiar stroll. Dickerson has struck out 144 times this season, 15th-highest among American League batters.

It doesn’t bother him. Dickerson, like many other hitters in the game today, would rather swing for the fences. He ranks 24th in the AL with 26 home runs – more than anyone on the Red Sox.

“You don’t want to just try to get a little single and then that produces nothing for the team,” Dickerson said. “If you can create power, to get runs on the board, it’s definitely rewarding to the team.”

Home runs – and strikeouts – are on a record pace this season in major league baseball.

Pitchers are allowing 1.27 home runs a game – up from 1.16 last year. The previous high was 1.17 in 2000, during the Steroid Era.

They also are averaging 8.33 strikeouts every nine innings. The strikeout rate has been on a steady increase for years – 8.10 per nine innings last season compared to 10 years ago (6.67) and 25 years ago (5.6).

Remember the “Year of the Pitcher” in 1968, prompting the mound height to be lowered from 15 inches to 10? The strikeout rate then was 5.89 per nine innings.

Now it’s 8.33. That means nearly one-third of the outs in a nine-inning game are strikeouts.

It’s dulling the sport. Strikeouts usually take more pitches, contributing to longer games. This season the average nine-inning game is 3 hours, 5 minutes – an all-time high.

It may be exciting to string up the K’s when Chris Sale is pitching, but overall, which would a fan rather see: batters walking back to the dugout or fielders making plays? I’ll take the web gems.

But the strikeouts keep coming.

“Pitchers have more consistent, dominant stuff,” said Portland Sea Dogs slugger Mike Olt (16 homers in 2017), who has played with both the Cubs and White Sox.

“Pitchers have more (velocity). They have a tendency to get ahead in the count.”

The average major league fastball is 92.8 mph, up from 89 in 2002 (the first year that velocity was tracked by fangraphs.com).

“I just think all the pitchers are getting stronger,” Dickerson said. “They’re throwing harder and hitting is one of the toughest things to do.”

Yes, pitchers are improved. But what about the old adage of “protecting the plate” with two strikes? You know, choke up. Make contact.

That is so yesterday. Hitters no longer seem content with simply making contact. The power swing they take with no strikes is now the same one they use with two.

“That’s the way the game has changed,” said Red Sox assistant hitting coach Victor Rodriguez. “I remember when I played (1977-95), striking out was a big deal. We used to worry about putting the ball in play.

“Now, with two strikes, we’re still looking for that mistake and try to do damage. That’s what it is – do or die. You take your chances and either hit the ball hard or strike out.”

The Red Sox don’t want their players to strike out. They begin working with younger players on their pitch selection.

“We talk about a general approach with two strikes,” said Red Sox minor league hitting coordinator Greg Norton. “It’s not that I want guys completely overhauling their swing, where it’s uncomfortable. It’s more of a mindset – just a bear-down mentality.

“I don’t like to say ‘protect’ because that’s a negative. I still want them to be aggressive with the barrel. But I want our guys to be a tough out.”

Sea Dogs hitting coach Lee May Jr., who also has coached in for the Red Sox, said the swing-for- the-fence mentality hurts the hitter.

“By all means, you want guys to go out and drive the baseball,” May said. “Home runs are the byproduct of a good swing and a line drive approach.

Home runs usually translate to scoring more runs … as long as a team is getting other runners on base.

In 2016, the Red Sox had David Ortiz and ranked seventh in the AL in homers, while leading the league in runs. This season Boston has only 153 homers, worst in the league.

But it still ranks sixth in runs, in part because the Red Sox are fifth in on-base percentage.

Three of the top four home-run hitting teams in the American League are also 1-2-3 in runs – Houston, New York and Texas.

The Astros are the rare team that combines power with a solid on-base percentage (league-best .345), while avoiding strikeouts (977, fewest in the league).

The Yankees have the fourth-highest strikeout total but are third in on-base percentage and fourth in homers.

“You can strike out X-number of times and it’s not that big of a deal as long as you produce on the other end,” said former Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo, now a NESN analyst.

Power on the mound is also coveted.

“Now guys are getting drafted based on the radar gun,” DiNardo said. “They draft them and then teach them how to pitch.”

The power pitchers strike out more batters but apparently also throw more mistakes, which are being swatted over the fences.

“It seems like everybody strikes out 100 times,” Rodriguez said, “but it’s OK as long as they have production.”

* RedSox.com

Porcello steps up, pitches like '16 Cy winner

Connor Mount

ST. PETERSBURG -- The circumstances surrounding Rick Porcello all but required a big start for the Red Sox right-hander. A night earlier, Boston churned through eight relievers in a 15-inning victory over the Rays. A marathon requires a breather for its participants in its aftermath.

"I'm the only guy that got rest last night," Porcello said. "And knowing how many guys we used out of our bullpen [Friday] and how much those guys have thrown over the last week ... it's important to pitch deep into games this time of year. It doesn't matter that there's September callups; those guys were being used, too."

Porcello rose to the occasion Saturday in a 3-1 win over Tampa Bay, cruising through a hyper-efficient 7 1/3 innings while allowing just an unearned run. He threw 12 pitches or fewer in all but one of the eight frames he appeared in (a 21-pitch fourth being the outlier).

That was a drastic change from his start last week against the Rays in Fenway Park, when a 39-pitch fifth ended his night in a losing effort. That night, he fell to 1-4 with a 4.91 ERA against the Rays in 2017.

"My last start, I needed to be better," Porcello said. "I hit a wall and I didn't have enough of a mix to keep them off balance. They were pretty much on to me and I ended up throwing … [39] pitches in one inning because I couldn't mix it up enough. So the focus was to change eye levels, use the breaking ball more below the zone and expand. Use their aggressiveness to our advantage and try not to get into these mid- count battles by elevating fastballs."

Tampa Bay worked against itself with its willingness to swing early, often lofting harmless fly balls on the first pitch. Boston did not have to spend much time in the field, unlike on Friday, and they were able to score three runs in support of Porcello.

That has been a rarity in 2017. Porcello leads the Majors with 17 losses, but in 10 of them, Boston was held scoreless when the righty was on the mound. In the other seven defeats, they scored either one or two runs with Porcello in the game. He's managed to lose nine quality starts, the most for a Red Sox pitcher since 1930.

Porcello hasn't been as effective as he was en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2016. Entering Saturday, he had given up more hits and home runs than anyone in the AL, and had a 4.64 ERA as a result (up from 3.15 in 2016).

But Porcello is quite capable of showing flashes of that Cy Young self, and that was readily apparent Saturday night.

"When we score runs for him, he's as good as a pitcher as we've seen all last year," manager John Farrell said. "And I know the ERA is a little bit inflated this year, but when we score three or more runs for him, we're in pretty good shape with him on the mound."

Porcello's gem, Betts' blast keep Sox 3 up

Bill Chastain and Connor Mount

ST. PETERSBURG -- Rick Porcello kept the Rays bats in check for 7 1/3 innings and received enough run support to lead the Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Rays on Saturday night at Tropicana Field.

The Red Sox (85-63) won for the eighth time in their past 10 games to maintain a three-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East. The Rays (72-77) lost for the seventh time in their past nine games, further diminishing their hopes of becoming the AL's second Wild Card team.

Porcello did not resemble a pitcher with 17 losses. Instead, he looked more like the hurler who won the 2016 AL Cy Young Award, which was apparent from the beginning when he needed just eight pitches to dispose of the Rays in the first.

"As aggressive as they are, you can use that to your advantage," Porcello said of the Rays. "But if you miss over the plate and hang a breaking ball ... they have a lot of guys who can hit fastballs and breaking balls a long way. You've really got to be able to expand and be effective and throw your breaking ball strike to ball and the fastball has got to be located well."

Porcello allowed one unearned run on five hits to notch a quality start in his 10th win.

"I didn't think he did anything out of the ordinary," Tampa Bay right fielder Steven Souza Jr. said. "I thought he got some generous calls on the outside part of the dish. You know, when you get some room out there to throw with a guy who can locate a fastball, you can get pretty comfortable on the mound.

"He did a good job of elevating the ball with four-seam and running it back with two-seam. When he can locate a ball, and he's got room to make error, he can be pretty tough to face."

Mookie Betts got the Red Sox started in the second when he homered to left on a 2-2 fastball from Rays starter Alex Cobb.

"[Betts] is in a 10-day run here where we're seeing the guy that we saw for two years leading into this year," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He gets a fastball the first at-bat that they try to run one in on him, and he's so quick in there."

The Red Sox added two in the sixth on an RBI single by Betts and an RBI double by Rafael Devers for a 3- 0 cushion.

The Rays scored in the eighth when Kevin Kiermaier grounded to first with one out. Mitch Moreland stepped on the base and tried to retire Mallex Smith at second to complete the double play. Instead, his throw hit Smith and went into center field, allowing Adeiny Hechavarria, who had hit a leadoff double and advanced on a passed ball, to score on the error.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED That's a balk: In the sixth, Andrew Benintendi advanced to second on a balk by Cobb. The Rays' right- hander clearly was not happy with the call. Benintendi then stole third base without Cobb delivering a pitch, causing the Rays to pull in their infield. Cobb broke off a 2-2 fastball that appeared to be a strike, but was upset after home-plate umpire Jeff Nelson called it a ball. Betts followed with an RBI single to left on the next pitch to put the Red Sox up, 2-0.

"I felt like I had a good chance of getting there, he had a long delivery," Benintendi said of stealing third. "Just timed it up well, I guess."

After the run scored, Cobb chirped at Nelson and Logan Morrison did more than chirp as Nelson ejected the Rays' first baseman, who was not in the lineup. Dan Jennings took over for Cobb and the Red Sox added another run to take a three-run lead. More >

Reed to the rescue: Addison Reed relieved Porcello with one out in the eighth and runners at the corners. He retired the hot-hitting Kiermaier on a groundout to first, and might have escaped without a run scoring if Moreland did not commit a throwing error while trying to complete the double play. Hechavarria scored on the error. Reed kept it a two-run game by striking out Souza swinging to end the threat.

"I've never faced him in my career; it's the first time I'm facing him, so trying to be aggressive," Souza said. "He's got a little deception to his fastball. I put together a good at-bat and ended up chasing a cutter outside of the zone, unfortunately."

QUOTABLE "Story of the game was Porcello. Obviously, he was pretty tough on us. He mixes pitches well enough, but really went fastball-heavy early in the game. Established fastball. Got us to speed up, and then when he needed to go soft later in the game, I think it benefited him quite a bit." -- Rays manager Kevin Cash

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Since being acquired from the Marlins on June 26, Hechavarria has a .985 fielding percentage. Before his arrival, Rays shortstops ranked 14th of 15 AL teams with a .959 fielding percentage.

WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Seeking a three-game sweep, the Red Sox finish their season series with the Rays by sending Eduardo Rodriguez (5-5, 4.19 ERA) to the Tropicana Field mound Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET. When Rodriguez faced Tampa Bay last September, he struck out a career-high 13 in 5 1/3 innings.

Rays: Jake Odorizzi (8-8, 4.52 ERA) gets the nod in Sunday's series finale. Odorizzi s 3-5 with a 4.56 ERA in 16 career starts against the Red Sox, which is the most starts he's made against any Major League team. He's 2-2 with a 3.08 ERA in seven starts against them at Tropicana Field.

* WEEI.com

Red Sox 3, Rays 1: Could Rick Porcello be your Game 2 starter?

Rob Bradford

The Red Sox might need Rick Porcello more than they once thought. So it's a good thing this Rick Porcello is showing up.

After the Red Sox' 3-1 win over the Rays, John Farrell's team now has a pitcher they could actually rely on when the postseason rolls around. Sure, Porcello is still sitting with 17 losses. But when you offer a performance like he did Saturday night at Tropicana Field at this time of year, that means more than anything that might have transpired over the previous five or so months. (For a complete recap of the Red Sox' win, click here.)

This was protypical good Porcello, who allowed just one unearned run over 7 1/3 innings. He would need just 94 pitches to get to the final two relievers, Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel.

Porcello has had his moments in the second half, having allowed three or fewer runs in six of his last starts. But this is the time of year where there is simply no room for interpretation, especially when the Yankees keep winning, and the rest of the Red Sox rotation is starting to leak some uncertainty.

Make no mistake about it, this was a huge step forward for Porcello and the Red Sox.

"We know we’re in these final couple of weeks with something very real and tangible within our reach. And guys are putting it on the line every night," Farrell told reporters. "So that’s the goal. That’s the driver. I can’t say the thoughts are beyond today for the guy on the mound. They all have to go out and pitch and well and tonight was a really good start by Rick."

For one, the win allowed the Sox to keep their three-game lead over the Yankees in the American League East. Look atop the division standings and you'll find two teams that have won eight of their last 10 games. New York is playing well, but this has been a Red Sox team that continue to not give up any ground.

And with 14 regular season games to go, this is going to be all about making sure there aren't many hiccups in the starting rotation. That's where Porcello offered a bit of security.

The Cy Young Award winner has two more starts left, one in the series opener in Cincinnati and another against Toronto at Fenway Park. If Porcello pitches like he did against the Rays, the conversation that was being had a week ago will have dramatically changed. A red-hot Porcello is likely going to be getting the postseason benefit of the dobut when the Red Sox go to set their rotation.

And you know what? This guy could actually end up being your Game 2 starter if those two starts are at this level.

Sure, Drew Pomeranz's body of work this season certainly merits a start in one of the first two games of any postseason series. And if Doug Fister can get back on the track after a rare bad start then he also has earned to be in the conversation. But the Red Sox will not be overlooking an important part of the equation: Porcello's excellence on the road.

Since July 3, the righty has totaled a 2.13 ERA and .190 batting average against away in six starts away from Fenway Park. Conversely, Pomeranz has excelled at home, managing a 1.29 ERA in his last six Fenway Park starts. And considering the Sox almost certainly will be starting their postseason on the road if they do end up winning the division, these trends will undoubtedly be taken into consideration.

The caveat is that Porcello's only chance to pitch in Houston -- where the Red Sox might very well open up -- was not good, giving up seven runs on 10 hits over six innings back on June 17. Pomeranz? He was really good at Minute Maid Park, surrendering just a run over 6 1/3 innings in that same series.

At least Porcello has re-entered what promises to be a very, very interesting conversation.

The Red Sox improved to 22 games over .500 for the first time this season. Besides Porcello, Mookie Betts proved to be the biggest start of the night for the visitors, hitting his 22nd home run of the season. The outfielder is now 5-for-12 in the first two games of the series.

* The Boston Sports Journal

Porcello is effective and efficient in win over Rays

Sean McAdam

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Porcello was one of the very few Red Sox players to not endure the six- hour taffy pull the rest of his teammates were engaged in Friday night into Saturday morning.

While a host of Red Sox players were rounding the bases in the 15th inning to deliver a marathon win, Porcello was sitting, watching and waiting.

As such, there was a twinge of guilt as he took the mound.

“I’m the only guy who got rest (Friday) night,’’ said Porcello, “and knowing how many guys were used out of our bullpen and how much they’ve thrown this past week, it’s important to throw deep into games this time of year. I was fortunate enough to get some quick innings and (get) into the eighth inning. That was big for us.’’

Not big, huge. Porcello was like a machine in some innings, needing eight pitches in the first and nine in the third. In his first seven innings, he pitched to four batters over the minimum, leading the Sox to an uncomplicated 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

That was awesome,’’ said Andrew Benintendi of Porcello’s tempo and efficiency. “He was pumping the zone and getting outs early in the count. He was getting first-pitch popups and when he can do that and keep us in the dugout, hitting, it’s big.’’

Porcello got the Sox to within five outs of the finish line, and Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel too it from there. He had an attack plan early and stuck with it.

“We’ve played them a lot, we know that they’re an aggressive team,’’ said Porcello. “We know that they’re looking for pitches from pitch one all the way through the count to drive and we tried to expand the zone and use it to our advantage. We tried to not to get into these mid-count foul ball battles by elevating fastballs.

“It’s a tough ballclub to pitch to because, as aggressive as they are, you can use that to your advantage. But if you miss over the plate or hang a breaking ball, they have a lot of guys who can hit (pitches) a long way. So you really have to expand and be effective.’’

Mostly, Porcello got some mishits and, as another measure that his trademark two-seamer was working well, a ton of ground balls. And when he wasn’t getting the Rays to pound the ball into the turf, he was expert and getting them to get underneath and , resulting in weak popups on the infield.

It was, in short, the kind of performance that Porcello enjoyed on a regular basis last year when he won the American League Cy Young Award. This season hasn’t been nearly as successful – even with the win, he still has 17 losses and a 4.46.

And yes, those numbers are deceiving, according to his manager.

“When we score runs for him,’’ said John Farrell, “he’s as good a pitcher as we saw all last year. I know the ERA is a little more inflated this year, but when we score three or more runs for him, we’re in pretty good shape when he’s on the mound.’’

Indeed, when the Red Sox have scored three or more runs for Porcello – as they did Saturday night – he’s 10-0 with a 3.69 ERA, and the Red Sox are a perfect 13-0 in those games.

“He was great,’’ said Porcello. “He was keeping them off balance, keeping them off base. He was doing everything – mixing all his pitches for strikes, filling up the zone. I mean, he did everything right today.’’

And quickly, too.

Final: Red Sox 3, Rays 1

Sean McAdam

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – This one was a lot easier – to say nothing of quicker – than Friday night.

It required just three pitchers and well under three hours as the Red Sox defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 3-1, for their third straight win.

Rick Porcello turned in his best starts in weeks, pitching into the eighth while allowing just one unearned run. Porcello was the picture of efficiency for much of the night, getting through some innings with single- digits in pitches thrown.

A solo homer from Mookie Betts gave the Sox a 1-0 lead in the second. That was it for the offense until the sixth when Betts singled through a drawn-in infield to score Andrew Benintendi. Rafael Devers then delivered Betts with a run-scoring double.

Addison Reed bailed the Sox out of a first-and-third, one-out jam in the eighth before closer Craig Kimbrel handled the ninth for his 33rd save.

GAME NO.: 148 WHO: Red Sox (84-63) vs Tampa Bay Rays (72-76) WHEN: 6:10 p.m. WHERE: Tropicana Field TV: NESNIN RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM) PITCHERS: Rick Porcello (9-17, 4.64) vs. Alex Cobb (11-9, 3.59) BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday

IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:

This has been Rick Porcello’s best start in a long, long time. Seven shutout innings, and he’s been remarkably efficient, too, with just 82 pitches. He’s had three innings in which he’s thrown single digits in pitches. He’s shown improved control (no walks) and, for a change, kept the ball in the ballpark. Porcello’s effort couldn’t have come at a better time for him, as the Sox try to put together a post-season rotation.

The errors are starting to pile up for Rafael Devers. He committed another tonight, giving him 10 in just 43 starts at the position. Some have been about timing — hurrying throws that he doesn’t have to, etc. — and some, like the one on Mallex Smith, have been just plain sloppy. The feeling is that he’ll improve with time and work, but it stands as potential weakness in the post-season.

When Evan Longoria swiped third in the fourth, it marked the first against the Sox with Christian Vazquez behind the plate since Aug. 3. Of course, Vazquez’s arm strength is such that teams had only attempted to run against him twice in those six weeks. And for what it’s worth, that steal should have been ruled “defensive indifference” – the Sox were in an overshift to the right side with no one anywhere near third, and Smith took a huge lead without any look from Porcello.

PRE-GAME NOTES:

Eduardo Nunez continues to make significant strides after suffering a strained PCL in his right knee a week ago. For the second day, Nunez went through some early work on the field, running laterally and testing the knee. “He’s progressing pretty good,” reported John Farrell. “With the work (Friday and today), he’s making steady and rapid recovery (from the problem). I know he’s encouraged how he felt swinging the bat in the cage; it was improved over (Friday). Still, there’s no timetable for his return. But what he’s able to do now is very encouraging.” Nunez might be ready Wednesday, or perhaps, Friday in Cincinnati. The big test will come in the next few days when he tries to run the bases.

Hanley Ramriez (biceps, shoulder) remained unavailable for the third straight day. He underwent treatment and is considered day-to-day.

The Sox were encouraged watching Blake Swihart handle seven innings behind the plate in Friday’s 15- inning win over the Rays. Swihart struggles earlier this season with the after-affects of an ankle injury and procedure from 2016, but has rebounded well of late. “He hadn’t caught in a few weeks, and (we asked him) ‘OK, jump in the game in the ninth and here’s Craig Kimbrel.’ Not an easy task to undertake. But he did a very good job from the game-calling, receiving to the blocking….those were pivotal at that time of the game. That was a much-needed contribution from Blake.”

Farrell had Christian Vazquez hitting second for the first time, a reflection of Vazquez’s offensive contributions this season.

SERIES TO DATE: This is the middle game of the weekend series, with the Red Sox outlasting the Rays in 15 long, laborious innings, 13-6. That victory, as arduous as it was, clinched the season series between the clubs, with the Sox having won 10 of the first 17 meetings and just two games remaining this season. The Sox have won five of the last six games, dating back to early August.

WHERE THINGS STAND: Friday’s win was huge, since the Yankees won earlier in the night and were threatening to move to within two games in the A.L. East standings. The Sox’ comeback win re-established their three-game cushion with 15 games remaining. The Sox’ magic number to clinch the division is now 13. The Rays have dropped six of their last 10 and are three games out of the basement in the East, their wild card hopes dashed.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Porcello is pitching with a dual purpose: improve his stock for consideration in the post-season rotation and to avoid the ignominy of losing 20 games. He absorbed a tough-luck defeat against Tampa last week, allowing two runs in five innings. Since July 3, he’s pitched somewhat better (4.03 ERA) than he did in the first half, but has not been able to produce a streak of quality starts for an extended period of time. Cobb is the Rays’ most dependable starter whose every start is being monitored by other clubs as he nears free agency this winter.

STAT OF NOTE: Four MLB games have lasted at least six hours this season; the Red Sox have played in two of them.

LINEUPS:

RED SOX

Bogaerts SS Vazquez C Benintendi LF Betts RF Moreland 1B Young DH Devers 3B Holt 2B Bradley Jr. CF

RAYS

Kiermaier CF Souza Jr. RF Longoria 3B Duda 1B Ramos C Dickerson DH Hechavarria SS Miler 2B Smith LF

* TampaBay.com

Rays journal: Bats silent again in loss to Red Sox

Roger Mooney

ST. PETERSBURG — Once again, the bats were quiet for the Rays, who saw their faint playoff hopes take another blow Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Red Sox. It was the seventh loss in nine games for the Rays, 72- 77 with 13 games left and 5½ games behind the Twins for the final American League wild-card spot.

Red Sox RHP Rick Porcello allowed only an unearned run on five hits over 71/3 innings.

"I didn't think he did anything out of the ordinary," RF Steven Souza Jr. said. "I thought he got some generous calls on the outside of the dish. When you get some room out there to throw for a guy who can locate a fastball, you can get pretty comfortable on the mound."

Porcello has held the Rays to three or fewer runs in his past five starts against them this season.

"I've pitched against them a lot and we've played against them a lot, so we know they're an aggressive team," he said. "We know that they're looking for pitches from Pitch 1 all the way through the count to drive. We just try to expand the zone and use that to our advantage."

Friday is the Kiermaier Show

CF Kevin Kiermaier put on quite the show Friday with two spectacular catches, a tying home run in the 14th inning, a stolen base and an when he threw out Red Sox 1B Mitch Moreland at third in the 14th.

"He did everything in his power to give us a chance to win," manager Kevin Cash said. "A lot of special plays were made."

Alas, the Rays lost 13-6 in 15 innings.

Kiermaier's most impressive feat was his running, diving, rolling catch in the ninth off a line drive by CF Jackie Bradley Jr. to the left-centerfield gap that may have saved two runs.

Kiermaier ranked the catch in his top three, along with the homer-robbing leap in Baltimore in 2015 on a drive by Manny Machado and a running, tumbling grab to rob Toronto's this season.

"I feel I can put my talents on display in many different ways, and I think I showed that (Friday) night with dives, athletic ability, jumping, throwing, whatever it takes," Kiermaier said. "I feel like I'm a well-rounded outfielder. I can do anything out there well above average. That's the pride I take in my defense, but I also feel like I'm being realistic. I still feel like I'm the best defensive outfielder in the game. I don't really think there's a question of that, but that's my opinion."

Friday by the numbers

If you went to bed early, here is what you missed:

24 Team-record strikeouts by Rays batters

37 Total strikeouts, most in a Rays game

12 Team-record pitchers used by the Rays

28 Club-record-tying players used by the Rays

6:05 Time of game

Da Bulls!

Durham plays Tuesday in the -A championship game against the winner of Saturday night's El Paso- Memphis game. The title game pits the winner of the against the winner of the . The Bulls won their fifth IL title since becoming the Rays' top affiliate with a 6-4 win at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday.

* Associated Press

Porcello sharp, Betts homers to lift Red Sox over Rays 3-1

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rick Porcello and Mookie Betts reverted to their 2016 All-Star forms Saturday night in leading the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Porcello took a shutout into the eighth inning, Betts hit his 22nd home run and scored twice and the Red Sox reduced their magic number for clinching a playoff spot to six, winning for the eighth win in 10 games. They also kept their AL East lead over the New York Yankees at three games with 14 left to play.

Porcello (10-17) flirted with a and a shutout until the eighth inning. He gave up one unearned run in 7 1/3 innings a day after the Red Sox used eight relievers in a 15-inning win.

"I'm the only guy who got rest last night," said the 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner, "and knowing how many guys got used out of our bullpen yesterday and how much those guys have thrown over the past week, it's important to pitch deep into games at this time of the year. Getting some quick innings and getting into the eighth inning was big for us."

Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel got the last five outs, and Kimbrel earned his 33rd save.

"To get into the eighth inning the way (Porcello) did, just a great job," manager John Farrell said. "When we score runs for him, he's as good a pitcher as we saw last year. I know his ERA (4.46) is inflated a little this year, but when we get him three runs, we're in pretty good shape."

Adeiny Hechavarria led off Tampa Bay's seventh with a double against Porcello, moved to third on a passed ball and scored the Rays' run when a throw from first baseman Mitch Moreland bounced off a runner on a double-play attempt.

Betts started the second inning with his homer off starter Alex Cobb and drove in another run with a sixth- inning single, his 12th RBI in eight games. The right fielder who finished second in the MVP vote last year is hitting .318 with four home runs in his last 10 games.

"He's on a 10-day run here where we're seeing a guy we saw for two years leading into this year," said Farrell.

Rafael Devers drove in Betts with a two-out double off reliever Dan Jennings.

Cobb (11-10) gave up three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. The two runs in the sixth came after Betts singled on the pitch after Cobb thought he should have had a called strikeout.

"It's frustrating," Cobb said. "To have two tough losses like that coming back home is getting harder to handle."

Logan Morrison was ejected from the Rays' dugout during the sixth inning.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: LHP David Price, who last pitched on July 22 because of left elbow inflammation, could make an appearance out of the bullpen Sunday. He was activated Thursday, a day after a 48-pitch bullpen session. ... DH Hanley Ramirez missed a third straight game after an MRI revealed some inflammation in his left shoulder.

Rays: RHP Jake Faria made his first relief appearance after missing a month with an abdominal strain. ... LHP Xavier Cedeno (left forearm tightness) has not pitched since April 16, but the Rays are hopeful of getting him in one or more of their 13 remaining games.

UP NEXT

LHP Eduardo Rodriguez struck out a career-high 13 in 5 1/3 innings in his last start against the Rays on Sept. 25, 2016. He will pitch Sunday's series finale against RHP Jake Odorizzi. It will be Odorizzi's 17th career start against Boston, including two losses this season.