The Monday, May 24, 2021

* The Boston Globe

Red Sox win streak snapped as Eduardo Rodriguez has another tough outing

Julian McWilliams

Eduardo Rodriguez’s struggles continued Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Prior to their series finale against the Phillies, manager said it would be important that his starter gave the Red Sox at least six innings after the had to cover 3⅔ innings in Saturday night’s win.

But Rodriguez lasted just four, failing to record an out in the fifth inning of an eventual 6-2 loss.

Rodriguez sputtered in the first frame, tossing 34 pitches and yielding all four of the runs charged to him. It included a two-out, three-run homer by .

“I felt bad because with two outs, you need to keep being aggressive and get the out,” Rodriguez said. “I feel like I was a little out of control with most of my pitches. So, I’m just going to keep on working on it and get back to the next game.”

Rodriguez struck out two in the second and three in the fourth, holding the Phillies scoreless. Cora tried to get a fifth frame out of Rodriguez, but after an Odubel Herrera and a walk to , with Rodriguez north of 100 pitches, Cora went to his bullpen.

Rodriguez has lost his last three, allowing a combined 13 runs. The Blue Jays put 19 balls in play against Rodriguez in his last outing prior to Sunday, 11 of them hits.

“Obviously, we don’t like the results,” Cora said, “but I like the fact that in those those two innings [Sunday], he was very aggressive. He was very sharp. Even Christian [Vázquez] told me that the stuff was a lot better in those two innings. So we’ll build stuff from there, and he’ll be ready for the next one.”

Both Boston runs came on long balls. the second-longest Red Sox since 2015, a 474-foot blast only behind Jackie Bradley Jr.’s 478-footer at Colorado on Aug. 27, 2019. It was Cordero’s first since being acquired from Kansas City in February.

Rafael Devers led off the ninth with his team-leading 13th homer of the season.

The Red Sox (29-19) dropped into a first-place tie with Tampa Bay, which won its 10th in a row on Sunday, atop the East. They had led the division by themselves since winning on April 10.

Moving forward, the Red Sox know they have work ahead of them. Each of their next seven series are against teams that made the 2020 playoffs, beginning with Atlanta on Tuesday. They’ll face the Astros for seven games across two series, and the Yankees (28-19), who have won their last six and are a half-game behind.

The Red Sox will have on the mound Tuesday. Richards has been on a roll as of late, with just two runs allowed in his last two starts (12⅔ innings) and a 3.72 ERA for the year.

“It’s been a grind,” Cora said. “We’ve been saying it all along, we have a good team. We have a good baseball team and we know that it’s going to be a challenge in the upcoming days.

“Now we have Atlanta, a playoff team. We have the Marlins, a playoff team. We have the Astros, a playoff team. And then we’ll go to New York, another playoff team. So that’s just the nature of our schedule and who we are playing. When you play in the AL East, it’s not easy.”

Triston Casas, Jarren Duran add Red Sox flavor to Olympic qualifying roster

Julian McWilliams

Red Sox top prospects and Jarren Duran were named to Team USA’s Olympic qualifying training camp roster.

Duran, 24, emerged as one of the Sox’ most dynamic and best prospects last spring, and left an impression at the team’s alternate training site. The is fresh off arguably his best performance as a professional, going 5 for 5 with two singles, a double, and two homers in Triple-A Worcester’s 7-4 win against Buffalo on Saturday.

After an 0-for-5 Sunday, Duran is hitting .278/.366/.625 in 18 games with seven homers, which is tied for the most home runs in Triple A East.

Casas, 21, clocked his fourth homer of the season in his 17th game with Double-A Portland on Sunday, and is hitting .328/.400/.552 after going 2 for 5 in a 7-2 win against New Hampshire. The carries an advanced approach at the plate, proving himself to be one of the better hitters within the Sox’ organization.

“Obviously to play for your country is an honor,” manager Alex Cora said after his team’s 6-2 loss to the Phillies on Sunday. “It’s a great opportunity for them to learn from some guys that were very successful at this level.”

Casas and Duran will have major league experience around them. Former All-Stars on the roster include outfielder Matt Kemp, infielder , Matt Wieters, and Edwin Jackson, with two- decade Angels boss Mike Scioscia the manager.

“Mike Scioscia. What an honor. He’s going to help them to get better,” Cora said.

Casas and Duran staying healthy is a concern, but this opportunity doesn’t come around often.

“Playing for your country is a really special opportunity and we wouldn’t take that away from a player without good reason,” chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom said. “And it can be a great developmental opportunity, too. We wouldn’t grant permission unless we felt good about the care they’ll get and how they’ll be handled.”

The 28-man Olympic roster will be reduced to 26 on May 30, the day before the start of the WBSC Baseball Americas Qualifier in Florida. The winner of the eight-team event, which also includes the , Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, Canada, Cuba, Colombia, and Venezuela, earns the fifth of the six spots in the Olympic Games, with the second- and third-place finishers advancing to a last-chance qualifier next month.

Darren Fenster, the Red Sox minor league outfield and baserunning , will serve as Team USA’s third base coach.

“I’m very proud of him,” Cora said. “The work he has put in the last few years with the organization is paying off. He’s very respected.”

Also on the roster is catcher Tim Federowicz, a 2008 Red Sox draft pick dealt away in 2011 and who last played in the majors in 2019.

‘It’s teamwork’

The Red Sox noticed too many slow rollers were resulting in hits, so before the May series against the Orioles, the coaching staff — led by and — got together with the analytics department. The numbers were eye-popping.

“We were turning those ground balls into outs only 65 percent of the time,” Cora said.

The Red Sox have since adjusted their defense by bringing fielders in with certain batters at the plate. According to Cora, they’d converted 82 percent (prior to Sunday) of those slow rollers since into outs.

“We can talk about defense, defensive runs saved, analytic departments or information departments. It’s teamwork,” Cora said. “And since we made that adjustment, you can see the results.”

Chris Sale progressing

Chris Sale is throwing off a mound, according to Cora and pitching coach . While it’s just a small number of throws, Sale is excited to be at this point of his progression. “He’s building up strength and building up intensity,” Bush said. “He feels really good about it. I think this is a really important step for him to be able to get on the mound. He said he feels like a pitcher again, and that’s a really big step and he feels like he’s getting close. He’s going to be part of the team sometime soon” . . . (left hamstring tightness) was off for most of Sunday’s contest, but the outfielder did pinch-hit in the ninth. The team wanted to take advantage of Monday’s off-day, which will give Verdugo essentially three days of rest heading into Tuesday’s series at Fenway against Atlanta. and J.D. Martinez also got Sunday off . . . (left hand contusion) participated in his third rehab game for the WooSox, going 1-for-5 playing second base. There’s a strong possibility he could be back with the big-league club on Tuesday . . . Franchy Cordero’s 474-foot blast in the eighth inning left his bat at 118.6 miles per hour, and was just his third big-league home run since the end of the 2018 season. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to crush the ball like that,” said Cordero, noting that he’s hit a ball that far before. “It feels great to be able to make contact on a pitch like that. But obviously whenever you hit a ball like that, you kind of don’t even feel that bat anymore.”

Alex Cora content to play the long game, same as he did in 2018

Peter Abraham

PHILADELPHIA — The Red Sox unveiled their lineup at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday. You knew then it was going to be a difficult day.

Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez were given the afternoon off against tough Phillies righthander Zach Wheeler. Manager Alex Cora decided to take advantage of Monday’s scheduled off day to give them an extended break.

“It’s been a tough week,” Cora said.

The Sox had three 7:37 p.m. starts in Florida against the Blue Jays, and many of the players didn’t leave the ballpark until after midnight.

The team arrived here at roughly 4 a.m. on Friday, and the first two games of the series against the Phillies were long ones on hot nights.

“All those quick games early in the season, those were just a tease,” Cora said. “We’re back to who we are.”

If you want to get all John Wayne about this and complain about soft modern players, go ahead. But giving Bogaerts and Martinez a day game off after a night game made sense.

Cora made moves like this throughout the 2018 season, so the Sox would have something left in September and October. As you may recall, but many are quick to forget, they blitzed through the postseason.

When so many teams are dealing with significant injuries, protecting Bogaerts and Martinez with 114 games still to play seemed like an easy decision for Cora. That the Sox were already 4-1 on their six-game road trip didn’t hurt.

Cora described the 224-pound Bogaerts as the “most physical in the big leagues.” Given the demands of his position, occasional days off are needed, although Bogaerts usually resists.

“I can tell when he needs [time off],” Cora said.

Alex Verdugo, who strained a hamstring on Friday, also was out of the lineup. He pinch hit in the ninth inning and reached base on a force out, on second base when the game ended.

With three of their best hitters on the bench, the Sox were predictably held to four hits in a 6-2 loss. They were essentially helpless against Wheeler, who retired 17 in a row after Kiké Hernández started the game with a bloop single.

Hernández singled again with two outs in the sixth inning to force Wheeler into the stretch. drew a walk, and suddenly the Sox had at the plate, down 4-0. Wheeler alternated fastballs and sliders and struck Devers out on five pitches.

Incredibly enough, this was the first game Devers batted third this season.

The Sox didn’t score a run against Wheeler until Franchy Cordero led off the eighth inning by launching a 474-foot blast that sailed over a corner of the second deck at Citizens Bank Park and landed on the concourse below. It was Big Franchy’s long-awaited first home run of the season.

Wheeler finished with 12 over 7⅓ innings. No opposing pitcher had punched out 12 Sox since of the Yankees on April 16, 2019, over eight innings.

Wheeler is 4-2 with a 2.38 . Bogaerts and Martinez could have made a difference, but not necessarily. Wheeler was that dominant.

“He’s really good,” Cora said. “He’s able to elevate with his fastball and he’s got a [] to keep us honest and he threw his breaking ball a little bit . . . he’s one of the best. He’s very impressive.”

Eduardo Rodriguez is supposed to be on a level where he can match Wheeler, but he allowed four runs in the first inning on a day the Phillies rested struggling .

At 29-19, the Sox are tied for first place in the with the , who have won 10 straight. The Yankees are a half-game game behind.

For the first time since April 9, the Sox are not alone in first place. They also play their next 21 games against teams that made the playoffs last season, including getting their first taste of the Yankees. It sets up for a good summer, especially with ballparks coming back to full capacity.

Cora didn’t mail it in on Sunday. But he did play with an eye on the future and trying to get through a tough stretch still in first place.

The Sox were only up by one game after 48 games in 2018. He’s been here before and knows the right path.

Your guide to Fenway’s 2021 concert season

Kevin Slane

J.D. Martinez and Xander Bogaerts won’t be the only stars at Fenway Park this summer.

With the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 Fenway Concert Series will return to Lansdowne Street this summer starting July 16.

The majority of musicians who were scheduled to perform in 2020 are slated to return. Along with previously scheduled shows from Lady Gaga, New Kids on the Block, Maroon 5, and more, Fenway has added an Aug. 8 show from the Zac Brown Band and an Oct. 1 show from the Jonas Brothers.

Even with concerts back on the schedule, potential attendees have a lot to consider before buying tickets. On April 27, Governor Charlie Baker announced that Massachusetts tentatively intends to allow all businesses and industries to reopen at 100 percent capacity by Aug. 1, then later bumped that date up to May 29.

A Red Sox spokesperson said that all scheduled concerts are expected to be at 100 percent capacity and “will be subject to any applicable government health and safety requirements and protocols in place at that time.”

To keep up with Fenway Park’s latest COVID-19 protocols and requirements for attendees, consult the park’s health and safety guidelines.

Guns N’ Roses

For one night this summer, you can call Boston the Paradise City. Guns N’ Roses will make a visit to Fenway on Tuesday, Aug. 3, more than a year after their previously scheduled date on July 21, 2020. It is unclear whether Smashing Pumpkins, who were previously scheduled to open for Axl Rose and the gang, will be taking part: The band is no longer listed on promotional materials and Boston isn’t listed in the upcoming concerts section of the band’s website. A Live Nation representative did not return a request for comment. (Tuesday, Aug. 3, at 5:30 p.m.; $69-215)

Billy Joel

You oughta know by now: A summer of concerts at Fenway Park isn’t complete without a show from Billy Joel. After six concerts, a ring, and a first-ever induction into the Fenway Park Music Hall of Fame, the Piano Man will return to the home of the Red Sox on Wednesday, Aug. 4, almost a year after his previously scheduled date on Aug. 28, 2020. (Wednesday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m.; $59.50-179.50)

Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer

Green Day, Fall Out Boy, and Weezer will join forces on the road this summer on the Hella Mega Tour, which kicks off in Seattle on July 14 and arrives in Boston at Fenway Park on Thursday, Aug. 5, nearly a year after the previously scheduled date on Aug. 27, 2020. (Thursday, Aug. 5, at 5 p.m.; $79.50-234.50)

New Kids on the Block

Hometown favorites New Kids on the Block will take the stage at Fenway on Friday, Aug. 6, close to 11 months after their previously scheduled date on Sept. 19, 2020. The band’s show was moved a second time from July 16 to the Aug. 6 date, and fans who cannot make the new date may obtain refunds through the Red Sox website. NKOTB will be joined by fellow Bostonians Bell Biv DeVoe, as well as other unannounced special guests. The concert will mark the third time NKOTB have played Fenway Park. (Friday, Aug. 6, at 6:30 p.m.; $69-269)

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga and her little monsters will get to hang out with the Green Monster this summer. The Grammy- winning singer will hit the road this summer with the Chromatica Ball Tour, a six-city run of performances that will bring the singer to Fenway Park for a concert on Saturday, Aug. 7, a year after her previously scheduled date on Aug. 5, 2020. (Saturday, Aug. 7, at 7:30 p.m.; $79.50-234.50)

Zac Brown Band

On May 10, Fenway announced the first completely new concert for its 2021 slate, with country stars the Zac Brown Band coming to Boston on Sunday, Aug. 8, as part of their 2021 “Comeback Tour.” Given that the band has sold out Fenway Park a record 11 times, tickets could go fast when they go on sale at noon on Friday, May 14. That being said, the band has never played less than two nights at Fenway and has 11 free days after its Fenway show, so additional dates are a possibility if ticket sales are robust. (Sunday, Aug. 8, at 5 p.m.; $79.50-184.50)

Maroon 5, Leon Bridges, and Meghan Trainor

Maroon 5 will play Fenway Park along with Leon Bridges and Nantucket native Meghan Trainor on Sunday, Sept. 12, more than a year after their originally scheduled date on June 24, 2020. The band’s most recent concert in Boston was an Oct. 7, 2018, set at TD Garden, while Bridges visited the city for an Oct. 4, 2018, concert at Agganis Arena, and Trainor last played a hometown show at the KISS 108 Jingle Ball on Dec. 4, 2018. (Sunday, Sept. 12, at 6 p.m.; $69.50-199.50)

Jonas Brothers

The Jonas Brothers will play at Fenway on Friday, Oct. 1, as part of their “Remember This” tour. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets from Monday, May 24, at 10 a.m. through Wednesday, May 26, at 10 p.m. through Citi Entertainment. General admission tickets will go on sale Thursday, May 27, at 10 a.m. through the band’s website. (Friday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m.; Prices TBA)

* The Boston Herald

Eduardo Rodriguez shows improved velocity, but rocked again as Red Sox lose to Phillies

Jason Mastrodonato

It’s clearly not a velocity issue with Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez featured his hardest fastball of the season Sunday, when he averaged 94 mph against the Phillies. And it was one of his worst starts of the year as he was knocked around for four runs and exited the game without recording an out in the fifth inning.

The Red Sox fell behind early and couldn’t do much against a dazzling in a 6-2 loss at Citizens Bank Park.

“I mean, velocity-wise it’s pretty good,” Rodriguez said. “Every start I’m getting better. It’s just about location. That’s what happened the last couple starts. I just am missing a lot of spots and I have to go in my bullpen and work on it. Every time I play catch, just working on location. If you miss a spot, you pay for it. That’s what happened today.”

The loss pushed the Red Sox to 29-19 as they lost sole possession of first place atop the American League East. The Tampa Bay Rays, who have won 10 in a row, moved to 29-19 on Sunday. It’s the first time in 44 days the Sox haven’t been alone in first place.

Rodriguez, who has 5.06 ERA after missing the entire 2020 season with myocarditis, has to be the single biggest concern in the Red Sox organization.

He threw 103 pitches, 73 of which were some variation of a fastball. But hitters have feasted on his fastball all year. He entered Sunday allowing a .294 average off his four-seamer, a .395 average off his two-seamer and a .200 average off his cutter.

“I think it’s more about the cutter,” manager Alex Cora said. “It’s a lot bigger, he hasn’t been able to get that two-seamer going but I think the cutter for me from my end is the one that usually he uses it to get back in counts or to get weak contact early in counts up and in against righties. And it’s either too big or too erratic.”

Sunday, four of the five hits he allowed were off his fastball. The Phillies did all their damage off Rodriguez in the first inning. He looked uncomfortable and often lethargic from the beginning to the end.

He plunked Odubel Herrera in the back with a cut fastball to get the mess started. Two batters later, singled on a cutter low in the zone to score Herrera. drew a walk to put two men on for Brad Miller, a left-handed hitter who has historically been terrible against lefty (.226 average, .625 OPS against southpaws in his career).

But Rodriguez served him a juicy heater over the middle of the plate and Miller got just enough to lift it over the left-field fence for a three-run home run.

“I think his fastball is actually playing,” Cora said. “The 3-2 count to Miller, he hit it to left field and the ball goes out of the ballpark, but I do believe out of all the pitches, the one he’s actually missing is the cutter.”

Rodriguez labored but found a way to make it into the fifth inning, when Herrera hit a leadoff double, this time off a , and then Jean Segura drew a walk to end the starter’s afternoon.

It was the first time in 37 starts that Rodriguez couldn’t finish five innings of work.

“You look at the last couple starts, I’m just going out there and grinding,” he said. “It’s normal. It happens most of the time. Nobody wants to go through that but I just have to go out there again and get better every day. You’re never going to have 34 straight starts where you go seven innings and no runs. Just grind through it and get ready for the other one.”

While the Red Sox knew it was going to be difficult to rely on Rodriguez after he missed the entire 2020 season, and it was a mystery how his body would recover from the myocarditis, it’s been a disappointing start to his season.

He began the year 4-0 with a 3.52 ERA in his first four starts, but has since gone 1-3 with a 6.48 ERA and 38 hits allowed in 25 innings.

Other takeaways:

1. Wheeler looked like a contender against a Red Sox lineup that was without Alex Verdugo (hamstring injury), J.D. Martinez (day off) and Xander Bogaerts (day off). Kiké Hernandez was the only Red Sox hitter to get hits off Wheeler until Franchy Cordero took him deep in the eighth. Wheeler struck out 12 batters and lowered his ERA to 2.38.

2. Cordero finally announced his presence after two months of struggling. His homer off Wheeler was a towering shot into the concourse behind the first level of outfield seats at Citizens Bank. The hit was estimated to be an astounding 474 feet while leaving the bat at 118 mph, the hardest-hit home run ball in MLB this year. It was also Cordero’s first homer in a Red Sox uniform. With Christian Arroyo likely to be activated from the on Tuesday, Cordero’s hit was timely as the Sox consider who to send down to the minors.

3. Rafael Devers hit a solo shot off Phillies Archie Bradley in the ninth. It was Devers’ 13th long- ball of the year.

Red Sox’ Franchy Cordero hits 474-foot home run, hardest-hit long ball in MLB this year

Jason Mastrodonato

For one day at least, Franchy Cordero helped Red Sox fans forget about .

While the decision to trade Benintendi to the for Cordero and prospects hasn’t been well-received in Boston this year, Cordero hit a tape-measure home run on Sunday that’ll be played on highlight reels for a while.

In the eighth inning of the Red Sox’ 6-2 loss to the Phillies, Cordero got a Zack Wheeler fastball right down Broadway and demolished it.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to crush a ball like that,” he said afterward.

The ball sailed off the bat 118 mph, the hardest-hit home run in MLB this season, and was estimated to fly 474 feet over the first two levels of bleacher seats at Citizens Bank Park. Fans could be seen chasing the ball into the concourse.

“That was impressive,” manager Alex Cora said. “He crushed that one. If they say it was 430 feet they’re lying.”

Told it was estimated at 474 feet, Cora said, “they’re lying to us. That was way out. That was impressive.”

It was Cordero’s first homer since the trade, which hasn’t looked great for the Sox. He’s hitting just .179 with a .501 OPS this year and Cora admitted this weekend that “it hasn’t been easy” finding a way to get him into the lineup.

“I’ve been feeling better at the plate,” Cordero said. “Obviously a lot of coaching and Alex is always on me to just provide me with advice that I need.”

The 26-year-old has speed and power, but his low contact rate and questionable pitch recognition have made it difficult for him to produce results.

“It definitely feels good to be able to get a hold of one like that especially just trying to make contact, it provides more confidence in knowing what I’m capable of doing,” he said.

Meanwhile, Benintendi has been elevated to the three-spot in the Royals’ lineup as he’s torched the ball of late. Entering Sunday, he was hitting .356 with an .844 OPS and nine multi-hit games since the start of May.

The Red Sox have a difficult decision to make on Tuesday, when Christian Arroyo is expected to return from the injured list.

Michael Chavis has been a useful piece off the bench since coming up from Triple-A Worcester. Chavis is hitting .273 with a .758 OPS and can play multiple positions. It likely depends whether Cora would rather have a left-handed bat (Cordero) or right-handed bat (Chavis) off the bench.

Red Sox Chris Sale ‘going to be a part of the team sometime soon’

Jason Mastrodonato

It’s hard not to compare Chris Sale’s recovery from Tommy John surgery to that of the Mets’ , who had the procedure around the same time as Sale last year.

Syndergaard is scheduled to make a rehab start with Triple-A Syracuse next weekend while Sale has yet to reach the live batting practice stage of his recovery. He’s only just begun throwing off a mound.

But Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush offered some encouraging words about Sale on Sunday.

“Where he is today, I’m not exactly sure, but he’s definitely on the mound and building up and he feels really good about it,” Bush said. “It’s a really important step for him to be able to get on the mound and as he said, he feels like a pitcher again. That’s a really big step, that he feels like he’s getting close and he’s going to be a part of the team sometime soon.”

Bush said Sale is throwing off a mound a couple times a week, although he isn’t throwing a lot of pitches when he does. He’s still building strength and ramping up intensity.

Sale had surgery last March and had a few obstacles in his recovery, including a neck injury, some back soreness and a bout with COVID-19. It’d be a surprise if he returned before the All-Star break, but it’s at least encouraging to hear he’s feeling like a pitcher again.

Red Sox prospects Jarren Duran, Triston Casas added to Team USA roster for Summer Olympic qualifiers

Jason Mastrodonato

With the Summer Olympics coming up, the Red Sox could be sending two of their own to Tokyo.

Top prospects Jarren Duran and Triston Casas were added to the preliminary roster for Team USA’s qualifying camp roster.

The qualifying games go from June 1 through June 5 and take place in Florida.

Cora said it’ll be great for Duran and Casas to play under former Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

“It’s a good learning experience,” Cora said. “Obviously to play for your country is an honor. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn from some guys that were very successful at this level. I hope for them they can contribute and do their jobs obviously against everybody except us, Team Puerto Rico. I hope they struggle against us.”

Duran, 24, is hitting .299 with a 1.061 OPS and seven homers in 17 games for Triple-A Worcester this season. It’s just a matter of time before Duran is added to the big league roster, which would prevent him from playing in the Olympics. Currently, there are only minor leaguers and big league free agents on the preliminary roster.

Casas, 21, is hitting .323 with a .916 OPS and three homers in 16 games for Double-A Portland, where he’s three years younger than the average player. He’s expected to be a year away from big league action, but anything is possible with the organization’s top overall prospect.

* MassLive.com

Franchy Cordero hits mammoth homer, but Boston Red Sox can’t overcome early deficit in 6-2 loss to Phillies

Chris Cotillo

PHILADELPHIA -- Without Alex Verdugo, Xander Bogaerts or J.D. Martinez, the Red Sox were -- unsurprisingly -- unable to do much against Phillies starter Zack Wheeler to overcome an early deficit in Sunday’s series finale at Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia scored four first-inning runs off Sox starter Eduardo Rodriguez and Boston mustered just four hits in a 6-2 loss. The defeat snapped a four-game winning streak for the Red Sox, who are now 29-19 this season.

Rodriguez hit Odubel Herrera with a pitch and then allowed a before Rhys Hoskins drove Herrera in with an RBI single through the shift to put Philadelphia on the board. Rodriguez then walked Alec Bohm to put two runners on for Brad Miller, who hit a three-run homer down the left field line to make it 4-0.

Though Rodriguez didn’t allow any more damage, he labored through the rest of his outing, needing 103 pitches to record just 12 outs. Despite Sox manager Alex Cora preaching the importance of Rodriguez going at least six innings after the club used five relievers in Saturday’s win, Rodriguez didn’t record an out in the fifth and was lifted after letting the first two batters of the inning reach.

Wheeler, who entered with a 2.52 ERA, was dominant, tying a career-high in strikeouts with 12 and allowing three hits in 7 ⅓ innings. His only mistake came in the eighth, when Franchy Cordero hit a mammoth home run on a first pitch fastball, crushing it 474 feet into right field with an exit velocity of 118.6 mph.

Cordero’s blast was the second-longest homer by a Red Sox hitter since 2015, according to Statcast, trailing only a 478-foot shot hit by Jackie Bradley Jr. at Coors Field in Aug. 2019. It was Cordero’s first homer as a member of the Red Sox.

Andrew McCutchen (sacrifice fly) and Odubel Herrera (RBI double) gave the Phils two insurance runs against Phillips Valdez in the eighth to make it 6-1. Rafael Devers hit his second homer of the series off Archie Bradley in the ninth inning to cut it to 6-2.

Braves await after off day

The Sox will be off Monday before opening a homestand against the Braves on Tuesday night. Here are the pitching probables:

Tuesday, 7:10 p.m. -- RHP (2-2, 4.60 ERA) vs. RHP Garrett Richards (4-2, 3.72 ERA)

Wednesday, 7:10 p.m. -- LHP Drew Smyly (2-2, 5.11 ERA) vs. RHP (5-0, 3.59 ERA)

Franchy Cordero’s first Boston Red Sox home run measured at 474 feet, but Alex Cora thinks it went farther: ‘They’re lying to us’

Chris Cotillo

PHILADELPHIA -- Franchy Cordero sure made his first home run in a Red Sox uniform count.

In the eighth inning of Sunday’s loss to the Phillies, Cordero blasted a Zack Wheeler first-pitch fastball over the corner of the second deck in right field at Citizens Bank Park. The ball left his bat with an exit velocity of 118.6 mph and traveled 474 feet, according to Statcast, good for the second-longest home run by a Sox batter since 2015.

As impressive as the 474-foot measurement was, Red Sox manager Alex Cora thinks Cordero’s shot traveled even farther.

“They’re lying to us,” Cora said. “That’s way out. That was impressive.”

Cordero, acquired as the lone major-leaguer of the five players the Red Sox acquired in the Andrew Benintendi trade in February, has always been known for his power and slugged 17 homers in 93 games at Triple-A El Paso in 2017. He waited until his 102nd with the Red Sox to hit one out but made highlight reels when he did.

“It has been a long time since I’ve been able to crush a ball like that,” Cordero said through translator Bryan Almonte.

Cordero’s homer was the only mistake Phillies starter Zack Wheeler made all day, as he allowed just three hits while striking out 12 batters as the Phillies won, 6-2. Before the blast, the Red Sox were in danger of being shut out for just the third time this season.

“I was able to get on that pitch and get us the result I was looking for, to at least get us on the board,” Cordero said.

The first two months of Cordero’s time in Boston have not been fun for the young outfielder, as he’s hitting just .179 with a .501 OPS in 34 games. After posting a 3-for-46 (.070) stretch in 16 games from April 21 to May 12 -- and notching all three hits in one game on May 6 -- Cordero now has knocks in each of his last four games.

“’ve been feeling better at the plate,” Cordero said. “Obviously, a lot of coaching and Alex (Cora) is always on me, too, just providing me with advice that I need and being able to stay calm and remember the type of work I’m putting in to get the results I’m seeking. Overall, I feel pretty good at the plate.”

Cordero struck out in 26 of his 55 plate appearances (47%) in April but has gotten better in May, striking out only 11 times in 47 plate appearances (23%). Cora believes the 26-year-old has shown improvements in his swing decisions and timing.

No matter how Cordero’s shot off Wheeler actually traveled, it will go down in Citizens Bank Park lore as one of the longest homers ever hit at the ballpark. For Cordero, it could provide a spark moving forward.

“It definitely feels good to get ahold of one like that, especially just trying to make contact,” he said. “It provides more confidence in knowing what I’m capable of doing. It’s definitely helpful.”

Boston Red Sox lineup: Alex Verdugo, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez all sitting for series finale vs. Phillies

Chris Cotillo

PHILADELPHIA -- Three of the Red Sox’ top hitters are out of the lineup as Boston looks to sweep the Phillies on Sunday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Alex Verdugo, Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez are all on the bench for the series finale. Verdugo will miss his second straight game with hamstring tightness; Bogaerts and Martinez played both of the first two games of the series but are out of the lineup so they can get two days of rest, including Monday’s off day.

Danny Santana, who has homered in each of his first two games with the Sox, will play center field and bat second. Rafael Devers will hit third and Christian Vázquez is in the cleanup spot. Marwin Gonzalez is starting at shortstop and Franchy Cordero is in left field for the second straight day.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Boston Red Sox (29-18) vs. (22-24) · Citizens Bank Park · Philadelphia, PA FIRST PITCH: 1:05 p.m. ET

TV CHANNEL: NESN / MLB Network (out of market)

LIVE STREAM: NESN | fuboTV - If you have cable and live in the New England TV market, you can use your login credentials to watch via NESN on mobile and WiFi-enabled devices. If you don’t have cable, you can watch the game via fuboTV, in New England | MLB.tv (subscription required)

RADIO: WEEI 93.7 FM

PITCHING PROBABLES: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 4.70 ERA) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.52 ERA)

RED SOX LINEUP:

1. 2B Kiké Hernández

2. CF Danny Santana

3. 3B Rafael Devers

4. C Christian Vázquez

5. RF

6. SS Marwin Gonzalez

7. 1B

8. LF Franchy Cordero

9. LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

PHILLIES LINEUP:

1. LF Andrew McCutchen

2. CF Odubel Herrera

3. 2B Jean Segura

4. 1B Rhys Hoskins

5. 3B Alec Bohm

6. RF Brad Miller

7. C

8. SS

9. RHP Zack Wheeler

Boston Red Sox injuries: Christian Arroyo on track for Tuesday return, reliever shut down for 3 weeks with lat strain

Chris Cotillo

PHILADELPHIA -- Red Sox manager Alex Cora and pitching coach Dave Bush provided updates on some of the club’s injured players before Sunday’s series finale against the Philiies at Citizens Bank Park:

Arroyo on track for Tuesday

Second baseman Christian Arroyo (left hand contusion) will play his third straight rehab game with Triple- A Worcester on Sunday and is likely to be activated for Boston’s series opener against Atlanta on Tuesday. Arroyo has been on the injured list since May 9 after being hit in the hand with a pitch three days earlier.

Arroyo was 0-for-5 with a walk and two RBIs in his first two games for the WooSox on Friday and Saturday. He started at second base and hit second for Worcester against Buffalo on Sunday.

“He’s playing again today and we’ll re-assess the situation after the game but it looks like he’ll be okay,” Cora said. “We’ll talk to him afterwards and we’ll make a decision, probably tomorrow or before the game. But it’s trending up and he’s feeling good.”

Verdugo won’t hit IL

Outfielder Alex Verdugo (left hamstring tightness) was held out of the lineup for the second straight day after being removed in the middle of Friday’s game. Cora expects him back Tuesday night as well.

“Trying to give him another day,” Cora said. “If needed, we’ll use him, but we’re trying to stay away from him.”

Bazardo shut down for three weeks

The WooSox placed reliever Eduard Bazardo on the 10-day injured list with a right lat strain suffered Tuesday night. Cora said Bazardo will be held out of throwing for a three-week period.

“After that, we’ll re-assess the situation,” Cora said. “The hope is for him to start his throwing progression in three weeks. We’ll see how it goes.”

Bazardo has pitched three scoreless innings for the Red Sox this year and is likely the first reliever the club would call up if one of its regular relievers were to get hurt.

Houck starting progression

Rookie starter (sore right flexor muscle) has resumed his throwing program and Bush does not expect it to take long for the righty to get back into action with Worcester. Houck is the first line of defense if one of Boston’s starters is unavailable.

“I don’t believe he’s off the mound quite yet but he’s back to throwing again,” Bush said. He had a small period of time where he was shut down completely. We got him fully checked out. They don’t believe there are any structural issues that are going to prevent him going forward. He’s just got to build back up. The positive part is that he was up to 6+ innings before he got hurt, so he has a very solid base under him. I think, as soon as he’s through this little short-term throwing program, he’ll get back on the mound and build back up to game speed relatively quickly.”

Boston Red Sox’s Chris Sale ‘feels like a pitcher again’ as his bullpen sessions gain intensity: ‘He feels like he’s getting close,’ Dave Bush says

Chris Cotillo

PHILADELPHIA -- Slowly but surely, Chris Sale is getting closer to joining the Red Sox.

Sale, who is working his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent last March, continues to progress in Fort Myers and is throwing bullpen sessions multiple times a week, pitching coach Dave Bush said Sunday. There still is not a timetable for Sale to rejoin the Red Sox, but things are trending in the right direction.

“He’s throwing. He’s getting off the mound. I don’t know exactly what dates,” Bush said. “It’s a couple times a week right now. It’s definitely a shorter number of throws but he’s on the mound as part of his throwing program and he’s building up strength and building up intensity. Where he is today, I’m not exactly sure, but he’s definitely on the mound and he’s building up.

“He feels really good about it,” Bush said. “It’s a really important step for him to be able to get on the mound. As he said, he feels like a pitcher again. That’s a really big step. He feels like he’s getting close and he’s going to be part of the team sometime soon.”

Sale dealt with multiple setbacks, including bouts with neck and back tightness and a case of COVID-19, that delayed his rehab significantly. The lefty was originally supposed to throw off a mound for the first time in January but did not progress to that step until May 4.

For Sale, the next step will be getting stretched out in his bullpen sessions and then progressing to face live hitters for the first time in more than 15 months. After that, he will likely go on a rehab assignment before joining the big-league team this summer.

Boston Red Sox top prospects Jarren Duran, Triston Casas on Team USA Olympic qualifying training camp roster

Christopher Smith

Top Boston Red Sox prospects Triston Casas and Jarren Duran are on Team USA’s Olympic qualifying training camp roster.

The roster is at 28 players and will be narrowed to 26 on May 30, the day before Team USA plays its first qualifying game against Nicaragua.

Duran is in Triple-A Worcester’s starting lineup Sunday vs. Buffalo. He will lead off and play center field.

The 24-year-old left-handed hitter went 5-for-5 with two home runs Saturday to help lead the WooSox over Buffalo, 7-4. His home runs traveled 480 feet and 475 feet.

Duran is batting .299 with a .390 on-base percentage, .672 , 1.061 OPS, seven home runs, four doubles, 12 RBIs, 14 runs, 10 walks and 20 strikeouts in 17 games (67 at-bats) for Worcester this season.

Casas, a 21-year-old left-handed hitting first baseman, is batting .323 with a .400 on-base percentage, .516 slugging percentage, .916 OPS, three home runs, one double, one triple, 13 RBIs, 13 runs, seven walks and 16 strikeouts in 16 games (62 at-bats) for Double-A Portland.

Baseball America has Casas ranked No. 36 and Duran ranked No. 90 on its Top 100 list.

Other notable names on the roster include Todd Frazier, , Homer Bailey, Edwin Jackson, Jon Jay, David Robertson, Matt Kemp and Matt Wieters,

Team USA also plays qualifying games June 1 against the Dominican Republic and June 2 vs. Puerto Rico. All games will be played in Florida.

* RedSox.com

Franchy's 1st Red Sox homer went how far?

Ian Browne

It had been a sleepy Sunday for the Red Sox until the top of the eighth inning, when Franchy Cordero hit the first pitch of the frame for a mammoth homer that was truly a sight to see.

Well, at least it was a sight to see until it all but disappeared from the sight of most people at Citizens Bank Park. The shot soared over the second deck in right-center field and then landed near the concession area below.

Cordero’s first homer with his new team was a certifiable bomb, and it came against Phillies righty Zack Wheeler, who had dominant stuff all day. In fact, Cordero’s titanic blast snapped Wheeler’s bid on a day the Phillies beat the Red Sox, 6-2, on getaway day.

Per Statcast, Cordero’s smash had an exit velocity of 118.6 mph and a projected distance of 474 feet. That made it the second-longest home run by a Red Sox player since Statcast started tracking them in 2015.

“I feel like it kind of went a little bit further, but if that's what they got it at, then it is what it is,” Cordero said through an interpreter. “But you know, obviously the result is still the same.”

For Cordero, who is known for his massive raw power, it was the second-longest homer of his career. He hit a 489-foot bomb for the Padres at Arizona on April 20, 2018.

“It's been a long time since I've been able to crush a ball like that,” said Cordero.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who has been around baseball for an even longer time, was asked if it was one of the longest homers he’s ever seen.

“Yes,” said Cora. “That was impressive, he crushed that one.”

The only Red Sox homer that had as long of a projected distance since the advent of Statcast in 2015 was launched 478 feet by Jackie Bradley Jr. at Coors Field on Aug. 27, 2019.

Cordero’s blast was the highest exit velocity of any Boston home run on record. And it was the longest homer at Citizens Bank Park since Statcast has been tracking them.

As the ball left Cordero’s bat, nobody -- including Philadelphia's -- bothered to move. Everyone just kind of stood and watched and wondered where it would land.

“It feels great to be able to make contact on a pitch like that, but obviously, whenever I hit a ball like that, you kind of don't even feel the bat anymore,” Cordero said. “Once you make contact, it just goes and that's all you're seeing is where the ball is going.”

It was only the fifth homer of both 118-plus mph and 470-plus feet since Statcast began tracking. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton both have two.

“He’s a strong guy. Every time a pitcher makes a mistake on him, he’s going to make them pay. That doesn’t surprise me that much,” said Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. “I know he can hit the ball that far and farther than that. You guys are probably going to see more of that.”

Perhaps hitting such a rocket will help Cordero gain more consistency. The outfielder has had a tough first season for the Red Sox so far, slashing .179/.228/.274.

“It definitely feels good to be able to get a hold of one like that,” said Cordero. “It provides more confidence in knowing what I’m capable of doing. It’s definitely helpful.”

Other than Cordero's moonshot, it was a tough day for the Red Sox. Rodriguez continued his recent struggles, throwing 34 pitches in the first inning and giving up four runs (all in the first) over four-plus frames. After a strong April, Rodriguez is 1-3 with a 6.48 ERA in May.

“You look at the last couple starts, I’m just going out there and grinding. It’s normal,” said Rodriguez. “It happens most of the time. Nobody wants to go through that, but I just have to go out there again and get better every day. You’re never going to have 34 straight starts where you go seven innings and no runs. Just grind through it and get ready for the other one.”

Sale throwing, 'feels like a pitcher again'

Ian Browne

For all the gratifying daily events that have been taking place for the Red Sox of late, one of the most important developments is happening behind the scenes in Fort Myers, Fla.

That is where Chris Sale is taking a subtle yet important step in his rehab from Tommy John surgery.

“He's throwing. He's getting off the mound, it's a couple of times a week right now, and definitely a shorter number of throws, but he's on the mound as part of a throwing program,” said Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush. “And he's building up strength and building up intensity. Where he is today, I'm not exactly sure, but he's definitely on the mound and building up and he feels really good about it.”

Sale is close to crossing that threshold from rehabbing pitcher to a pitcher who is in a more classic build-up type of mode.

“It's a really important step for him to be able to get on the mound, and as he said, he feels like a pitcher again,” said Bush. “That's a really big step, that he feels like he's getting close and he's going to be a part of the team sometime soon.”

The Red Sox have been one of the most surprising teams in baseball the first seven weeks of the season. To get Sale back in the fold could be a major boost for the stretch run.

Whitlock’s struggles part of the process

Rule 5 Draft pick was perhaps the best story of April for the Red Sox, not allowing a run in six appearances covering 13 1/3 innings.

But Whitlock hasn't been the same in May, giving up at least one run in four of six outings entering action on Sunday.

“There’s a bunch of things at play with Garrett,” said Bush. “As you said, he’s been hurt [in the past], he hasn’t pitched above Double-A, missed the whole year last year, this is his first time in the big leagues, and [he] had a great first month of the year. I’m sure better than any of us or he ever expected.

“A nice problem to have, but I think he’s also dealing with some of the reality now [that] when you’re in the big leagues, you’re going to have stretches that are not great. It’s , it’s tough, the highest level in the world. He is learning on the fly.

“I think this is normal, it’s part of his development and he’s figuring out what it takes for him as a pitcher to be ready to go every day, how to deal with the frustration and disappointment of a tough outing, how to come back from it, how to stay on the mound and compete. So all those things are part of his personal and professional growth.”

Analytics switch has helped Bogaerts, Devers

If you think shortstop Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers have looked sharper on defense the last few weeks, you are right. And manager Alex Cora divulged an interesting reason that has likely led to some of the improvements.

“Yeah, I do believe both of them have been a lot better. We got information,” said Cora. “It seems like we’re inducing the opposition to weak contact, to slow ground balls. Slow ground balls are 80 miles per hour or less. And it's not that we were having trouble turning them into outs, it’s just like swinging bunts and they got base hits and all of that.

“Before Baltimore [May 7-10], we were turning those ground balls into outs only 65 percent of the time. Since Baltimore, we got together with the information department, Carlos [Febles] and Ramón [Vázquez], they made an adjustment. We recognize who’s hitting soft ground balls from the opposition, and we’ve adjusted our defense, we move them up with those guys. And since Baltimore, we’re turning those ground balls into outs 82 percent of the time.

“So it's a combination of everything. You know, we can talk about defensive runs saved or analytic department or information department -- it’s teamwork. And since we made that adjustment, they’re turning those ground balls into outs and you can see the results.”

Getaway rest day

For Sunday’s finale of this six-game road trip, Cora rested Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez. This was an opportunity to get those players two straight days off their feet, because the Red Sox don’t play on Monday.

Cora initially thought about starting Martinez. But without use of the DH in Philadelphia, that would have meant three straight days in the outfield for Martinez.

In addition, Alex Verdugo was also out of the lineup for the second straight day as he recovers from tightness in his left hamstring that forced him to exit Friday’s game early.

Prospects, All-Stars on U.S. Olympic roster

Tyler Maun

It’s crunch time for the United States if it hopes to return to Olympic glory. On Sunday, the baseball world got its first look at the preliminary roster for the group aiming to lead it there.

Headlined by Top 100 prospects and big league veterans, USA Baseball released its 28-player training camp roster for the upcoming WBSC Americas Olympic Baseball Qualifier. The squad will be cut to 26 for the event, set for May 31-June 5 in Florida.

Baseball’s No. 30 overall prospect of the Cardinals, No. 34 Triston Casas (Red Sox), No. 74 Simeon Woods Richardson (Blue Jays) and No. 93 Jarren Duran (Red Sox) lead the way among USA Baseball’s prospect talent.

Left-hander Liberatore jumped two Minor League levels to open this season with Triple-A Memphis after last pitching in the Minors for Bowling Green in 2019 while he was still with the Tampa Bay Rays organization. In three outings for the Redbirds so far this year, the 21-year-old has gone 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA but has pitched into or through the sixth in each start and has struck out 14 against four walks in 17 1/3 innings.

Casas has been stellar in his first taste of Double-A this season. The slugging first baseman currently boasts a .323/.400/.516 slash line for Portland with three homers and 13 RBIs in 16 games played. Over parts of three Minor League seasons, Casas is a .263/.355/.481 hitter and is still young for his level at 21 years old in Double-A.

Liberatore and Casas were teammates on the 2017 USA Baseball U18 national team that captured the world championship in the U18 Baseball World Cup. Casas was named Most Valuable Player of that event in Thunder Bay, Ontario after hitting .250/.385/.625 with a tournament-best three home runs and 13 RBIs. Liberatore did not allow a run over 12 innings in his two starts for the US, striking out 13 against five walks and only surrendering five hits.

The Americans went 9-0 in the 2017 U18 Baseball World Cup with an average margin of victory of over six runs per game. The US pitching staff, part of a prospect-stacked roster, combined to yield just three earned runs of five total, strike out 101 and walk 29 in 77 innings over the course of the tournament.

Woods Richardson is currently with Double-A New Hampshire and has gotten off to a terrific start. In four outings, the righty is 1-0 with a 2.37 ERA and has struck out 31 with just eight walks in 19 innings. Opponents have managed just a .197 average against him, and Woods Richardson’s WHIP sits at 1.16.

Casas’ Red Sox organizational teammate Duran is one step up the ladder from the first baseman. Duran, currently Triple-A Worcester’s regular center field, is batting .299/.390/.672 with seven homers and four doubles among his 20 hits in 17 games played. Duran is also coming off recent international experience of his own, having played for Puerto Rico in the 2021 Caribbean Series after finishing strong with the Criollos De Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Over seven Caribbean Series games, Duran was a force with a .400/.500/.640 slash line.

Oakland’s No. 3 prospect Nick Allen, Tampa Bay’s No. 12 Joe Ryan and Milwaukee's No. 25 Clayton Andrews are also among the preliminary group. Allen, a /shortstop, is currently with Double-A Midland and batting .297/.382/.406 through his first 17 games this season. Right-handed pitcher Ryan is part of a prospect-heavy Triple-A Durham roster and has made four starts for the Bulls, going 1-2 with a 5.94 ERA, striking out 26 while walking only five in 16 2/3 . Two-way player Andrews is currently with Triple-A Nashville and has pitched seven games in relief with a 4.82 ERA while going hitless in five at-bats. He has yet to see time in the outfield this season.

The United States training camp roster also includes an intriguing mix of players, like big league veterans Todd Frazier, Edwin Jackson, Matt Kemp and David Robertson, all free agents, along with infielder Logan Forsythe, currently in Triple-A with the Brewers.

Additionally, former Olympic speed skater and current Marlins farmhand Eddy Alvarez free-agent catcher Matt Wieters and Mariners farmhand Eric Filia who is trying to play his way to the Majors after playing just 125 Minor League games since the start of 2018. Former Major Leaguer , is one of the returning members of the US roster from the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament when the Americans took fourth place and narrowly missed out on an Olympic berth by losing the bronze medal game to Mexico.

The United States will announce its final roster on May 30 before opening the Americas Olympic Qualifier the following day against Nicaragua 5 p.m. ET from Clover Park in St. Lucie, Fla. The Mets’ Spring Training home and The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches (spring home of the Astros and Nationals) will serve as host venues for the six-day event.

The winner of the qualifier will clinch a trip to the Tokyo Olympic Games while the second and third-place finishers will move on to WBSC’s Final Global Qualifier set to be held with dates to be confirmed after the Americas event.

USA Baseball won the bronze medal in 2008 in Beijing, the last time the sport was included in the Olympic Games. The US has captured just one gold in Olympic baseball history, doing so by knocking off international powerhouse Cuba in the 2000 Sydney Games.

* WEEI.com

Meet Xander Bogaerts, the strongest shortstop in the majors

Rob Bradford

Is Xander Bogaerts the best shortstop in baseball right now? He has made a pretty good case for himself throughout the 2021 season.

But, unwittingly, the Red Sox star has entered himself into another debate along the way. Is Bogaerts actually the strongest at his position.

We found one person who believes that to be the case, Bogaerts' manager Alex Cora (who was the one who actually got the conversation started Sunday morning).

“I mean, six whatever, and 225 pounds, you know, I don't think there's a stronger shortstop in the big leagues," Cora said. "You see the other guys and (Fernando) Tatis, yeah, he's physical but he's lean, he looks smaller as far as like, he’s a strong shortstop. We talk about Alex (Rodriguez, 6-foot-3, 230 pounds) and (Cal) Ripken, (6-4, 220) those guys, those type of guys, and he can make him play the position, we know that, but it gets to the point in certain times that you can see that you know, hey, he's getting on base at a high rate, too. So you have to take care of that too.”

Only two (Carlos Correa, Bo Bichette) have hit balls harder than Bogaerts' hardest of the season (113.6 mph). Nobody at the position has managed a home run longer than the Red Sox' shortstop's 446-foot blast. And only Tatis has a higher slugging percentage than Bogaerts' .602.

But, as Cora pointed out, there is a balance to be had when it comes to Bogaerts' 6-foot-2, 218-pound frame.

Along with playing the ninth-most innings of any shortstop in the majors, Bogaerts has managed more totaled bases than every player but three (and none of then are shortstops).

There are others who come into the conversation. Certainly Tatis, who is slightly taller (6-foot-3), but doesn't weigh as much. Carlos Correa is listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, but doesn't have the pop Bogaerts possesses.

It's an entire package that the Red Sox are making sure they handle with care. Moral of the story: Bogaerts career-high for most games played at shortstop in a season is 156 in 2015. He's not surpassing it.

It's the price of being the strongest shortstop in baseball.

Why Chris Sale 'feels like a pitcher again'

Rob Bradford

For those trying to figure out the date when Chris Sale will be returning, Dave Bush (or anybody else, for that matter) is giving a timetable.

But the words coming from the Red Sox' pitching coach Sunday morning should have amped up the excitement regarding a Sale return.

"He's throwing. He's getting off the mound," Bush said. "I don't know exactly what dates. It's a couple of times a week right now, and definitely a shorter number of throws, but he's on the mound as part of throwing program. And he's building up strength and building up intensity. Where he is today, I'm not exactly sure, but he's definitely on the mound and building up and he feels really good about it. It's a really important step for him to be able to get on the mound and as he said, he feels like a pitcher again. That's a really big step, that he feels like he's getting close and he's going to be a part of the team sometimes soon."

It has been almost 14 months since Sale underwent Tommy John surgery, with the lefty pitcher having to deal with setbacks due to a neck ailment and positive COVID-19 diagnosis.

But Sale does seem to be riding some momentum heading into June, a month that will likely see him start facing hitters during his workouts in Fort Myers, Fla.

The Red Sox' starting rotation has allowed for increased patience when it comes to Sale, with the starters totaling more wins (21) than any group in Major League Baseball while totaling a respectable 4.03 combined ERA (12th-best).

Triston Casas celebrates spot on Team USA qualifying training camp roster with mammoth home run

Rob Bradford

A couple of Red Sox prospects are getting a chance to show their stuff on a bigger stage.

Both Jarren Duran and Triston Casas were named to the Team USA Olympic qualifying training camp roster. The initial group will consist of 28 players, with the number being cut to 26 just before the first qualifying game against Nicaragua.

Both players played for their respective minor league teams Sunday before joining Team USA.

Duran, who was coming off a 5-for-5, two-home run game Saturday with Triple-A Worcester, struggled, going hitless in five at-bats in the WooSox's 4-0 win over Buffalo. The outfielder is hitting .278 with a .991 and seven home runs.

Casas fared muchbetter.

The Portland first baseman hit his fourth homer of the season, finishing with a pair of his and three RBI. Casas carries a .328 and .928 OPS for the Sea Dogs.

The Team USA includes a plethora of familiar names, with veterans such as Homer Bailey, Edwin Jackson, David Robertson, Todd Frazier, Matt Kemp and Matt Wieters all participating.

The group will be playing its qualifying round games in Florida, following the meeting with Nicaragua with games against the Dominican Republic (June 1) and Puerto Rico (June 2).

"I saw part of the roster and it’s a good learning experience," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "Obviously, to play for your country is an honor, it’s a great opportunity for them to learn from some guys that were very successful at this level. I hope for them they can contribute adn do their jobs obviously against everybody except us, Team Puerto Rico. I hope they struggle against us. But no, all joking aside, I think it’s a great experience being around (Team USA manager Mike) Scioscia. Mike Scioscia, what an honor. He’s going to help him to be better.

"I know (Red Sox minor-league coach Darren) Fenster is going to be there too. Very proud of him and the work he’s put in teh last few years with the organization is paying off he’s very respected and for him to be selected for this staff is an honor too. I wish him the best and for them too, this is actually part of player development. Be around some guys who have done it at the highest level of competition or one of the highest levels it’ll be great for them."

How are the Rays tied with the Red Sox for first-place?

Rob Bradford

We didn't know how it was going to happen, but we just knew it was coming.

The Tampa Bay Rays are atop the American League East.

As great a story as the Red Sox' resurgence has been -- with Alex Cora's club waking up Monday tied with the Rays for the division's top spot -- it truly is remarkable to sit here and once again classify Tampa Bay as one of baseball's top teams.

After 48 games, both the Sox and Rays stand at 29-19. Through the same number of contests a year ago, Tampa Bay was 31-18. The year before, in 2019, that it carried the same mark as it currently owns, 10 games over .500.

The point is ... there is a reason why the Red Sox have no problem hoping Chaim Bloom can duplicate the Tampa Bay way in Boston, and it has nothing to do with payroll. This is all about finding a way to win.

Case in point: What we're witnessing with this latest version of the Rays.

The Yankees (who sit 1/2 game back of the two top teams after winning their sixth in a row), they have a payroll of just more than $200 million with one player () making up 18 percent of their payroll.

The Blue Jays, who have slipped to 4 1/2 games back, had everyone giddy coming into 2021 thanks to youngsters like Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, who were teaming up with big-money acquisitions Hyun-Jin Ryu, and .

But Tampa Bay? Like the Yankees, it also has one player making up 18 percent of the team's payroll. The difference is that Kevin Kiermaier makes $11 million this year compared to Cole's $36 million.

Yes, the Rays are paying their entire ream just $27 million more than the Yankees' No. 1 starter.

That dynamic, however, has always been the case. What put doubts in some minds heading into this season was the absence of two players -- and Charlie Morton -- who some believed was propping up this whole Rays way of doing thing.

Well, both pitchers are gone ... and the Rays are still in first-place.

What is fascinating about what Tampa Bay is doing this time around is the reality that it is being accomplished without the eye-popping statistics the likes of Snell and Morton have been usually giving the Rays. Sure, they have an in Tyler Glasnow, but after that ... Rich Hill, Josh Fleming, Shane McClanahan, Ryan Yarbrough and Michael Wacha have gotten the brunt of the starts. That group after Glasnow is costing the Rays right around $10 million.

The scary thing is that the arms are to keep on coming, with the Rays getting back two premier pitching prospects (Luis Patino, Cole Wilcox) in the Snell deal.

When you face the Rays, the arms just keep coming. Starter. Bullpen. It doesn't matter. And they also usually make the most of what they have, as is evident by the resurgence of Jeffrey Springs. In case that names sounds familiar, he was a pitcher the Red Sox DFA'd before dealing him to Tampa Bay. Springs has pitched in 19 games, owns an ERA of 3.20 while striking out 23 and walking just four.

It also doesn't hurt that the Rays' defense is elite, carrying the majors second-best .

The offense? It is just good enough. The Rays' hitters a ton, more than any group in baseball, in fact. And their numbers across the board -- batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage -- are all sort of middle-of-the-road. Heck, they don't have a single regular hitting .300.

But Tampa Bay scores runs, the fourth-most in baseball. And isn't that what counts.

The Rays have won 10 in a row, with the victories coming in all shapes and sizes. And it has left 's team once again in a spot it has become all too familiar with.

Surprised? At this point, you shouldn't be.

* NBC Sports Boston

Cordero showed off insane power on first Red Sox home run

Nick Goss

Bright spots were few and far between for the Boston Red Sox in their game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday afternoon.

One positive for the Red Sox was outfielder Franchy Cordero blasting a home run in the eighth inning. It was his first homer as a Red Sox player.

He absolutely crushed the ball, too, so much that it was the hardest hit ball by any Boston player in more than five years.

Tomase: Are the rallying Red Sox really this good? Here's a replay of the blast and a few details on the power involved:

Cordero's home run wasn't enough to help the Red Sox mount a comeback in a 6-2 loss to the Phillies.

The 26-year-old outfielder has mostly struggled at the plate this season. He's batting just .179 with one homer and nine RBI in 34 games. Perhaps this homer Sunday will spark an offensive resurgence for Cordero? The Red Sox could certainly use more production from the bottom of their lineup.

* BostonSportsJournal.com

Final: Phillies 6, Red Sox 2

Sean McAdam

Limited to just two hits through the first seven innings, the Red Sox saw their four-game winning streak snapped in a 6-2 loss to the Phillies.

Zack Wheeler dominated the Sox throughout. After allowing a leadoff single to Kike Hernandez to start the game, he didn't give up another hit until Hernandez singled again in the sixth.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Rodriguez was roughed up for four runs in the first inning and couldn't record an out in the fifth inning as he suffered his third straight loss.

The only Red Sox runs came on late solo shots from Franchy Cordero and Rafael Devers.

WHO: Red Sox (29-18) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (22-24) WHEN: 1:05 p.m. WHERE: Citizens Bank Ballpark SERIES TO DATE: Red Sox 2-0 STARTING PITCHERS: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-2, 4.70) vs. RHP Zack Wheeler (3-2, 2.52) TV/RADIO: NESN; WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Hernandez 2B Santana CF Devers 3B Vazquez C Renfroe RF Gonzalez SS Dalbec 1B Cordero LF Rodriguez P

PHILLIES

McKutchen LF Herrera CF Segura 2B Hoskins 1B Bohm 3B Miller RF Kapp C Torreyes SS Wheeler P

IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:

T8: Finally, Franchy Cordero connects for his first homer. And it was not a cheapie -- more than 470 feet with an exit velocity of 118 mph! Sox will not be shutout today.

T6: That would seem to have been the best chance for the Sox to break through against Wheeler. Rafael Devers had two on and a big swing could have put the Sox right back in the game. But after fouling off a handful of pitches, Devers goes down swinging.

B5: A leadoff double (Herrera) and a five-pitch walk (Jean Segura) and that's all for Rodriguez today, he throws 103 pitches and yet records just 12 outs. Alex Cora had said he wanted six innings from Rodriguez because of the bullpen's workload of late, but he didn't come close to delivering that. Hirokzau Sawamura on.

B4: Rodriguez is throwing better as the game goes along, with two tough sinkers at the bottom of the zone resulting in called third strikes this inning. Problem is, he's going to be close to 90 pitches before he's through with the fourth inning.

T4: Sox can get nothing going against Wheeler, who allowed a leadoff single to Hernandez, and has since retired the last dozen in a row, including

B2: Rodriguez finally fans Wheeler, but it takes him nine pitchers to do so -- far more than should be used against an opposing pitchers.

B1: Rodriguez leaves a four-seamer dead-red and Brad Miller just gets enough of it the other way, inches inside the left field foul pole for a three-run homer.

B1: Rough start for Eduardo Rodriguez -- two walks, a hit batsman, a run-scoring single and two stolen bases.

B1: Rhys Hoskins finds a hole in the Red Sox shift, and singles to RF, scoring Odubel Herrera from second base.

T1: Zack Wheeler is not fooling around -- 97-98 mph, up in the zone -- and just overpowering Red Sox hitters early with two strikeouts.

WHAT'S UP: :The Red Sox have won four in a row and seven of their last nine games....At 29-18 (.617), the Sox own the AL’s best record; only the Padres (29-17, .630) have a better mark in all of MLB...The Sox are a season-high 11 games above .500. and their plus-51 run differential ranks third in the AL...The Red Sox have been in first place in the division for 43 consecutive days.... The Red Sox own the best road record in the game at 16-6 (.727)...They are 6-1-0 in in road series, with their only losing series at Texas, where they dropped three-of-four earlier this month...: Danny Santana is the fifth player to homer in each of their first two games in Red Sox history, joining Darnell McDonald (2010), Sam Horn (1987), Lee Thomas (1964), and Jake Jones (1947)...No player has ever homered in each of their first three games with the Sox...: The Red Sox lead the majors in runs (247), doubles (105), extra-base hits (171), slugging percentage (.452), and OPS (.778)...They rank second in AVG (.266) behind HOU (.272). The Sox are 26-3 (.897) when scoring four or more runs; only Cleveland (20-2, .909) is better in that regard...Xander Bogaerts, Rafael Devers, and J.D. Martinez are the first trio of Red Sox players to ever record at least 10 HR and 10 doubles each in the team’s first 50 games. Bogaerts, Devers, and Martinez each have 10 or more homers and 30 or more RBI...No other team has more than one player with those numbers, and 19 teams have none. Bogaerts (59) and Martinez (57) rank 1st and 2nd in the AL in hits...Martinez leads MLB in runs scored (38)....: The Red Sox are out-homering their opponents, 63-34. That plus-29), the largest difference in MLB. The Sox rank 2nd in the AL in HR (63)...They have an AL-best 36 HR in their last 21 games and have hit multiple HR in eight of their last nine games. Sox pitchers have allowed an AL-best 0.74 HR/9.0 IP, the second-lowest rate in MLB...The Sox have allowed one or no homers in each of their last 11 games, their longest streak since 2018....The Red Sox are sixth in the AL and 12th in the majors in ERA (3.86) and have allowed four earned runs or fewer in 11 of the last 13 games...In that time, they have a 3.52 ERA....Red Sox pitchers have struck out exactly 13 batters in three straight games.... earned his 11th Saturday, most in the AL...Among pitchers with 20.0 IP this season, he ranks second strikeout percentage (50.0, 40 of 80) and SO/9.0 IP (16.12)...Lefty has made 10 consecutive scoreless appearances, allowing just two hits over his last 7.1 innings pitched. Opponents are 0 for their last 14 against him.... has made 5 consecutive scoreless appearances and has yet to allow a homer this season...The Red Sox have won each of Eduardo Rodriguez’s last 14 Interleague starts, during which he's 8-0 with a 2.52 ERA....Sox pitchers are hitless in their last 31 PA (0-for-28, BB, 2 SH)...Andrew McCutchen is 3-for-6 with a homer in his career against Rodriguez while Brad Miller is 0-for-7 with five strikeouts...Kike Hernandez is 1-for-9 lifetime against Zack Wheeler.

NOTES:

* Alex Cora gave Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez the day off Sunday, reasoning that with Monday's scheduled off-day, it will have the effect of giving them two days off in a row.

* Cora said Eduard Bazardo, who left a game for Worcester with a strained lat, will be shutdown for a period of three weeks with no throwing or baseball activities allowed.

* Christian Arroyo (hand contusion) remains with Triple A Worcester on a rehab assignment, but all signs point to him being activated and recalled for the start of the homestand on Tuesday. At that point, the Sox will have to decide between optioning or Franchy Cordero to make room for Arroyo's return.

BSJ Game Report: Phillies 6, Red Sox 2: Sox fail in attempt to sweep

Sean McAdam

All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' loss to the Phillies, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:

HEADLINES

Sox handcuffed by Wheeler: Matched against Phillies starter Zack Wheeler, one of the toughest pitchers in the , the Red Sox were feckless in their attack. They got a leadoff single from Kike Hernandez to start the game, then didn't collect another hit until Hernandez again singled in the sixth inning. In between, Wheeler retired 17 in a row, with very, very few hard-hit balls. Wheeler wasn't doing anything tricky. To the contrary, he was very fastball-heavy in his attack plan, throwing his four-seamer up in the zone and challenging the Sox hitters to do something with the pitch. Often, they couldn't, as his 12 strikeouts in 7.1 innings attest. It didn't help that the Sox were without three regulars in the lineup as Alex Verdugo was out with his hamstring strain and two other lineup mainstays were given the afternoon off. By the time the Sox started to get to Wheeler and the Phils' bullpen, it was too late.

Rodriguez again not sharp: Before the game, noting how hard the bullpen had worked both Thursday and Saturday nights, Cora expressed the hope that Eduardo Rodriguez could give him six strong innings, limiting the number of outs the relievers would be responsible for. Instead, Rodriguez faceplanted in the first inning, spotting the Phils a 4-0 head start. Three of the runs came on a pitch that Brad Miller hit the other way, just missing the left field foul pole. But Rodriguez was far from sharp. He hit a batter and walked two others. Worse, he needed 34 pitches to get through the inning, all but guaranteeing that he wouldn't be going deep into the game as Cora had hoped. Indeed, of the four full innings that Rodriguez threw -- he was lifted before recording an out in the fifth -- he threw 20 or more pitches in three of them. Both Cora and Rodriguez said they were buoyed by the fact that Rodriguez made some adjustments from the second inning on, but it's more than a little troubling that Rodriguez has allowed four or more runs in each of his last three starts.

SECOND GUESS:

With a scheduled off-day Monday, Alex Cora sat two key players -- Xander Bogaerts and J.D. Martinez -- rationalizing that this would give the two veterans back-to-back days off. In theory, that makes sense, and it's not uncommon for other MLB managers to use the same thinking when it comes to providing rest to veterans over the course of the long season. Load management is not the exclusive idea of the NBA. But Cora chose to give two of his hottest hitters the day off when the team was facing the toughest pitcher they faced all week. And given that the Sox also have another day off Thursday, couldn't he have played both Bogaerts and Martinez, knowing that they'd have two days off in the span of four days?

ONE UP

Matt Andriese: It wasn't exactly a high-leverage spot, but Andriese tossed two scoreless innings in relief of Rodriguez after having allowed 11 runs in his previous six appearances combined.

TWO DOWN

Phillips Valdez: For the second straight game, Valdez had a rough outing. He pitched one inning and allowed two runs on three hits and a walk.

Christian Vazquez: Hitting cleanup for the day, Vazquez was 0-for-4 and also failed to throw out two base- stealers in the Phils' big first inning.

QUOTE OF NOTE:

"It's been a long time since I was able to crush a ball like that.'' Franchy Cordero on his 474-foot homer.

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

* The loss was just the seventh this season on the road for the Red Sox.

* Franchy Cordero's homer was the second-longest in the Statcast era (2015-present); only Jackie Bradley Jr's 478-footer in 2019 at Coors Field was longer.

* The loss was the first in interleague play for the Sox, who had been 4-0 vs. NL teams.

* The inability of Eduardo Rodriguez to get three more outs snapped a streak of 15 straight games in which the Red Sox starter had pitched at least five innings.

* The last four homers hit by the Red Sox -- Sunday and Saturday night -- all came with the bases empty.

UP NEXT: After an off-day Monday, the Red Sox host the Tuesday at 7:07 with RHP Garrett Richards (4-2, 3.72) vs. RHP Charlie Morton (2-2, 4.60) the pitching matchup.

One swing is a reminder of what the Red Sox saw in Franchy Cordero

Sean McAdam

If you've been watching Franchy Cordero through his first two months in a Red Sox uniform, you're entitled to your skepticism.

It's perfectly logical to watch Cordero flail at pitch after pitch, many of them way outside the strike zone, and wonder why Chaim Bloom thought he would be a fair return for Andrew Benintendi last winter. Cordero has looked completely overmatched by big-league pitching and has endured hitless streaks that have literally lasted weeks.

His three-hit game against the represented hope that, finally, Cordero had figured some things out and would soon begin producing on a more consistent basis. That proved to be misplaced optimism. No sooner had Cordero ended one hitless streak than he began another.

For weeks, it seems as though Cordero being optioned to Triple A has been imminent. Such an assignment would give Cordero some time to work on his swing, away from the expectations that come with being in the big leagues.

Instead, Cordero forges ahead, racking up strikeouts at a near-record pace, while occasionally mixing in a double here and there. Before Sunday's road trip finale in Philadelphia, he had struck out 36 times in 92 at- bats, translating to a 36.4 percent K rate. Other than a handful of times, Cordero's rare instances of contact have resulted in harmless fly balls and a lot of rollover groundouts to the right side.

And then, in the eighth inning of Sunday's desultory 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, lightning struck. Cordero got a pitch from Zack Wheeler and annihilated it, driving it just to the left of the second deck in right-center at Citizens Bank Park. It registered at 474 feet with an exit velocity of 118.4 mph -- the hardest-hit homer by anyone in baseball in 2021.

In the time that it took the ball to land on the outfield concourse -- and no doubt spook some unsuspecting fans who wondered how in the world a ball traveled that distance -- you understood what intrigued the Red Sox in the first place.

Simply put, it was a split-second shot of his awesome power, distilled down to one swing. It doesn't mean he represents an equitable return for Benintendi (although, to be fair, the Sox also received one pitching prospect and have three more prospects coming to them soon as PTBNLs). But again, for one at-bat, you could see what the Red Sox saw.

And, wow.

"That was impressive,'' said Alex Cora. "That was impressive. He crushed that one.''

Cora went on to mock the estimated distance, insisting it was longer than advertised.

"They're lying to us,'' he said. "That's like, five (hundred feet). That's way out. That was impressive.''

Of course, it came with the bases empty, and it came too late to impact the score much. The Red Sox had spent the previous six innings being shackled by Wheeler. But it suggested there's more -- much more -- that waits to be unlocked for Cordero.

Asked if he had ever hit one that far before, Cordero, amazingly, answered in the affirmative.

"Yeah, I have,'' he said. "But it's been a long time since I've been able to crush a ball like that.''

Cordero has been labeled a "toolsy'' player, which is scout-speak for someone with unlimited physical gifts, but often unable to utilize those skills to become a contributing everyday player. In addition to his plus-plus power, he also has elite speed. That's been on display at times in the outfield, but because he's reached base so little, he's hasn't been able to show it on the basepaths.

Is it possible that one, solitary at-bat can turn a player around, or even salvage a season?

"It definitely feels good to get ahold of one like that,'' Cordero said, "and provide more confidence and (remind me) of what I'm capable of doing. It's definitely helpful.''

Ironically, it may not even be enough to ensure that Cordero will be part of the major league roster when the Sox next play, on Tuesday. Christian Arroyo is ready to end his rehab stint at Triple-A Worcester, meaning the Sox will need to send someone back in order to make room Arroyo's return.

The Sox could always ship Michael Chavis back, but Cordero has options remaining, too.

But for one day at least, Cordero had documented proof of his enormous power. The Red Sox saw it for themselves, too, a validation of what they saw in him in the first place, but have since not viewed.

Maybe this was the start of something. Or maybe it was merely a blip, a meaningless if eye-opening display of strength, no more relevant than a monster shot in batting practice.

Tough to tell. But sure fun to watch.

* The Athletic

Red Sox not concerned about Eduardo Rodríguez despite another rough start

Jen McCaffrey

Before the start of Sunday’s game, Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he’d like six innings from starter Eduardo Rodríguez. It didn’t seem like a tough request given Rodríguez has pitched at least five innings in every start since April 29, 2019.

Yet the left-hander labored through the first inning, allowing four runs with two outs and needing 34 pitches to get out of the inning. He exited with two runners on in the fifth, the first time he’d failed to complete five full innings in 36 straight starts as the Red Sox fell 6-2 to the Phillies.

After a promising start to the season, Rodríguez has tapered off, and Sunday’s outing continued the trend with four runs allowed on five hits and three walks in four innings.

After missing all of last season recovering from myocarditis, which he contracted following a bout with COVID-19, it’s fair to wonder whether Rodríguez’s issues on the mound are related to the illness.

Cora disagreed, noting Rodríguez’s ability to bounce back in the middle innings as a positive out of the day.

“I really feel confident. What I saw in the third and fourth inning, that was a lot better than the last four starts combined,” Cora said. “There was good rhythm, good arm action, good pitches. Obviously, we don’t like the results, but the fact in those two innings he was very aggressive, he was very sharp.”

Through four April starts, Rodríguez posted a 3.52 ERA with 26 strikeouts and two walks and held opponents to a .209 average. But the 28-year-old hasn’t seen the same success in five starts this month, with a 6.48 ERA, 28 strikeouts and nine walks.

Rodríguez isn’t concerned about his health; rather, he sees it as a rough patch in a long season.

“You look at the last couple starts, I’m just going out there and grinding,” Rodríguez said. “It’s normal. It happens most of the time. Nobody wants to go through that, but I just have to go out there again and get better every day. You’re never going to have 34 straight starts where you go seven innings and no runs. Just grind through it and get ready for the other one.”

Even if his issues on the mound are unrelated to the myocarditis, it seemingly will take time to sync up all the pieces that made Rodríguez a 200-inning, 200-strikeout pitcher in 2019. For instance, his fastball velocity had dipped in previous starts to the low 90s, but Sunday he topped out at 94.9 mph.

“Velocity-wise is pretty good,” Rodríguez said. “Every start I’m getting better. It’s just about location. That’s what happened the last couple starts. I just am missing a lot of spots, and I have to go in my bullpen and work on it. Every time I play catch, just working on location. If you miss a spot, you pay for it. That’s what happened today.”

Boston’s loss Sunday, coupled with a 10th consecutive win for the Rays, moved Tampa Bay into a tie for first place in the division with the Red Sox. It marked the first time since April 11 the Red Sox haven’t had sole possession of first place.

With the team set to play the Yankees and Astros in 10 straight games from May 31 through June 10 and the Red Sox insisting Rodríguez is fully healthy, they’re going to need more out of their top starter. His 5.06 ERA through nine starts is now the highest in the Red Sox rotation.

The Red Sox have two off days this week, which will offer some much-needed rest but also extra time for Rodríguez to tinker in the bullpen.

“I have a couple days to work with (my pitches), have a couple days off, and get back to the next game,” he said.

* Associated Press

Wheeler fans 12, Phils beat Red Sox 6-2 to end 4-game skid

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Zack Wheeler struck out a career high-tying 12 and the Philadelphia Phillies ended a four-game skid, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-2 on Sunday.

Odubel Herrera doubled twice and singled while Brad Miller hit a three-run homer as the Phillies averted a sweep and stopped Boston’s four-game winning streak.

Wheeler (4-2) allowed only three hits in 7 1/3 innings, and retired 17 straight batters after a leadoff single. He matched the dozen strikeouts he had in 2013 for the against San Diego.

“It popped into my head last night after the loss that we needed to get back on the right track and it comes down to me tomorrow,” Wheeler said. “I didn’t put more pressure on myself. We needed to get back on the winning track going to Miami and keep it going. Hopefully, this starts a new little run for us.”

Philadelphia scored four times in the first off Eduardo Rodríguez (5-3). Rhys Hoskins singled home Herrera with the first run and after Alec Bohm walked, Miller hit a drive just inside the left-field foul pole for his fourth homer of the year.

“It was big today jumping out early and letting him cruise,” Miller said. “It’s hard to throw a shutout every time. But when you have a little bit of a cushion, it allowed him to go into attack mode.”

Rodríguez gave up five hits and walked three in four-plus innings. He threw 103 pitches before departing two hitters into the fifth inning.

“I threw too many pitches,” Rodriguez said. “I have to work on that in the bullpen and keep going.”

Rodriguez did not pitch in 2020 after suffering myocarditis that was tied to his COVID-19 diagnosis. He has been trying to battle back and regain the form that had him 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 2019.

“We saw some flashes in the third and fourth innings of good mechanics and rhythm,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “Mechanically, he started mixing his pitches better. The third and fourth inning, he was better. We’ll take that as a positive.”

The first-inning run support was all Wheeler needed. Facing a Boston lineup that didn’t feature Xander Bogaerts or J.D. Martinez — both given a day of rest by Cora before an off-day on Monday, Wheeler was able to mix his four seam fastball with a that had Red Sox hitters on their heels.

“He was able to elevate his fastball and his two-seamer kept us honest,” Cora said. “We felt we put some good at-bats and put a good swing. But he’s one of the best and he’s very impressive.”

Only Franchy Cordero’s long home run onto Ashburn Alley in deep right center to lead off the eighth blemished Wheeler’s outing. Rafael Devers hit a solo homer in the ninth off Archie Bradley.

Wheeler improved his overall ERA to 2.38 on the season. He has been masterful at notoriously hitter- friendly Citizens Bank Park as well, going 3-0 in six starts with a 1.88 ERA, 52 strikeouts and just five walks in 53 innings.

“He’s been important to us,” Phillies manager said. “The thing is we have the full effect of him this year because he can swing the bat. He’s gone deep into games and he’s been great.”

Andrew McCutchen added a sacrifice fly and Herrera had an RBI double.

Herrera has made his case to fill Philadelphia’s center field void, hitting .355 with two homers and eight RBIs in 62 at-bats since May 3.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: Alex Verdugo was out of the starting lineup for the second straight game because of a left hamstring strain suffered in Friday night’s win. He did come up in the ninth inning as a pinch-hitter for Marwin Gonzalez, grounding into a fielders choice. The Red Sox outfielder is expected to return on Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves.

Phillies: Bryce Harper was out of the Phillies starting lineup on Sunday as he continues to try to shake a 2- for-25 slump with 13 strikeouts in his last seven games with no hits in his last 16 at-bats. Harper has been bothered by a sore shoulder that was exacerbated last weekend against the Blue Jays.

“Just a day off,” Girardi said.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: After an off-day on Monday, the Red Sox will host the Braves to start a two-game set. Garrett Richards (4-2, 3.72 ERA) will get the start for Boston against Atlanta’s Charlie Morton (2-2, 4.60).

Phillies: Philadelphia hits the road for a nine-game road trip that will start in Miami on Monday. (2-3, 3.77 ERA) will start for the Phils against Marlins LHP Trevor Rogers (6-2, 1.74)