The Saturday, September 23, 2017

*

Red Sox put new formula to work in win over Reds

Peter Abraham

CINCINNATI — The Red Sox were up by a run after four innings against the on Friday night and had thrown only 57 pitches.

His performance had been erratic, the righthander putting eight men in base. But Porcello expected he would stay in the game because that is what managers traditionally do, they let starting try to a lead.

But most managers do not have a of ’s caliber in the and does. Farrell turned to Price in the fifth inning and he handed that lead over to Addison Reed with two outs in the seventh.

Craig Kimbrel took over in the ninth and the Sox beat the Reds, 5-4. It was a dress rehearsal for the playoffs, the Sox using Price for multiple innings to get to Reed and Kimbrel. That combination can be as good if not better than what any other playoff team has.

“You saw it last year in the playoffs, so many starters went five innings or even less. You need that guy to bridge the gap,” Reed said. “When that guy is David Price, it doesn’t get much better. We’re pretty damn excited to have him down there.”

With the Yankees losing in Toronto, the Sox now lead the East by four games with nine games to play.

“The ball’s in our court. We win, we’re fine,” Price said. “We don’t care what the Yankees do. Just go play our game.”

The Red Sox have won four straight, seven of eight and 12 of their last 15 games.

Price (6-3) was the winner with 2⅔ scoreless innings. It was the 34th for Kimbrel. He has thrown 10 consecutive scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out 18.

Price would prefer to be starting. But after eight weeks on the disabled list with a strained triceps, the Sox felt they had run out of time to build him up to five or six innings.

Plus, Price could affect two or three games in a five-game series coming out of the bullpen, not just one.

“It worked tonight,” he said. “That was good, a good team win.”

The Red Sox loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and scored one run. The Reds loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning and scored four.

Xander Bogaerts opened the game with a single before Reds starter Sal Romano walked Dustin Pedroia and .

Mookie Betts struck out on four pitches. Mitch Moreland drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to left field, but that was it for the Sox as Christian Vazquez popped up to first.

In the bottom of the inning, Billy Hamilton led off with a single and went to third on a double to the gap by right by Zack Cozart. Jackie Bradley Jr. ran the ball down but did not make a play he usually does.

Porcello, pitching carefully, walked Joey Votto on four pitches. His next pitch was a high that Scooter Gennett drove more than halfway up the bleachers in right field. He has 27 home runs, four of them grand slams.

“The first inning was horrendous,” Porcello said.

The Red Sox took the lead in the fourth inning, scoring four times.

Betts led off with a double before Moreland walked. Vazquez continued to produce, lining an RBI double to right center.

Rookie Rafael Devers, who was held out of Wednesday’s game in Baltimore to rest, homered to right field. It was his first in 108 at-bats dating back to Aug. 19. Devers has nine homers on the season.

Porcello had put at least one runner on base in every inning but not allowed another run. That he would be taken off the mound three outs shy of a win didn’t seem likely.

“When you have a lead you usually don’t come out of the game,” Porcello said. “I was pretty frustrated with that. But thank God we won the game and that’s all that matters.”

Absent Price, Farrell likely would have given Porcello at least another inning. But the Reds had Cozart, Votto and Gennett coming up, the latter two being lefthanded hitters. Price was available for 40-50 pitches after four days of rest.

“Hopefully it was going to bridge us to Addison. It did just that. It worked in our favor,” Farrell said.

Price has pitched twice in relief since coming off the disabled list. He has thrown 4⅔ scoreless innings and struck out six with one walk. Of his 61 pitches, 41 have been strikes.

Price even had a single in the seventh inning, his first since 2010.

The ninth inning was momentarily dicey when Cozart singled with one out to bring up Votto, who has 35 home runs. But he grounded to first and Moreland touched the bag before getting Cozart in a rundown that ended the game.

The Sox are 14-4 in interleague games this season.

It’s father-son night in Cincinnati for the Farrells

Peter Abraham

CINCINNATI — Red Sox manager John Farrell treated one of the Cincinnati Reds’ relief pitchers to breakfast on Friday morning. Then they walked over to Great American Ball Park together.

Luke Farrell is the youngest of John Farrell’s three sons. It took interleague play and a series of transactions to bring them together this weekend and they plan to enjoy it.

“I don’t how many times this has happened in history,” Luke said. “For myself, my dad and my family this is a pretty cool experience.”

Luke, a 26-year-old rookie righthander, made his major league debut with the on July 1. His father was able to attend that game, the Red Sox giving him permission to miss a game at Toronto.

Luke was traded to the Dodgers on July 28 then claimed off waivers by the Reds two weeks later.

With the Red Sox playing the Reds, it worked out perfectly.

“It’s a unique opportunity to catch up in person when schedules can be taking you everywhere,” John Farrell said. “Proud of what he’s earned. It’s been an interesting year for him in terms of three different organizations.”

John has always worked with Luke on his pitching but never could coach any of his youth teams. When he was the Red Sox pitching coach from 2007-10, Luke spent a lot of time at watching and learning from pitchers like , Jon Lester, and Curt Schilling.

“I was fortunate to grow up in a clubhouse and be around a lot of guys who showed me how to be a professional even when I was 14 or 15 years old,” Luke said. “I was just sitting there quiet, trying to watch. So many memories.”

When the Reds picked Luke up, head clubhouse man Rick Stowe gave him No. 52, the same his father wore during his career and as the Sox pitching coach.

“Pretty special to wear the same number, too,” Luke said.

Said John: “A touch of class on the organization’s part.”

Farrell has two other sons in baseball. Jeremy, 30, is a minor league coach with the Cubs after playing eight seasons in the minors. Shane, 28, is an amateur scout with the Cubs.

The last major league manager to face his son in a game was Felipe Alou of the Giants in 2004 when Moises Alou was with the Cubs.

Reds manager said he planned to use Luke in the series. If that happens, John expects to feel nervous.

“He’s my son but he’s in the other uniform,” John said. “I don’t mean to sound crass or ultra-competitive, but that’s where we are. This is an important series for us. We’ve got business to attend to.”

A hero’s welcome There were approximately 1,000 Andrew Benintendi fans in the left field bleachers for the game as the rookie played in his hometown for the first time since high school.

“I don’t know anybody who’s not coming,” Benintendi said.

The Sox were off on Thursday and Benintendi went back to Madeira Middle School to be honored at an assembly.

“It was awesome. It seemed like the whole town was there,” Benintendi said. “I’m not one for that kind of stuff, but it was put together really well. I got to see everybody. It was something I’ll never forget.”

The high school band played “Sweet Caroline” and the elementary school choir sang “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.”

The speakers included former Madeira High coach Jack Kuzniczci. The high school also unveiled a sign on the baseball field that said “Home of Andrew Benintendi” along with a photo from his high school days.

Benintendi addressed the crowd as well.

Benintendi saw a handful of Reds games every season growing up and pictured himself playing on the field some day. Ken Griffey Jr. was Benintendi’s favorite player. He also liked watching Adam Dunn.

The Reds selected Benintendi in the 31st round of the draft after his senior year at Madeira but he went to Arkansas instead.

“Best decision I ever made,” Benintendi said.

Nunez progressing Eduardo Nunez, who has not played since Sept. 9 because of a sprained right knee, worked out on the field before the game but did not run the bases. That could come on Saturday. If Nunez plays this weekend, it would be likely be only as a . . . With the Reds using three righthanded starters, the plan is for Mitch Moreland to play first base. Hanley Ramirez would be left to pinch hit . . . President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, senior vice president of player personnel Frank Wren, and assistant general manager Eddie Romero are with the team for the series as the Sox consider their postseason roster . . . Former Red Sox and Reds outfielder Jonny Gomes is working the series for NESN. Gomes had a career- best 86 RBIs with Cincinnati in 2010 . . . Chris Sale is scheduled to start Tuesday against Toronto. He is lined up for the final game of the regular season on Oct. 1 against Houston, but that is obviously contingent on the standings.

Plenty on the line for Red Sox over final 10 games

Alex Speier

A year ago, the Red Sox had effectively clinched the division by this point thanks to their march through the initial weeks of September in tandem with uninspired play by the rest of the division that made winning an AL East title a when-not-if proposition.

“When” became Sept. 28 (Game No. 158), when a Blue Jays loss permitted the Red Sox to celebrate in despite a walkoff loss. The rest of the season served as little more than a platform for celebrating the career of , contests played with -like near-indifference to outcomes.

The outlook entering this season-ending 10-game stretch is considerably different. Though the Red Sox clinched a postseason berth on Wednesday night, plenty lies in front of them. The benefits of winning the division as compared to a berth in a wild-card game that represents a 50/50 proposition for a trip to the divisional round of the playoffs are monumental, a fact of which the Sox are well aware.

“Just getting into the playoffs is not our goal,” said Red Sox manager John Farrell. “Certainly it’s a stepping stone toward other things that we have our sights set on, as many teams do. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

That they do. Even with a three-game lead in the AL East and 10 games remaining, there’s been some can- you-believe-this head shaking by members of the Red Sox as they’ve watched the Yankees march through a 10-2 and 14-4 stretch this month. Yet, as Dan Shaughnessy notes in a look at the good and bad of the Red Sox’ recent performances, the Red Sox have taken New York’s best punch without falling, going 11-3 since Labor Day.

There is something of a back-to-the-future novelty about the phenomenon. Whereas their last two division winners in 2013 and 2016 effectively had pulled away from the pack by the final couple of weeks of the regular season, the Sox are amidst a stretch where each game feels as if it has acute significance.

The last time the team played meaningful games into the final two weekends of September was in 2011, when the team collapsed while chasing a wild card. The last time that the Sox and Yankees were involved in such a chase was in 2007, when the Red Sox held off a furious September surge by the Yankees (19-8) to win the division in an eventual championship season.

The absence of actual head-to-head games between the Sox and Yankees over the final four weeks of the season has taken some of the juice out of the race. Even so, a race it is. The Sox view a three-game set against a last-place Reds team as an opportunity that cannot be taken for granted, a notion that underscores why this year represents a refreshing departure from largely drama-free conclusions of recent seasons.

* The Boston Herald

Rafael Devers delivers game-winning for Red Sox

Michael Silverman

CINCINNATI — Life is still but a dream for 20-year-old Rafael Devers.

He’s only played in 49 major league games, but the latest showcased how good he is and how much improvement he can still make.

Against the Reds last night, Devers hit a game-winning, three-run home run in the fourth inning that lifted the Red Sox to a 5-4 lead that held the rest of the way.

It was his ninth home run of the season, but ended a 107 at-bat homerless drought that dated back to Aug. 19.

Devers, who is hitting .298 this season, is on a bit of a roll with four two-hit games in a row. He has six hits in his last 13 at-bats.

The home run off Reds starter Sal Romano was a reminder of how much talent this rookie has.

“All I wanted to do was just make contact and drive those runs in,” said Devers through translator Daveson Perez. “I was lucky enough to hit a home run and put us on top, but I was really just trying to put the bat on the ball with power.”

So, no, Devers has not changed much. It was time to go yard.

“I’ve just been doing the same thing,” he said. “I’m just trying to put the bat on the ball, make adjustments with each at-bat. Lately things have been going much better.

“I’m just trying to make good contact on the ball. I’m not really thinking home run, I think those home runs will come on their own. What I’ve been trying to do at the plate is just get that good contact and if it goes out of the park, cool. And if it’s a double, then that’s also good for me too.”

Some doubles are better than others. In his first at-bat, Devers ripped a ball into the left-field corner and appeared to have plenty of time to get to second base, but he slid . . . and kept sliding. Scooter Gennett kept his glove on Devers, who slid off the bag.

“Yeah, I slipped and he kept his glove on me,” Devers said. “Those kinds of mistakes are the kinds of mistakes that happen in the game and I’ll just chalk it up to that.”

Over the past couple of weeks, Devers has had a few mental mistakes that have led to some sloppy defense at third base.

Manager John Farrell sat him for the final game in Baltimore.

Devers didn’t mind the day off, but he also didn’t seem to think he needed it.

“I mean, physically I feel good currently,” he said. “But if they’re going to give me a day off, I’m going to take it. But overall physically I feel pretty good.”

Said Farrell: “It’s good to see Raffy swing the bat like he did tonight. Maybe a couple days down gave him a chance to regroup a little bit.”

MLB operates at net loss in fan safety

Michael Silverman

CINCINNATI — Brian Butterfield should not be in the business of trying to save lives each and every day he goes to a major league ballpark.

But because does not yet require its teams to extend protective netting up to and beyond the far end of each dugout, Butterfield has little choice.

Before each game, he scans the fans in the first few rows that sit behind where he stands.

He’s looking for young children with parents who have given their kids the seats to the hitter.

It’s Butterfield’s job to inform them they’ve essentially set a death trap.

“Every night, I look at the people near me and if there’s a little one sitting there, closer to the hitter and the dad’s the furthest one away, I say, ‘You’ve got to switch seats. If you’re going to sit there, you’ve got to protect your people,’ ” said Butterfield before last night’s game against the Reds.

Butterfield is constantly in the line of fire when a Red Sox batter is up, especially a right-handed one who can pull a ball foul in excess of 100 mph right at him.

He’s only been hit once — a Lyle Mouton foul ball found his inner left thigh, leaving the leg black and blue, ankle to groin, for days. He considers himself lucky to have kept the count so low, even as he confesses to some worry given that he’s not as spry or quick on his feet as he used to be.

What petrifies him is what happens with those balls that do soar by him.

He knows that fans these days are not exactly on his wavelength when it comes to paying attention to a ballgame.

He knows it too well.

This June in Kansas City, he almost stuck his hand out to try to stop one foul ball but he thought better of it. A woman standing in a dugout suite was hit in the head by the ball. Butterfield saw the impact and the aftermath. He still can’t shake it.

Even when a disaster is narrowly averted, he can barely get over the close calls.

“Every single time I see a little one that is exposed, I almost get ill. It’s awful, it breaks my heart,” said Butterfield. “We were in Texas earlier in the year, and this beautiful little girl, she had to be about 8 years old, she’s sitting there with her family and her and her brother are closest to the hitter but they’re further up in the stands. And I almost yelled to the parents ‘You can’t do that.’ ”

Butterfield’s premonition was too uncanny.

“There was a vicious line drive that was hit and it just missed the little girl — it would have put her in a pine box,” said Butterfield. “And it hit her brother in the arm. And it probably broke his arm. But I was so thankful that all it got was an arm. I felt ill.”

This week’s heart-wrenching scene at Yankee Stadium, where a 4-year-old was struck in the mouth by a line drive foul ball, certainly brought this long-standing issue back to the top of Major League Baseball’s to-do list, even with teams adding more netting this season.

Even a grown adult wrapped up in every pitch does not have as good of a chance as she or he might think.

“You see the way people try to react but they’re about two days late when they do try to react to the ball,” said Butterfield. “Even grown men. I don’t think that they understand the bounces or the speed of the ball.”

Good luck trying to find anyone who wears a uniform or attends 162 games a year who thinks extending protective netting is a bad idea.

Put it this way: There’s a reason why the tickets teams make available for players’ friends and families are nearly always in seats where there’s netting.

“We get tickets for games and we say, ‘You’re going to stay behind the net, just so you know,’ ” said .

Those who watch and play the games have seen too much.

“The amount of people we see during the game who are looking at their phones and aren’t paying attention, it scares us,” said Pomeranz. “It scares us.”

Butterfield has enough to worry about with his job, like infield shifts and whether or not to wave a runner home. He would truly like to eliminate being on the lookout for fan safety.

“The more netting they can put in, especially the closer you are to home plate, the better — and don’t be afraid to extend it higher,” said Butterfield. “It’s a no-brainer. Don’t wait for a serious injury or even a death. That’s too late, that’s too late.”

Red Sox notebook: Cincinnati homecoming for Benintendi

Chad Jennings

CINCINNATI — From the left field bleachers to the outfield grass, and from the home bullpen to the visiting dugout, it’s a family affair at Great American Ballpark this weekend.

For Andrew Benintendi, it’s a homecoming. The Red Sox rookie grew up about 15 miles northeast of Cincinnati and said his uncle purchased roughly 1,000 tickets for this series.

He did not seem to be exaggerating.

“I don’t know anybody who’s not coming,” Benintendi said. “I’m sure they’ll be heard.”

Benintendi’s crowd was heard loud and clear throughout the game as he drew a walk and reached on an error.

Benintendi spent part of Thursday’s off day at Madeira High School, where he was the guest of honor for a pep rally where a school choir sang “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” and “Sweet Caroline.”

The school added a banner at its baseball field touting itself as Benintendi’s rise from Ohio to Fenway.

“I mean, it seemed like the whole town was there,” Benintendi said. “I’m not one for that kind of stuff, but it was put together really well. To see everybody, I mean, to have a banner at the field, it was awesome. It was good to see old friends I haven’t seen in a long time. Something I’ll definitely remember.”

Benintendi came to four or five Reds games each year as a fan, marveling at the size of Adam Dunn and cheering for his favorite player, Ken Griffey Jr. The Reds drafted him in the 31st round out of high school, but Benintendi turned them down to attend the University of Arkansas, where he became a Red Sox first- rounder.

“Honestly, I don’t think I was ready out of high school to play such a long season,” he said. “My body wasn’t mature enough, I don’t think. I still had to learn how to lift and eat right and that’s what I learned in college. It was awesome to say I was drafted by the Reds out of high school, but there was never any thought about signing.”

Farrell reunion

For John and Luke Farrell, this weekend brings a new twist in the old family business. Father John is managing the Red Sox. Son Luke is a September call-up in the Reds bullpen.

“We had a little breakfast or whatever and walked over to the field (yesterday),” Luke said. “That was cool. Walk with your dad to work.”

Luke Farrell spent his high school days in and around the Red Sox clubhouse when his dad was the pitching coach. He still uses a modified version of Curt Schilling’s split-finger grip and throws a curveball that he learned in part from Josh Beckett.

“I was fortunate to kind of grow up in a clubhouse and be around a lot guys who showed me how to be a professional even when I was 14 or 15 years old,” Luke said. “Because I was just sitting there quiet and trying to watch. So many memories from Fenway Park especially, just kind of tagging along as a kid, that I’ve tried to implement in my career.”

Luke wears No. 52, which was his father’s number as a player.

“Maybe he told (the Red Sox) I’m a lefty knuckleballer or something like that,” Luke said.

Ramirez to sit

After his three-hit return to the lineup on Wednesday, it’s likely Hanley Ramirez will sit out all three games this weekend while Mitch Moreland plays first base against a set of right-handed starters.

“That’s the initial intent going in,” said Farrell, as Ramirez was not in the lineup for last night’s 5-4 win. Ramirez had a pinch hit at-bat and nearly homered, flying out to the wall in left field.

As for Eduardo Nunez, he had another positive day of workouts including running, but not yet running the bases. His sprained knee is making progress, and Nunez said he’d like to play before the playoffs just to get back up to speed.

“I would think first thing would be a potential pinch-hit situation as a first (step),” Farrell said. “But we’re not going to risk anything until he gets on the basepaths and has a better feel for what he’s capable of.”

Sale plan in the air

Ace Chris Sale is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday. Whether that’s his final start of the regular season will depend on the Red Sox place in the division race. Sale is lined up to start the last game of the season, but it’s likely he’ll make that start only if the division is still undecided.

“I think the best way I can answer that is, let’s kinda see where we are at that point in time,” Farrell said. “We’ve got 10 games to play. We’ve been in, I think, a pretty hotly contested pennant race. And while New York has won almost nightly, we’ve been able to answer that bell and we need to continue to do so. So, we’ll see what next week unfolds.”

Reliever David Price rescues Red Sox in victory over Reds

Chad Jennings

CINCINNATI — Even out of the bullpen, David Price just might be the saving grace for this uncertain Red Sox rotation.

Last night, he bailed his team out after a rocky start by Rick Porcello. Price picked up the slack on the mound, Rafael Devers delivered the big blow at the plate, and the Sox rallied for a 5-4 win against the Reds.

This time, it actually made a difference in the standings.

While the Red Sox won for the 12th time in their past 15 games, the Yankees lost for just the second time in their past nine. That meant the Red Sox extended their division lead to four games with nine to play. Their magic number to clinch the division is six.

“Ball’s in our court,” Price said. “If we win, we’re fine.”

That was easier said that done before Price entered last night. Porcello lasted just four innings, put the Red Sox in an early three-run hole and left a lot of work to do.

The offensive comeback happened in the top of the fourth when Devers launched a go-ahead, three-run home run. It was his ninth of the season, but his first since Aug. 19.

Porcello lasted one more half-inning before manager John Farrell decided to pull the plug and turn to his bullpen, where Price represented an unusual solution: a high-end available for multiple innings in a close game when the actual starter was in trouble.

Porcello had thrown just 57 pitches and wanted to stay in the game with a one-run lead.

“When you have the lead, you usually don’t come out of the game,” he said. “So, I was pretty frustrated with that, but thank God we won the game and that’s all that matters.”

With the middle of the order, including two dangerous lefties coming to the plate, Farrell called for the bullpen. He might not have been so aggressive if Price weren’t available.

“No, not likely,” Farrell said. “Even with the extended (roster), we’re probably looking at maybe having to piece some things together there. But, that’s the reason you make the move. It’s to have someone throwing the ball as well as David did down in Tampa. Hopefully that was going to be the case (last night). It worked out.”

Price pitched in relief for just the second time since coming off the disabled list earlier this month. He pitched 22⁄3 scoreless innings with four on 40 pitches, bridging the gap between Porcello and the go-to late-innings combination of Addison Reed and .

Reed finished off the seventh inning and pitched around an eighth-inning single before Kimbrel got his 34th save.

Given the Red Sox rotation uncertainty beyond Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz, Price could represent an in- the-wings alternative should any of the back-end starters run into early trouble the way Porcello did last night.

“All the work that (Price) has put in to get back to this point,” Farrell said. “And then I still — I don’t want to say marvel at — but the way he comes out and throws strikes and quality strikes. We’re talking nearly five innings in the past two months, and it’s impressive to see the way he commands the baseball.”

Within an inning of one another, the Devers home run and move to Price completely shifted momentum, which had been set in the very beginning.

Each team loaded the bases with no outs in the first inning, and what each team did with such an opportunity very nearly was the difference in the game.

The Red Sox capitalized, but just barely, scoring one run for a quick 1-0 lead.

The Reds took full advantage when cleanup hitter Scooter Gennett hit a first-pitch fastball for his fourth of the season.

“Just a terrible (expletive) pitch,” Porcello said.

Gennett had 35 home runs in his first four big league seasons. He’s hit 27 this year. But Gennett’s not the only one who’s seen an unusual number of balls leave the yard this season.

Porcello has allowed 36 home runs, 11 more than his previous single-season high. One year after leading the American League in wins and -to-walk ratio, Porcello is now on track to lead in losses, hits allowed and home runs allowed.

Although he allowed just one more hit after the grand slam, Porcello pushed his ERA to 4.55, the highest of the Sox’ current group of starters.

His latest dud might have been a real problem for the team, but it had a difference-maker waiting in the bullpen.

“That’s what a good team is made of,” Porcello said. “Guys that pick each other up and have each other’s back.”

*

Red Sox 5, Reds 4: Boston shows playoff blueprint in win over Reds

Tim Britton

CINCINNATI — Boston’s approach against the Reds Friday night may very well serve as the blueprint for the postseason.

A half-empty stadium, a balmy night and a last-place opponent don’t usually conspire toward a postseason feel. But in Friday night’s 5-4 win over Cincinnati, the Red Sox played it like it was a pivotal game of the Division Series.

Boston cut Rick Porcello’s start short after just four innings, even after the right-hander rebounded from a disastrous quartet of hitters to open the game. David Price recorded eight outs in relief, individually forming the bridge from starter to the late-game duo of Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel, who shut it down from there.

That aggressive use of the bullpen allowed the Sox to overcome an early 4-1 deficit. Their relievers made a four-run frame in the fourth stand up, turning Rafael Devers’ early three-run homer into a game-winner. With the Yankees losing to Toronto, Boston stretched its division lead to four games with nine to play.

“Bullpen did a hell of a job. They’ve been doing a hell of a job,” said Porcello, who acknowledged his frustration with the early exit. “That’s what a good team’s made of: guys that pick each other up and have each other’s back. That’s what it’s all about.”

John Farrell’s usage of Price showed just how much the left-hander can change the math of an individual game. With Price’s ability to go long, the Red Sox lessen the burden on both their back-end starters and back-end relievers. Reed and Kimbrel don’t need to each extend more than an inning, and a pitcher such as Porcello doesn’t have to navigate an opposing lineup a third time.

Coming in to start the fifth, Price provided a new look to the predominantly left-handed middle of Cincinnati’s order. Farrell said postgame that, were Price not available in the bullpen, he would have stuck longer with Porcello.

Price moved smoothly through that order once, only hitting some trouble in his third frame when he faced its heart again. That’s when he handed the ball to Reed for the final out of the seventh.

Price’s fastball again sat at 95 miles per hour, and his cutter and changeup were serviceable secondaries, if not as sharp as they were at Tampa Bay last Sunday. He did not throw any curveballs, chalking that up to the short at-bats he had.

“They were swinging early, putting the ball in play,” Price said. “Induce weak contact, get a lot of outs.”

He struck out four and walked the one. In a pair of relief outings spanning 4 2/3 scoreless innings, Price has six strikeouts and one walk, with three hits allowed. He earned his first win since July 16.

“I still marvel at the way he comes out and throws strikes — and quality strikes,” Farrell said. “When everyone’s fresh down there and we have those pitchers to go to, it worked out well tonight.”

Porcello, who had pitched well in his last two starts, had about as bad an opening to this game as possible. He surrendered a single to Billy Hamilton, a double to Zach Cozart, a walk to Joey Votto and a first-pitch no-doubt grand slam to Scooter Gennett. (The formerly light-hitting Gennett has more home runs than any individual Red Sox this season, and his four grand slams this year are four more than the Sox have collectively.)

He rebounded from there to keep the game within shouting distance, and in the fourth, Devers yelled.

Fresh off a pair of multi-hit games in Baltimore, the rookie third baseman was the offensive standout again on Friday night. He doubled the other way in his first at-bat — though his pop slide popped him right off the base and into the tag of Gennett. Two innings later, with the tying runs in scoring position, he turned on Sal Romano’s 2-2 on the inner half, walloping it deep into the right-field seats.

Devers’ ninth home run was his first since August 19.

Why every postseason roster spot matters

Tim Britton

CINCINNATI — The final stretch of the regular season can feel a bit like its counterpart in spring training — an endless debate about roster spots.

Who’s the fourth starter? Who’s the utility man? Who’s the last man out of the bullpen?

But whereas the roster is hardly set in stone, a postseason roster more or less is. And if you think these debates can be sound and fury signifying nothing — what does the 25th man matter anyway? — you need only look at the deciding game of the last two .

Last year in Cleveland, after Rajai Davis’ game-tying home run and the rain delay and ’s go- ahead double, who was it that the Indians sent up to prolong their season in the 10th?

Their 25th man, Michael Martinez. Martinez grounded to third to make the final out of the series.

In 2015, in the 12th inning of Game Five, with the go-ahead run 90 feet away, who did the Royals turn to as a pinch-hitter?

Their 25th man, Christian Colon. His single to left gave Kansas City the lead for the first (and only) time in what was the decisive game of the series.

This is to say that debating Brock Holt versus versus Tzu-Wei Lin has plenty of stakes.

With a playoff berth in hand but only a three-game division lead with 10 to play entering Friday, the Red Sox can’t exactly hold open auditions for the postseason roster. Holt, Marrero and Lin — as well as Chris Young and Sam Travis — were all on the bench on Friday night. But that’s the group that Boston will choose one or maybe two bench spots from for what they hope is a Division Series starting less than two weeks from now.

So how do those roster decisions shape up?

The Red Sox are almost certain to take a second extra infielder beyond Eduardo Nuñez. If healthy, Nuñez is going to be playing somewhere regularly in the postseason — perhaps even serving as the designated hitter. If Nuñez isn’t fully healthy, well, the Sox will need an infielder in that case, as well.

Holt has endured a miserable season by any measure. He’s still stuck at the interstate with a .190 batting average, and he has just five extra-base hits all year. He’s a solid defensive player but not quite in Marrero’s class, and the advantage of his versatility is negated somewhat by Davis’ presence as a backup outfielder.

To everybody’s surprise, Marrero has been an honest-to-goodness slugger against left-handed pitching; his homer off Wednesday pushed his OPS against southpaws over 1.000, and that’s noteworthy for a team that has struggled against them all season. Marrero’s also as good a defensive infielder as the Red Sox have, and if Boston wants to defend for Rafael Devers late in games — the potential of which manager John Farrell mentioned in Baltimore — Marrero would make sense as that guy.

Lin is the long shot of the group, simply considering how little he’s played. He’s had better overall offensive numbers than Marrero, and his glove is ahead of Holt’s but behind Marrero’s.

Whether Boston goes with a right-handed bench bat is less clear. Young has served that role for much of the season with a befuddling lack of success. His production against lefties has never lived up to last season or his career track record, and it’s only gotten worse as the season has gone on.

That’s led Farrell to give Travis a look, starting him in consecutive games in Baltimore. Travis certainly doesn’t have Young’s track record, but he’s performed well in limited opportunities at the major-league level.

And that matters. In discussing the competition for a bullpen spot, Farrell has mentioned going with the hot hand late in the season. That’s no different for a bench bat.

The complicating factor here is how much the Red Sox plan to play Hanley Ramirez — and whether Ramirez is capable of playing the field. If Ramirez can play the field, then Nuñez or Devers could split third and the DH spot against lefties, supplanting Young’s season-long role.

How Farrell divvies up the time against righties in that situation is up to him, but it would probably leave him with a decent right-handed bat to come off the bench in those spots.

If Ramirez can’t play first, the Sox may want to carry Travis to platoon with Mitch Moreland.

The deciding factors in these decisions are bound to be minuscule; the impact they have may very well not be. Just ask Martinez or Colon. Both were the 13th position player to enter the game for their respective teams; both were used in unexpected ways.

“There’s been some thought given to it,” Farrell said Friday, “but certainly not anything definitive. We’ll have time to make decisions.”

John, Luke Farrell looking forward to opportunity for father-son matchup

Tim Britton

CINCINNATI — Before the game, both John and Luke Farrell played it cool, insisting they wouldn’t lose sight of the game at hand should son face father’s team this weekend at Great American Ball Park.

“I don’t think I do anything different,” Luke Farrell said Friday from the home dugout. “As far as doing my job, just business as usual, hopefully.”

“He’s my son, but he’s in the other uniform,” said John Farrell less than an hour later from the visiting dugout. “I don’t mean to sound crass or ultra-competitive, but that’s where we are. This is an important series for us.”

That said, there is the chance for something pretty special to take place in Cincinnati this weekend. A father hasn’t faced his son in a major-league game since Felipe Alou managed against his son Moises in 2004.

Luke Farrell, a right-handed reliever for the Reds, is on his third different organization this year. In five appearances with Cincinnati, he has a 3.86 ERA, having landed with the Reds after stints with Kansas City and Los Angeles. John was there for Luke’s major-league debut earlier this season with the Royals, missing a Red Sox game in Toronto to make the trip.

Cincinnati manager Bryan Price said he would look for a chance to get Luke into one of the games this weekend, if possible.

The Reds assigned Luke No. 52 — the same number his father wore for much of his career.

“A touch of class on the organization’s part,” said John. “Of all the organizations, this might be the one that is maybe more adept at the father-son combinations, from the Boones to the Bells. They’re probably more versed at it than anyone.”

“Pretty special,” Luke said of wearing 52.

The two were able to spend some time together Thursday on Boston’s off-day, and they shared a walk to the ballpark. Both father and son recognized that the in-game emotions might not be as calm as the pregame talk.

“Just one of those cool things,” Luke said. “Baseball represents the opportunity for this to happen. Not many other career or jobs allow this to happen, so why not just enjoy it?”

* The Springfield Republican

David Price looked exactly like Andrew Miller in Sox win despite John Farrell resisting comparison

Christopher Smith

CINCINNATI -- Red Sox manager John Farrell refused to compare David Price to Andrew Miller earlier this week.

"It's David Price. It's not Andrew Miller," Farrell said. "So to even suggest that is too premature."

But Price -- who will pitch out of the bullpen for the remainder of the regular season and during the postseason -- looked exactly like Andrew Miller during the Red Sox's 5-4 win over the Reds here at Great American Ball Park on Friday.

Miller was Cleveland's 2016 postseason MVP. He worked multiple innings per game, bridging the gap from the starting pitcher to closer Cody Allen.

Price bridged the gap Friday from starter Rick Porcello, who left after four innings, to Addison Reed, who entered with two outs in the seventh.

The Red Sox lefty hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed three hits and one walk. He struck out four.

"I don't know if that's the combination you're always looking at," Red Sox manager John Farrell said about Price bridging the gap from the starter to Reed, who then handed the lead to closer Craig Kimbrel. "That's the way it turned out tonight. Felt like after the efficient two innings of work on Sunday, David was good for 40 to 50 pitches. Hopefully it was going to bridge us to Addison. It did just that. So it worked in our favor.

"I just felt like with the left-hander in David, going up against the heat of that order was the move to make. I know Rick did not want to come out of that game and I fully respect that."

In the sixth, Price struck out Adam Duvall swinging on a 95.1 mph four-seam fastball, retired Tucker Barnhart looking on a 94.9 mph heater and then struck out Patrick Kivlehan swinging on a 90.9 mph cutter.

He struck out Scooter Gennett, the final hitter he faced, on a 95.2 mph fastball.

Reed allowed just one hit and struck out one over 1 1/3 innings.

"Addison Reed is doing an excellent job here over the last two weeks or so," Farrell said. "And as good as that bullpen has been pitching, that was another five strong innings here tonight."

Indians manager was able to remove starters after four and five innings during some 2016 postseason games because of the length Miller gave him.

Farrell should have that same luxury this postseason with Price.

The bullpen is the Red Sox's strength. It has been all season long.

Boston used 11 pitchers on last year's ALDS roster: four starters and seven relievers.

Kimbrel, Price, Reed and Joe Kelly are locks to make the roster. Carson Smith seems like a very strong candidate at this point.

Matt Barnes, Austin Maddox, and Robby Scott all are competing for spots. Eduardo Rodriguez would be given a bullpen role if he doesn't make the playoff rotation.

The Red Sox offense has been hit-or-miss all season. It's certainly not a strength. But if Boston grabs an early lead, the bullpen has the ability to finish games.

Whether the Red Sox like it or not -- and whether Price does or doesn't like the comparison -- he is this team's Andrew Miller come October.

Farrell's Sox will win AL East, deserve credit for not giving surging Yankees any chance to steal it

Christopher Smith

CINCINNATI -- The Red Sox are 2017 AL East championships. Mark it down.

Sure, they haven't officially clinched. But it's inevitable at this point and it might happen by Tuesday.

The Red Sox's Magic Number dropped to 6 with their 5-4 win over the Reds here at Great American Ball Park on Friday combined with the Yankees' 8-1 loss to the Blue Jays in Toronto.

The Red Sox and Yankees each have nine games remaining. If the Red Sox were to go 5-4, the Yankees would need to go 9-0 to overtake them.

And therefore, it's over. See ya in October.

Why am I so confident this team won't collapse over the final week? Look at what the Sox have done since leaving New York on Sept. 3.

John Farrell's club, which posted its 41st come-from-behind win Friday, hasn't given the Yankees even the slightest little opening to steal the division over the past couple weeks.

The Yanks have gone 12-5 since Sept. 3, but they actually have lost a half game because the Red Sox have gone 12-4.

"While New York has won almost nightly, we've been able to answer that bell and we need to continue to do so," Farrell said.

Yes, this team has issues. Rick Porcello gave up four runs in 4 innings Friday. It's unclear who will start Game 3 of the ALDS. The Red Sox offense has been hit-or-miss (and lacking power) all season.

But this team has fight. The 2017 Red Sox have proved to be the exact opposite of the 2011 Red Sox.

"We've been in first place for a long time now," David Price said. "Ball's in our court. We win, we're fine."

The Red Sox have kept winning to prevent the surging Yankees from picking up any ground in the standings. Finally, New York lost Friday and now it appears Boston has wrapped up the division.

"We don't care what the Yankees do," Price said. "Just go play our game."

The Red Sox took their foot off the gas in 2016 after clinching with four regular season games remaining. Boston went 1-5 in its final six games last year after an 11-game winning streak.

This Red Sox team should learn from the mistakes of last year's club. Even if Boston clinches early this coming week, don't let up. Stay hot. Go into the playoffs playing strong baseball.

"It's still a race right now, so that's good," Price said. "We didn't play meaningful baseball games at the end of the year last year. ... Whenever you play meaningful baseball games for 160-162 games, that keeps everybody on their toes."

Devers belts 3-run homer, Price earns win for Boston Red Sox who increase lead over Yankees to 4

Christopher Smith

CINCINNATI -- The Red Sox squandered a golden opportunity during the first inning. They loaded the bases with no outs but scored only one run.

The Reds, on the other hand, didn't squander their bases-loaded opportunity in the bottom half of the first with no outs. Scooter Gennett crushed a grand slam.

But a 4-1 deficit was no obstacle for the Red Sox who posted their 41st come-from-behind victory. Boston won 5-4 here at Great American Ball Park.

The Yankees lost 8-1 to the Yankees. And so Boston's AL East lead increased to 4 games with nine games left to play for each club.

The Red Sox certainly didn't squander their fourth-inning chance. Christian Vazquez's RBI double and Rafael Devers' three-run homer put the Red Sox back in the lead.

More home runs (242) have been hit at Great American Ball Park than any other NL park this season. So it was the perfect place for Devers' homer drought -- which dated back to Aug. 19 -- to end.

Devers went 2-for-4 with a double and homer. He has nine homers, 11 doubles and 24 RBIs in 49 games.

David Price earns win

Rick Porcello struggled, lasting only 4 innings and giving up four runs, four hits and three walks while striking out three. He surrendered the grand slam to Gennett.

David Price took over for Porcello in the fifth and he earned the win.

The lefty -- making his second relief appearance since returning from the DL -- hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and one walk and struck out four.

In the sixth, he struck out Adam Duvall swinging on a 95.1 mph four-seam fastball, retired Tucker Barnhart looking on a 94.9 mph heater and then struck out Patrick Kivlehan swinging on a 90.9 mph cutter.

He struck out Scooter Gennett, the final hitter he faced, on a 95.2 mph fastball.

He also stroked his third career hit.

David Price, Boston Red Sox lefty, singles to the opposite field for his third career hit

Christopher Smith

CINCINNATI -- David Price pitched in relief for the Red Sox here Friday at Great American Ball Park. He struck out the side during the sixth, then did something perhaps more impressive in the top half of the seventh.

The left-handed hurler led off the seventh with an opposite field single to left field. It came on a 93.8 mph four-seamer from Reds righty Asher Wojciechowski.

Price is 3-for-48 (.063) in his career.

Price was extremely sharp on the mound. He hurled 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowed three hits and one walk and struck out four.

In the sixth, he struck out Adam Duvall swinging on a 95.1 mph four-seam fastball, retired Tucker Barnhart looking on a 94.9 mph heater and then struck out Patrick Kivlehan swinging on a 90.9 mph cutter.

He struck out Scooter Gennett, the final hitter he faced, on a 95.2 mph fastball.

Andrew Benintendi visited old school where 4th grade choir sang 'Sweet Caroline'

Christopher Smith

CINCINNATI -- Red Sox rookie Andrew Benintendi, a Cincinnati native, spent his day off Thursday at Madeira Middle School where he received an impressive welcome home party.

"It was awesome," said Benintendi, a graduate of Madeira Middle School and Madeira High. "I'm not one for that kind of stuff and it was put together really well. To see everyone. To have a banner at the field. It was awesome. It was good to see old friends I haven't seen in a long time. It's something I'll definitely remember."

He said the fourth grade choir sang '"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Sweet Caroline," the eighth- inning song at Fenway Park.

The band also played Sweet Caroline:

Benintendi might have nearly 1,000 family and friends in the bleachers today and over the weekend as the Red Sox play three games against the Reds here at Great American Ball Park.

"I don't know anyone who's not coming," Benintendi said.

He added, "They'll be here. I'm sure they'll be heard."

He's looking forward to hitting here. More home runs (240) have been hit at Great American Ball Park than any other NL park this season.

"I heard the ball flies here," he said. "It's not like Fenway where you have to hit it 400 feet to right-center for a homer. So I'm looking forward to going out there and seeing it in BP."

* The New Hampshire Union Leader

Mike Shalin's Working Press: Playoff-bound Sox are hot at the right time

Mike Shalin

It really came down to a formality, but the Red Sox are back in the postseason for the second straight season (yes, last year counts.)

These are their first back-to-back trips to the October fun since going three straight years from 2007-09.

They have gotten hot at the right time, and this year they don’t have to deal with all the David Ortiz fanfare in the final week.

It’s easy to forget that before losing five of their last six games amid the Ortiz stuff and then getting swept by the Indians in the ALDS that the Red Sox had won 11 straight games before the miserable ending, thus salting away the division. This September, they’ve again gotten hot at the right time and are holding the surging Yankees at bay entering the final 10 games.

Consider this: The Yankees swept the Twins in New York this week, all but clinching at least a wild card spot. Through Wednesday, they had won 14 of their last 18 games — a run usually worthy of making up ground. The Red Sox, though, swept the Orioles in Baltimore and have won 11 of their last 14.

So, the lead is three and it appears the only thing the Red Sox have in front of them is waiting to see if they will play Houston or Cleveland in the first round. Oddly, with four games here against the Astros next weekend, they could have something to say about that, which presents a potentially interesting scenario.

It seems to be no secret around New England and probably around baseball that the Red Sox would be better off avoiding the Indians in the return ALDS matchup, right? OK, let’s say we enter the final four games and the Astros, who trailed Cleveland by 1½ games through Wednesday night, are tied with the Indians for best record. The Red Sox could then be in a position of creating a tougher matchup for themselves if they lose, say, three out of four to the ’Stros.

In other words, they could be fighting for their own playoff lives even though they’re cemented in the third seed. Interesting.

Bullpen takes shape

After sending a message out of Facebook the other night, I have to talk about something regarding John Farrell: For all the heat this guy takes — even when he wins — let’s not overlook the job he is doing with his bullpen.

Basically, the return of Carson Smith and the addition of David Price to the ’pen have given the Boston bullpen a bit of that look that tends to be so important in the postseason. This group is deep and Farrell has managed to get these guys, including Smith, ready for multiple roles. And, for the second straight year, his team has rallied in September and he deserves credit for that too.

Now, the starters.

We had Doug Fister penciled in as No. 3 but his quick drop and the apparent return to form of Rick Porcello changes all that. Now, it looks like Fister will be fighting Eduardo Rodriguez for the fourth start — and probably for a spot on the roster.

Pats getting healthier?

Newcomer Brandin Cooks, asked Wednesday what it was like to see fellow receivers Danny Amendola, Chris Hogan and Philip Dorsett back on the practice field, said, “It was awesome.”

No guarantees for Sunday against the battered and bruised Texans, but Dont’a Hightower was also back at practice and Rob Gronkowski was at least out there, even though he was listed as a non-participant. Gronkowski was listed as a limited participant on Thursday.

J.J. Watt, who did not play against the Pats in last year’s playoff game, comes to Foxborough with exactly no sacks of Tom Brady in four career games.

The Texans have never won at Gillette and the Pats lead the series 8-1, counting playoffs.

You have to keep an eye on Deshaun Watson, who will be making his second pro start Sunday, but Bill Belichick is 8-0 against visiting rookie QBs, who have thrown five touchdowns and 16 interceptions and run up a 50.7 passer rating in those eight games.

Worthy cause

Watt revealed Wednesday that Brady had donated $100,000 and Belichick $50,000 to his Hurricane Harvey relief effort. Brady didn’t want to take much credit and said, “I think everybody was pretty touched by what happened,” Brady said. “I have a lot friends down there. I’d rather not comment too much, other than a lot of people need a lot of help.”

Another worthy cause: added box seat netting in MLB parks after that little girl was hit in the face by a line drive Wednesday. Ten teams have already extended their netting and the guess is all will by next season — the Yankees likely to have it when they return home to play Monday.

Not worth reading?

Belichick said Wednesday he will not read Brady’s new health and fitness book “The TB12 Method.” “We see Tom every day,” the coach said. “I don’t really feel like we need to read a book.” Said Brady, after shrugging: “Maybe I’ll give it to him at Christmas.”

The Vegas Golden Knights have a fun feed. After winning their first two preseason games, they bragged about having more wins than the Patriots, Cowboys and “the Washington Pro Football Club.” Then, they knocked the Canadiens, the Yankees of their sport, proclaiming, “We’re definitely proud! But not as proud as @CanadiensMTL are of how many championships they won when there were only 6 teams in the league.”

Torey Krug will be re-evaluated in three weeks after breaking his jaw Tuesday — not a great sign for a questionable Bruins defense. … Finally, after the Knights scored nine goals in their first game, column pal Ken Powtak pointed out “they should have scored seven” because that’s a Vegas magic number.

* RedSox.com

Sox storm back vs. Reds, pad AL East lead

Ian Browne and Mark Sheldon

CINCINNATI -- The Red Sox endured the early body blow of a grand slam by Cincinnati's Scooter Gennett and then stormed back with big hits and clutch relief to pull out a 5-4 victory over the Reds on Friday night that reduced their magic number for clinching the to six.

Rafael Devers belted a three-run homer in the fourth to put the Red Sox in front. The bullpen, led by David Price, took it from there.

The 89-64 Red Sox lead the Yankees by four games with nine games left.

"We've been in first place for a long time now. Ball's in our court," said Price. "If we win, we're fine."

It was Price who got the win in this one, his first since July 4. Making his second relief appearance since being activated off the disabled list, Price fired 2 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out the side in the sixth. He even added a single to left for his first hit since 2010 and third in his career.

Things didn't look good for the Red Sox when Gennett crushed his grand slam to right-center against Rick Porcello with nobody out in the bottom of the first to make it 4-1, Cincinnati. It was Gennett's fourth grand slam of the season to set a Reds record. Gennett also became the first player in big league history to have a four-homer game and three grand slams or more in the same season.

"I didn't feel great," said Porcello. "Was pretty much grinding the entire time. Obviously the first inning was horrendous and trying to right the ship and get everything squared away. Boys did a hell of a job coming back and putting up four there and taking the lead. That was pretty much it."

Boston's bullpen pitched five scoreless innings after Porcello's exit.

"Going to David Price against the heat of their order, he throws 2 2/3 very good innings," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "And then Addison Reed is doing an excellent job here over the last two weeks or so. As good as that bullpen is pitching, that was another five strong innings tonight."

Reds rookie Sal Romano, who was 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA over his last six starts and was coming off eight scoreless innings last Saturday vs. the Pirates, had his night ruined in the fourth, when he gave up four runs. In the first inning, he survived a bases-loaded, no-outs situation by allowing only Mitch Moreland's sacrifice fly.

"I hung a few breaking balls. I wasn't very sharp the whole game," said Romano, who allowed five earned runs and five hits over four innings with four walks and three strikeouts. "I was happy I was able to get out of the first inning with just the one run. Scooter came up with the grand slam right there and my job was to throw zeros after that. I fell into some trouble and made some bad pitches. I've got to learn from it."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Devers ends power drought: After hitting eight home runs in his first 77 at-bats for the Red Sox, Devers had gone 107 at-bats without one before belting a towering three-run shot to right in the top of the fourth inning that gave the Red Sox the lead back at 5-4. According to Statcast™, the drive had an exit velocity of 101 mph and traveled a projected distance of 394 feet.

"All I wanted to do was just make contact and drive those runs in," said Devers. "I was lucky enough to hit a home run and put us on top, but I was really just trying to put the bat on the ball with power."

Vazquez nails Hamilton: In a matchup that pitted the best basestealer in the game against one of the strongest throwing catchers, Christian Vazquez won out. The intriguing matchup happened in the bottom of the second, with the Reds already up, 4-1. At that point, a successful steal by Hamilton would have put runners at second and third with just one out. But Vazquez came up firing and got the key out. That wound up being big when the Red Sox were able to come back and win the game. It was Hamilton's first game since fracturing his left thumb on Sept. 6.

"Very big [out]," said Farrell. "Sometimes there's a defensive momentum that you can capture. And a play like that is one of those, because he's such a weapon when he gets on the bases. But to knock down an out in a key spot, you get some energy from those, and that was one of them."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS With eight grand slams this season, half of them by Gennett, the Reds are one shy of their team record set in 2002.

The Red Sox continue to thrive in Interleague Play this season, improving their record to 14-4. BENINTENDI GETS HERO'S WELCOME

Playing for the first time in Cincinnati, just 12 miles from where he grew up, Andrew Benintendi had a contingent of roughly 870 family members and friends in the left-field bleachers. He got a standing ovation in his first at-bat.

"You know, I heard there was a pretty healthy contingent from his hometown, and it's awesome to see some of the human side of the game. He's such a good player," said Farrell. "I know that he's been raised right. He's got a great family, and to see the support that his hometown came out to show, just a fantastic night."

WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez will try to continue his momentum toward winning a spot in the postseason rotation when he gets the nod on Saturday. After a slump in July and August, Rodriguez has looked much better in September, going 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA in his first three starts of the month. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. ET.

Reds: Robert Stephenson will get the ball vs. Boston. Stephenson is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA over his last six starts, and on Sunday vs. the Pirates, he pitched six scoreless innings with one hit, three walks and eight strikeouts for a 5-2 victory.

Price shows what he can do as reliever

Ian Browne

CINCINNATI -- The value that David Price can bring to the Red Sox as a reliever was on full display on Friday at Great American Ball Park as manager John Farrell went to him in a high-leverage situation.

It was Price who was the winning pitcher in a 5-4 victory over the Reds, as the lefty went 2 2/3 scoreless innings while giving up three hits and one walk while striking out four.

For the entirety of his outing, which started in the bottom of the fifth inning against the heart of Cincinnati's order, Price pitched with a one-run lead.

Price also struck out the side in the sixth. He was able to serve as a sturdy bridge to the late-inning combo of Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel.

"David was good for 40 to 50 pitches," said Farrell. "Hopefully it was going to bridge us to Addison. It did just that. It worked in our favor. I just felt like the left-hander in David going up against the heat of that order was the move to make. I know Rick [Porcello] did not want to come out of that game, and I fully respect that. When everyone's fresh down there and we have those pitchers to go to … it worked out well tonight."

In his late-season transition to the 'pen, Price has been unscored upon in his first two outings. He was limited to 11 starts this season due to multiple stints on the disabled list with left elbow woes.

The Red Sox elected not to bring Price back as a starter this season for two reasons. The first is that he was able to return quicker as a reliever. The second is the value he can provide in that role down the stretch. Deep have become a vital ingredient for any team that has a successful run in October.

"You know, he's healthy," said Farrell. "And that's the beauty in all of this. All the work that he's put in to get back to this point, and I don't want to say I marvel at it, but the way he comes out and throws strikes and quality strikes [is impressive]. We're talking nearly five innings in the past two months, and it's impressive to see the way he commands the baseball."

Of Price's 40 pitches, 26 were . He didn't even need to break out his curveball.

"They were swinging early, putting the ball in play, not a lot of foul balls. Executing and induce weak contact, get a lot of outs. A lot of them hit the first pitch," Price said.

Though Price was satisfied with his performance on the mound, his biggest thrill was provided at the plate, when he belted a single to left for his first hit since 2010, and just the third hit of his career. The hit ended an 0-for-38 drought for Price.

"I liked hitting way more [than pitching]," Price said. "That was cool. I was due."

Benintendi feels the love in return home

Ian Browne

CINCINNATI -- They spanned three entire sections of bleachers in left field, starting near the foul pole and stretching toward left-center. They were mostly from Ohio, but nearly all of them wore Red Sox shirts and hats.

It was quite a crowd that gathered on Friday night for the purpose of giving Andrew Benintendi the warmest welcome possible in his return home to Cincinnati.

The kid from an Ohio suburb called Madeira -- which is about 12 miles from Great American Ball Park -- was in town to play left field for the Red Sox, and it was a big event for his many supporters.

Brian and Bob Benintendi -- Andrew's uncles on his father's side of the family -- orchestrated the massive reunion. Brian wore a shirt that he had custom made to commemorate the event, with the caption, "Benny Baseball's Bleacher Bash, 9/22/17."

"When I put the bleacher idea together, my goal was 200 tickets," said Brian Benintendi.

Bobby and Brian Benintendi (right) organized the large cheering section at Great American Ball Park. The block of tickets Brian and Bob set aside through the Reds grew from 200 to 1,000 based on demand, and more than 85 percent of the block wound up being sold.

"The Reds were stunned," said Brian Benintendi. "They said that's one of the largest groups they've ever had."

When Andrew Benintendi came to the plate for the first time in the top of the first, his cheering sections roared with approval. He wound up walking.

In the bottom of the first, when Benintendi ran out to left field, they all stood and cheered again. Ever so discreetly, Benintendi gave a thumbs up to acknowledge his family and friends.

Though the low-key rookie isn't one for nostalgia, Benintendi acknowledged the emotions of coming home.

"I probably got down here four-five times a year and would sit in the Diamond seats," Benintendi said. "I remember watching the guys play and picturing myself out there. It's crazy that I'm here now."

"I just remember sitting in those stands and seeing some guys that were massive. Guys like Adam Dunn. I remember the bigger Upton brother was here playing, and I was thinking, 'God, these guys are huge.' I was 5-foot-6, 115 [pounds] at the time. That's probably what I remember the most."

Amy Benintendi -- Andrew's aunt and Brian's wife -- couldn't believe that the ring bearer from her wedding was in town to bat third and play left for the Red Sox.

"It's so exciting. I've known him since he was 6 [years old]," Amy Benintendi said. "He's such a down-to- earth kid. And especially to see him play here because we always came here to watch the Reds, so to him playing here at Great American [Ball Park], that's pretty cool."

Andrew's father, Chris, and mom, Jill, watched the game in a suite behind home plate with their parents. "Just for his grandparents to be able to see him play, it's special for them to go to their hometown to see their grandson play," Chris Benintendi said. "They're over 80, and it's a real special time for them to see this."

Once the game started, Brian and Bob Benintendi joked about which one was Andrew's favorite uncle. And they remembered that baseball wasn't the only sport Andrew was known for growing up. "He was the player we all wanted to be," Bob Benintendi said.

The diminutive Andrew never dunked, did he?

"No," said Brian Benintendi. "But it didn't matter, because [three-pointers] are worth more points than a dunk."

As they recalled the past and enjoyed the present, it was a night nobody in the Benintendi family will forget.

"For him to play in Cincinnati, the Red Sox never play here, this is only the third time they've been here since the 1975 World Series, so for him to be here in his rookie year, that's like a fantasy," said Brian Benintendi.

Family ties: Farrells reunite in Cincinnati

Ian Browne

CINCINNATI -- Earlier this season, Red Sox manager John Farrell had the thrill of flying to Kansas City and sitting in the stands at as his son, Luke, made his Major League debut.

This weekend, John Farrell will be in the unique position of competing against Luke's team, the Cincinnati Reds. After spending stints in the Royals and Dodgers organizations this season, Luke Farrell is a September call-up for the Reds and could get some action out of the bullpen in this three-game series.

"I don't know how many times this has happened in the history of baseball, but for myself, for my dad, for my family, this is a pretty cool experience," Luke Farrell said. "It's something I'm going to enjoy for sure." The last time a father managed against his son was in 2004, when Felipe Alou's Giants played against Moises Alou and the Cubs.

"It's definitely unique," said Farrell. "On a lesser scale with his older brother Jeremy in Spring Training when he was with the Pirates, it happened, but that was Spring Training. There was an added adrenaline rush then -- there's a set of nerves that kind of kick in and I'm sure that will probably be the case if he comes to the mound in one of these three games."

The potential matchup between father and son comes at a time the Red Sox are trying to get closer to winning the American League East.

"Again, he's my son, but he's in the other uniform," Farrell said. "I don't mean to sound crass or ultra- competitive, but that's where we are. This is an important series for us. We don't take them lightly. We've got business to attend to."

With the Red Sox enjoying an off-day in Cincinnati on Thursday, John and Luke got to spend some time together before the Reds played the Cardinals.

"It's a unique opportunity to catch up in person when schedules can be taking you everywhere, but I'm proud of what he's earned," John Farrell said. "It's been an interesting year for him in terms of three different organizations, waiver claims and what not, but we'll see how this series unfolds. Hopefully it's just a side story to a successful series for us."

Being John Farrell's son gave Luke unique glimpses at life in the Majors before he got there. Some of Luke's most influential baseball memories are from when John served as Boston's pitching coach from 2007-10.

"I was fortunate to kind of grow up in a clubhouse and be around a lot guys who showed me how to be a professional even when I was 14 or 15 years old, because I was just sitting there quiet and trying to watch," Luke Farrell said. "So many memories from Fenway Park, especially -- just kind of tagging along as a kid - - that I've tried to implement in my career.

"When I was in high school, they had Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling and Jon Lester and . I would just watch their bullpen [sessions] or watch the way they work, pick up different grips. There's grips I still use to this day that I watched those guys use in their bullpen [sessions] and in a game. Really fortunate to be able to do that as a kid."

Though John and Luke barely see each other during the season, the communication never stops. "We have an ongoing conversation almost daily through text or phone call, but to be able to just sit in person and catch up, it would be like any other parent who's hasn't been around their son or daughter for a lot of time," said John Farrell.

There will be a chance for quality time in the offseason.

"For sure," Luke Farrell said. "Usually it revolves around some kind of fishing trip or something like that on the Cape."

* ESPNBoston.com

Red Sox's usage of David Price vs. Reds forecasts playoff bullpen

Scott Lauber

CINCINNATI -- Rick Porcello wasn't thrilled to be removed from Friday night's game after 57 pitches and four innings, with the Boston Red Sox leading by one run. And as recently as 10 days ago, he wouldn't have been, at least according to manager John Farrell.

But that was before David Price took up residence in the bullpen.

If Price's first regular-season relief appearance in seven years -- a six-up, six-down domination of the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday -- didn't convert all the non-believers into thinking he can be an October game-changer for the Red Sox, the performance he turned in here Friday night really ought to do the trick. Price took over for Porcello, tossed 2⅔ scoreless innings and picked up the win in a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

"I know Rick did not want to come of that game, and I fully respect that," Farrell said after the Red Sox increased their American League East lead to four games over the with nine to play, lowering their magic number to clinch the division title to six. "I just felt like, with the left-hander in David going up against the heat of that order, it was the move to make."

Porcello and the other starting pitchers might want to get used to it. The Red Sox still aren't sure how frequently Price will be able to pitch in his new relief role. Against the Reds, he was working on four days' rest, the typical recovery time for a starter.

But Farrell's aggressive usage of Price, particularly against a lefty-heavy lineup, might be a preview of things to come. Rather than subject Porcello to a third time through the Reds' order, Farrell went to Price in the middle innings to bridge the gap to setup man Addison Reed and eventually closer Craig Kimbrel, a formula the Red Sox hope to repeat frequently during the playoffs.

And once again, Price delivered. He shelved his curveball against Reds hitters who like to swing early in the count, cranked up his fastball to 95 mph, sprinkled in the occasional changeup and recorded eight outs.

David Price not only picked up his first win since July with a scoreless relief outing, the lefty notched his first hit since 2010. AP Photo/John Minchillo Price was so effective that Farrell even let him hit for himself in the sixth inning. He came through with his bat, too, blooping a leadoff single into left field. It was his first hit since 2010 and only his third in 48 career at-bats, and it brought a rare smile to the face of a pitcher who has scowled his way through an injury-riddled season in which he has often sparred with the media.

"I liked hitting way more," Price said. "That was cool. I was due."

But the Red Sox are paying Price $31 million this season because of the impact he can make with his left arm. Two trips to the disabled list, including a seven-week stint after soreness returned to his elbow and triceps following a July 22 start in Anaheim, California, have left the 32-year-old without enough time to rebuild the arm strength to start in the postseason.

That doesn't mean the Red Sox can't use him out of the bullpen in the same way the use Andrew Miller, specifically to get outs in the middle of a game against the heart of an opponent's lineup.

"He's healthy and that's the beauty of all this," Farrell said. "All the work that he's put in to get back to this point, and then still, I don't want to say marvel at it, but the way he comes out and throws strikes -- and quality strikes. We're talking five innings in the past two months, and it's impressive to see the way he commands the baseball."

Price has already made an impact on the AL East race. The Yankees are 14-6 in their past 20 games, but the Red Sox have been able to keep them at arm's length by winning 12 of their past 15. Price played a large role in two of those victories.

"We don't care what the Yankees do. Just go play our game," Price said. "We're in first place for a long time now. Ball’s in our court. If we win, we’re fine."

Porcello gave up a grand slam to Scooter Gennett in the first inning, but he appeared to be settling down by the fourth inning. He worked around a one-out walk to Gennett in the third inning and a to open the fourth, and when Rafael Devers homered for the first time in 116 plate appearances, Porcello had a 5-4 lead.

Farrell admitted it's "not likely" that he would've pulled Porcello if Price hadn't been available, especially against lefty-hitting Joey Votto and Gennett in the fifth inning. But if Porcello or fellow starters Drew Pomeranz, Doug Fister and Eduardo Rodriguez don't think Farrell won't do it again, particularly in the postseason, they would be kidding themselves.

"That's the reason you make the move, to have someone throwing the ball as well as David did down in Tampa," Farrell said. "Hopefully that was going to be the case tonight. It worked out."

So far, the Price experiment is working out as well as the Red Sox could have hoped.

* WEEI.com

Red Sox 5, Reds 4: It's starting to taste like playoffs

Rob Bradford

Yes, with the come-from-behind, 5-4 win over the Reds, and New York's loss to Toronto, John Farrell's team is four games up with nine to play. Then you can factor in what the Sox continue to deliver, going 32- 15 since Aug. 1, and 14-6 this month. (For a complete recap of the Sox's win, click here.)

What it all adds up to is the distinct feeling that worrying about the Yankees shouldn't be the priority. It's time to think about October, which is exactly what Farrell and Co. seemed to set their sights on Friday night.

"We don’t care what the Yankees do," David Price told reporters after the win. "Just go play our game."

What their game was against Cincinnati sure felt like a prelude to postseason baseball, mainly because of Price's presence.

If Farrell wasn't thinking about the playoffs, there was no way he would have done what he did -- take Rick Porcello out after four innings, with a lead. But that's exactly what happened, with Price coming on to give the Red Sox' new Andrew Miller way of doing things a whirl.

It worked. Price followed up Porcello with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, setting the stage for Addison Reed and Craig Kimbrel to close out the final seven outs. (And, just for good measure, Price got his third base-hit in 48 at-bats, leading off the seventh with an opposite field single.) Considering the postseason possibilities, this Price success continues to be a major development.

"You know, he’s healthy," Farrell told reporters regarding Price. "And that’s the beauty in all of this. All the work that he’s put in to get back to this point, and then I still – I don’t want to say marvel at, but the way he comes out and throws strikes and quality strikes. We’re talking nearly five innings in the past two months, and it’s impressive to see the way he commands the baseball."

Price was only part of the equation when it came to contemplating approaching the postseason a bit different. rules or not, Farrell managed this one a little out of the ordinary, at least when it came to his starting pitcher.

Porcello had allowed the Reds to put up four runs after just four batters thanks to Scooter Gennett's first- inning grand slam. But, thanks to the visitors' four-run fourth inning -- which was paced by Rafael Devers homer and Christian Vazquez's RBI double -- the Sox' starter took the mound with the lead. That would last, however, for just one inning, with Farrell choosing to go to Price after Porcello (who hit in the fourth) had thrown just 57 pitches.

It was the kind of quick trigger which isn't uncommon in October, although it's clear until things are wrapped up Farrell isn't going to managing like the previous six months, either.

"No, not likely," Farrell told reporters when asked if Porcello would have gotten more rope if not for Price's presence. "Even with the extended, we’re probably looking at maybe having to piece some things together there. But, that’s the reason you make the move. It’s to have someone throwing the ball as well as David did down in Tampa. Hopefully that was going to be the case tonight. It worked out."

"It's usually how it goes, you know? Start of rocky and settle down and find your groove. I've had a lot of starts like that over the course of my career where I'm able to settle in and give us six, seven strong innings. I didn't get that opportunity," he told reporters. The pitcher later added, "Obviously, I've been an American League player my whole career. I'm not going to stand here and say I know the ins and outs of National League baseball and that sort of thing. But when you have the lead you usually don't come out of the game. So I was pretty frustrated with that. But thank God we won the game and that's all that matters. Great win. Bullpen did a hell of a job. They've been doing a hell of a job. Offense was outstanding to come back from that deficit. So hats off to our guys, and big win for us."

The Price dynamic has changed a lot. Farrell might not want to surface Mr. Miller's name when talking about his new reliever, but after Friday that really isn't going to be possible.

It was reunion Friday, with John Farrell meeting up with his son, Reds pitcher Luke Farrell, and Andrew Benintendi returning home to a throng of relatives.

* The Boston Sports Journal

Use of Price in win over Reds offers look at how he’ll used in post-season

Sean McAdam

Friday night in Cincinnati provided a window into how the Red Sox intend to use David Price in the post- season. If utilizing Price in relief works as well in October as it did against the Reds, the Red Sox will be more than satisfied.

Rick Porcello started the game, but was off from the beginning. In addition to allowing a grand slam to Scooter Gennett in the first inning, Porcello also demonstrated some spotty command, issuing three walks while also hitting a batter.

The Sox rebounded to take a one-run lead in the fourth, but Porcello didn’t come back out for the fifth. Instead, the Sox called on Price.

Price, who last threw on Sunday, was pitching with four days’ rest. That enabled him to be used a little more liberally Friday in the Red Sox’ 5-4 win over the Reds.

For the second straight outing since returning from the DL, Price was sharp. He allowed a hit in the fifth, sixth and seventh, but none was particularly hard-hit. Two of the singles were bloop singles into the outfield and another was on a groundball.

He was also economical with his pitches, needing just nine pitches to get through his first inning of work, despite allowing a hit. In Price’s first inning last Sunday at , he recorded three outs on seven pitches.

Price struck out four and walked one, and ate up 2.2 innings. His velocity again hit 95 with his four-seam fastball and he missed his secondary pitches in nicely. Watching Price on the mound, you saw a pitcher quickly getting comfortable with his new role.

Farrell acknowledged after the game that he likely wouldn’t have been so aggressive in lifting Porcello had he not had Price available.

Calling upon Price when he did may have been part of Farrell’s plan to ready him for the post-season. There are likely to be games in the playoffs in which the starter has an off-night and needs to be lifted before a game get away from the Sox.

Having Price in reserve could be a real asset in such scenarios. Instead of going with a long reliever, or conversely, chewing up three of four relievers to get through the middle innings, he can designate Price as his long bridge to his back end relievers.

That was the case Friday night at the Great American Ballpark. With two on and two out in the seventh and the righthanded Eugenio Suarez due, Farrell went to Addison Reed, who got Suarez on a flyout to center. Reed then handled the eighth, too, before turning things over to close Craig Kimbrel in the ninth.

Expect this formula to be repeated in the post-season. If Farrell can get multiple innings out of Price, it will allow him to use his three best pitchers in the bullpen – Price, Reed and Kimbrel – and only his three best relief pitchers.

What’s more, the built-in off-days in the playoff schedule will allow him to do so. He won’t be able to use Price for multi-inning usage every game, but then, with Chris Sale, he won’t have to.

Some Red Sox starters, however, have difficulty with efficiency and are unlikely to pitch deep into post- season starts. Presumed Game 2 starter Drew Pomeranz is a perfect example of a starter who, while dominant at times, isn’t always efficient. In 30 starts, he’s gotten past the sixth inning only times.

It would be easy to envision Pomeranz being asked to give the Sox six solid innings in a start, with Price handling the seventh and eighth and Kimbrel brought in for the ninth. Such a deployment would save the likes of Reed or Carson Smith, preserving them for other matchups later in the series.

There’s no guarantee that Price is going to be as impressive against the Astros or Indians as he was against two losing teams, the Rays and Reds.

But if he can come close to replicating the duration and quality of his first two relief appearances, the Sox could have a valuable bullpen weapon in October.

Red Sox 5, Reds 4

Sean McAdam

Rafael Devers was given a couple of days off earlier the week. The move seemed to pay dividends immediately upon his return.

Dever swatted a three-run homer in the fourth inning as the Red Sox overcame an early three-run deficit to post a 5-4 interleague victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The win improved the Sox to 14-4 in games against National League opponents this season.

The win, coupled with a Yankee loss in Toronto, gave the Red Sox a four-game lead in the American League East with nine games remaining. The Red Sox magic number to clinch the East is now six.

Rick Porcello stumbled in the first, allowing a grand slam to Scooter Gennett. It was Gennett’s fourth grand slam of the season, but it was also the last run scored by the Reds.

The Sox, who scored a run in the first off starter Sal Romano, begin chipping away in the fourth when Christian Vazquez doubled home Mookie Betts. With two on, Devers belted his first homer since Aug. 19, 107 at-bats ago.

David Price took over for Porcello in the fifth and contributed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief. Addison Reed got the next four outs before Craig Kimbrel closed things out in the ninth.

GAME NO.: 153 WHO: Red Sox (88-64) vs Cincinnati Reds (66-87) WHEN: 7:10 WHERE: Great American Ballpark RADIO: WEEI (93.7 FM) TV: NESN PITCHERS: RHP Rick Porcello (10-17, 4.46) vs. RHP Sal Romano (5-6, 4.07) BOX SCORE: MLB Gameday

IN-GAME OBSERVATIONS:

The mixture of Rick Porcello, the Reds lineup, and Great American Ballpark looked like it could be combustible, and it didn’t take long to play out that way. In the first inning, the Reds loaded the bases and Scooter Gennett hammered a pitch into the right field seats. That was the 36th homer allowed by Porcello, among the major league “leaders.” Porcello’s penchant for giving up home runs is one of worries about him as the post-season draws closer.

For the Red Sox, it had to be encouraging to see Rafael Devers respond the way he has tonight. The Sox benched Devers Wednesday night in Baltimore after he had committed five errors in the previous five games. The feeling was that Devers was wearing down, having never before played into September. But his offensive numbers had also slipped, and the two days — out of the lineup Wednesday and off Thursday with the rest of the team with a scheduled day off — seemed to help at the plate, too. Devers carved a double to left in his first at-bat, then positively hammered a pitch deep into the bleachers in right to bring the Sox from down two runs to up by a run in the fourth.

It will be fascinating to see how David Price is used tonight. He came into the game relatively early (fifth inning) and with Price’s spot in the order coming up in the bottom of the sixth, will John Farrell allow Price to hit and extend his night? He threw 21 pitches six days ago, so he could, conceivably, go another inning. (UPDATE:) Well, there’s our answer. Not only is Price going another inning, but he hit for himself and collected a single, his first hit in seven years.

SERIES TO DATE: This is the first game of a weekend interleague series and the first meeting between the two teams since 2014. The series continues Saturday and Sunday, which will also conclude the Red Sox’ interleague schedule for 2017. So far, the Sox are 13-4 against National League opponents this season. Historically, the Sox are 9-1 against the Reds, including 6-0 in the last six.

WHERE THINGS STAND: The Sox have begun their final road trip of the season on a roll, winning five of the first six games. They clinched a playoff spot late Wednesday when, following their win in Baltimore, the Angels lost to the Indians, thus assuring the Sox of a spot in the wild card game. The Red Sox’ magic number to clinch the American League East for the second straight season is eight. The Red Sox hold down last place in the National League Central and have been out of the race since before the All-Star break.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Porcello has (mostly) pitched better of late, allowing two runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. He’s performed far better on the road, with a 3.43 ERA away from Fenway, marking the seventh-best road ERA of all A.L. starters. Since roughly the half-way point in the season, he has a 3.73 ERA. Reds Joey Votto is 3-for-3 lifetime against him with a homer. Romano, a rookie, is 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA in his last six starts.

STAT OF NOTE: In half of their last dozen games, the Red Sox have scored nine or more runs.

LINEUPS:

RED SOX

Bogaerts SS Pedroia 2B Benintendi LF Betts RF Moreland 1B Vazquez C Devers 3B Bradley Jr CF Porcello P

REDS

Hamilton CF Cozart SS Votto 1B Gennett 2B Suarez 3B Schebler RF Duvall LF Barnhart C Romano P

* The Cincinnati Enquirer

Boston Red Sox score win in opener

Zach Buchanon

Scooter Gennett provided some fireworks, but the Cincinnati Reds fell 5-4 to the Boston Red Sox on Friday at Great American Ball Park. Here are the main storylines.

Sal Romano’s hot streak came to an end. The rookie right-hander had been on a fantastic run coming into the game, posting a 2.09 ERA and striking out 29 against just 11 walks in his last six starts. But it was clear early that Friday’s start would be different.

Romano loaded the bases with no outs in the first – hurt a bit by some miserly umpiring by Pat Hoberg – but managed to allow just one run to score, on a sacrifice fly. He was gifted an out in the second when Rafael Devers over-slid second on a double for the first out, and Romano fanned the next two batters. The third also went smoothly.

It all crumbled in the fourth. Romano’s first four batters went double, walk, double, home run to turn a 4-1 Reds lead into a 5-4 deficit. Romano was able to get out of the inning without any more damage, although he walked another batter in the process.

The Reds pinch-hit for the 23-year-old in the bottom of the inning, ending his night after 80 pitches. He was charged with five runs on five hits and four walks, while striking out three.

More: Once itching to be a Red, Tucker Barnhart is now positioned to stay one

More: Madeira's Andrew Benintendi makes his GABP debut

More: BAR Mailbag: Does Eugenio Suarez hit cleanup in 2018?

Scooter Gennett made more history. The Reds second baseman already had etched his name in the history books with his four-homer game back in June. He joined an even more exclusive group than the four- homer-game club on Friday.

In the first inning, Gennett hammered the first pitch from Rick Porcello into the right field seats for a grand slam. It was his fourth grand slam of the season, putting him in lofty grand slam company. Only had ever hit both four homers in a single game and four grand slams in a single season, at least before Gennett did it.

Even then, Gennett stands alone. Gehrig had his four-homer game in 1932, and his four-grand-slam season in 1934. Gennett is the only player to do both in the same season.

*

Red Sox rally for 5-4 win over Reds, extend AL East lead

CINCINNATI — Staggered by Scooter Gennett's grand slam in the first inning, the Boston Red Sox regrouped and finally put some distance between themselves and the Yankees.

Rafael Devers hit a three-run homer Friday night, and the Red Sox extended their AL East lead to four games with a 5-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Boston added to its lead with the help of the Yankees' 8- 1 loss at Toronto.

The Red Sox have won 12 of 15, keeping the Yankees at bay while moving a season-high 25 games over .500 at 89-64. The Red Sox already have clinched a playoff berth and home field advantage for the wild card game, if it would come to that. Boston has never played a wild card game, and doesn't want to settle for one now.

"The ball's in our court," David Price (6-3) said. "We win, we're fine. We don't care what the Yankees do. We just go play our game."

Their AL winner is still struggling heading into playoff time, though.

Rick Porcello gave up Gennett's fourth grand slam — a Reds' season record — in the first inning. He lasted a season-low four innings, turning a 5-4 lead over to the bullpen. Porcello has lost 17 games — most in the majors — after winning 22 last year along with the Cy Young.

With the left-handed Price fresh, manager John Farrell decided Porcello was finished after 57 pitches.

"I just felt with the left-hander in David going against the heat of the order was the move to make," Farrell said. "I know Rick did not want to come out of that game, and I fully respect that."

Part of Porcello's problem has been a lack of run support. Boston has been blanked while he's on the mound in 10 of his losses. This time, the Red Sox got him off the hook, overcoming Gennett's career-high 27th homer with the help of Devers' three-run shot off Sal Romano (5-7).

The Red Sox are last in the AL with 159 homers.

Price pitched 2 2/3 innings and contributed a single, bringing the Red Sox to the front of the dugout for a celebration. Craig Kimbrel pitched the ninth for his 34th save in 38 chances. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 10 appearances.

SCOOOTER'S LORE

Gennett was claimed off waivers from late in spring training. He has provided some of the Reds' best moments in an 88-loss season, including a four-homer game on June 6. His homer off Porcello ended the Red Sox' streak of 26 straight scoreless innings. He and Lou Gehrig are the only players with a four-homer game and four grand slams in any season.

"That sounds crazy," Gennett said of his connection with Gehrig.

INTERLEAGUE

The Red Sox are 10-1 against the Reds all-time in their interleague series. The Reds beat the Red Sox in seven games for the 1975 World Series championship. Overall, Boston is 14-4 in interleague play this season. The Reds are 5-13.

FATHER-SON

Farrell had lunch with his son Luke, a Reds reliever. Luke wears the same No. 52 as his father. The last time a manager faced his son as an opposing player was 2004, when the Giants' Felipe Alou went against his son Moises of the Cubs. Farrell didn't get into the game Friday.

"It's definitely unique," John Farrell said. "Hopefully it's just a side story to a successful series for us."

HOMECOMING

Boston left fielder Andrew Benintendi had several hundred relatives and friends cheering him from the upper deck in left. Benintendi attended Madeira High School in suburban Cincinnati and regularly attended games at Great American Ball Park. His favorite player was Ken Griffey Jr.

"I just remember watching the guys play and picturing myself out there," Benintendi said . "It's crazy that I'm here now."

BARNHART'S DEAL

Reds C Tucker Barnhart agreed to a $16 million, four-year contract that covers his salary arbitration years and the first season after he would have been eligible for free agency. He receives a $1.75 million signing bonus and salaries of $4 million next year, $2.5 million in 2019, $3.5 million in 2020 and $3.75 million in 2021. As part of the deal announced Friday, Cincinnati has a $7.5 million option for 2022 with a $500,000 buyout.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: INF Eduardo Nunez is increasing his daily workouts as he recovers from a sprained knee, but isn't close to a full return. "We have to see some marked improvement," Farrell said. "First thing would be a potential pinch-hit situation. We're not going to risk anything until we get him on the base paths and get a better feel for what he's capable of doing."

Reds: CF Billy Hamilton was back in the lineup for the first time since he broke his left thumb on Sept. 6 while bunting. He had two singles and was caught stealing when he over-slid second base.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (5-6) is 1-1 with a 2.55 ERA in his last three starts. He's 2-2 in eight career interleague starts.

Reds: Rookie Robert Stephenson (5-5) is 5-1 with a 2.84 ERA in his last six starts.