The Boston Red Sox Friday, May 12, 2017

* The Boston Globe

Mookie Betts is rounding into vintage (2016) form

Nick Cafardo

MILWAUKEE — Buck Showalter took me aside one day last week at Fenway Park and said quietly, “Mookie Betts might be the best player in our league.”

This from a guy who has Manny Machado on his team.

The Orioles manager may be right. If you went by last season, Betts probably was the best player in the American League, but the MVP award went to Mike Trout, who has played at an elite level year after year.

We haven’t seen the home runs from Betts as much as we saw them a year ago, when he hit 31. He also drove in 113 runs in 2016. But his fifth homer of this season, which cleared Miller Park’s left-field wall in the ninth inning with two aboard, gave the Red Sox a 4-1 win Thursday, preventing them from dipping to .500 for the season.

Betts, who is now hitting .311 with 5 homers, 22 RBIs, and a .924 OPS, had a typical Betts day. He hit all the food groups, so to speak. He doubled to lead off the game, walked twice, and banged the long home run. He has reached base in his last 13 games, compiling a .407 on-base percentage in that span, going 16 for 51 with 10 runs, 7 doubles, 3 homers, and 11 RBIs.

That sounds more like the Betts of last season.

“He’s starting to feel good, and he’s got his confidence going,” said hitting coach Chili Davis. “He gives you really good at-bats. For a while there, he was one of those guys who says, ‘I don’t feel right. I’m not comfortable.’ He’ll let you know, ‘I don’t like that.’ ’’

Is it because pitchers are so careful with him now, not giving him much to hit?

“The way I look at it, they can try to pitch you a certain way,” said Davis, “but if you’re not biting, if you’re not leaving your zone, they make mistakes.

“And when they make mistakes, you have to be ready for them. It’s the mistakes you have to hit. The kid listens and he gets it.”

Betts’s numbers have started to climb after a slow start.

He reached base twice Wednesday and in all five plate appearances Tuesday. He has returned to the leadoff spot, where he began his incredibly productive season last year, and has picked up where he left off.

The Red Sox have struggled at times offensively, and to create some spark, John Farrell decided to return Betts to the top of the order. It has paid dividends.

The Red Sox are doing everything they can to keep from taking on water. They are trying to find some consistency with their offense, which on Thursday was pretty much shut down for eight innings.

I asked Farrell if he planned to eventually drop Betts back into the middle of the order.

“That’s possible,” Farrell said. “But we’ve taken this alignment and we’ve responded in a positive way. Whether he’s in the 1-hole or 3-hole, we need contributions from everybody, not just him. So thankfully we were able to put a couple of guys on for him today.”

Betts said he figured something good would come of things offensively because “we were putting pressure on them, we had a lot of guys on base, and eventually think that pays off for you.”

Betts said it’s no issue for him whether he’s hitting first or third. He figures he bats leadoff once in a game, and he gets up more. He came up with runners on base anyway. He might as well have been a No. 3 hitter.

Betts has seen some differences in the way pitchers work him, but he says he never really thinks about it until someone mentions it. He’s one of those special players who just does his thing. He doesn’t spend much time trying to figure out how they’re going to attack him. He rarely gets jammed because he can drive the inside pitch.

He also has struck out only nine times in 138 plate appearances, a sign of how tough he is to get out.

With David Ortiz retired and writing books, Betts has become the centerpiece of the Red Sox offense — even if he is the leadoff guy.

The sign of a truly great player is one who can repeat the greatness year after year. The Red Sox’ Gold Glove winner in right field is still playing high-level defense, and now he’s producing high-level offense.

Asked if Betts is one of the best he’s ever been around, Davis said, “I need a few more years for that one. If he continues the way he’s been since I’ve been here, he’s going to do some real nice things in this game.”

Mookie Betts’s homer in ninth gives Red Sox the win

Peter Abraham

MILWAUKEE — For eight innings on Thursday, it was one aggravating moment after another for the Red Sox. They wasted a strong start by Eduardo Rodriguez and missed several scoring opportunities against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The road trip was in danger of ending in ruin with a third consecutive loss. Then Mookie Betts fixed everything.

His three-run homer in the ninth inning lifted the Sox to a 4-1, now-you-can-exhale victory at Miller Park.

“For us it was a must win,” said closer Craig Kimbrel, who struck out the side to end the game.

Facing Brewers closer Neftali Feliz, Betts sent a fastball over the fence in left for his fifth homer. Christian Vazquez had walked to start the inning before the Brewers misplayed a sacrifice bunt by Deven Marrero.

“You don’t want to get swept obviously,” said Betts. “Couple of frustrating days when we could have won a couple of ballgames, but avoided the sweep and coming back with a little momentum.”

Betts is 10 of his last 17 with four doubles, three home runs, and nine RBIs. Much as he did last season when he finished second in the Most Valuable Player voting, Betts is heating as the weather does.

“He’s come up big in so many situations,” manager John Farrell said. “As big a swing as he’s had all year for us.”

Before the home run, the Sox were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position in the game, 7 of 33 for the series.

Kimbrel worked 1⅔ innings for the win, striking out five of the six batters he faced. Once Betts gave the Sox the lead, Kimbrel struck out the side in the bottom of the inning on nine pitches, five of them curves. The four fastballs were 97-98 miles per hour.

Kimbrel has struck out 31 of the 56 hitters he has faced this season. In his last 12 appearances he has allowed one run over 12⅔ innings and struck out 26.

“We were talking about it immediately following the game. We’re seeing two pitchers on our staff right now — he and [Chris] Sale — that are doing things that are very uncommon,” Farrell said.

The Sox started fast against Milwaukee righthander Jimmy Nelson as Betts opened the game with a double to the gap in left field.

With a good runner on second and one of their hottest hitters up, the Red Sox were set up. But Dustin Pedroia elected to bunt Betts to third.

Betts scored when first baseman Jesus Aguilar couldn’t handle a slow grounder off the bat of Xander Bogaerts.

Nelson didn’t allow another run. The Sox left the bases loaded in the second inning when Pedroia grounded out and wasted a leadoff hit by Bogaerts in the third.

Nelson went 6⅔ innings, allowing four hits with four walks and eight strikeouts.

Keon Broxton doubled to center field with one out in the first inning. He inexplicably tried to steal third base and was easily thrown out by Vazquez.

Rodriguez ended the inning by getting Hernan Perez on a fly ball to center field. It was a start of a streak that saw him retire 13 Brewers in a row.

That ended when Manny Pina singled to start the sixth inning for Milwaukee. With one out, Nelson put down a bunt to advance the runner. It paid off as Jonathan Villar doubled to left field.

Villar, a switch-hitter, had been 4 for 36 batting righthanded before driving in the tying run. Rodriguez left a fastball on the inner half of the plate.

“That was the only pitch I missed in the whole game,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez allowed one run on three hits and struck out five without a walk. He dropped his earned run average to 2.80.

Josh Rutledge led off the seventh inning with a single. With one out and Rodriguez up, the Sox had Chris Young pinch hit.

Young thought the second pitch hit him and he trotted to first base with the approval of umpire Ben May. The Brewers challenged the call and a replay showed Young was not hit. He then struck out, as did Betts to end the inning.

The Sox had another chance in the eighth inning. Facing Corey Knebel, Pedroia doubled to right-center and went to third on Bogaerts’s single to left.

Andrew Benintendi popped up to second base. Mitch Moreland drew a walk to load the bases before Knebel struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rutledge.

Matt Barnes walked Orlando Arcia with one out in the bottom of the eighth. Farrell went right to Kimbrel, and he struck out pinch hitter Eric Thames. Villar reached on an infield hit but Kimbrel fanned Broxton to end the inning.

Kimbrel (2-0) had faced two batters and thrown 11 pitches over the previous eight days and knew there was a chance he would come in before the ninth inning.

“Today was a day I needed to get in there early,” he said. “In a tie ballgame, throw the save situation out the door. My job is to try and help this team win. I was able to do that today.”

The Sox were 3-3 on their trip and open a three-game homestand against Tampa Bay on Friday night.

Blake Swihart battling back from injuries with PawSox

Alex Speier

Blake Swihart’s stock is tied in no small part to what he represents as the rarest species of catcher, a player at the game’s most taxing position whose offensive potential stands out from a crowd where expectations are low. It’s part of the reason why he decided to pursue work behind the plate in high school, mindful that he could improve his position in the draft by demonstrating how his athleticism could play behind the plate.

Yet there is another side to the potential borne of his identity as a catcher. The greatest threat to Swihart’s offensive ability comes from the fact that he plays a position subject to an onslaught of harm.

Swihart — whose 2016 season came to a crashing halt in the novel position of left field — is on the sidelines in Triple A Pawtucket after enduring a succession of foul tips off his left ring finger. The swelling and discomfort became sufficiently severe that he couldn’t swing with his characteristic strength, particularly from the left side. He endured an 0-for-17 run and struck out with a frequency that he’s almost never displayed.

“I was playing through it, but it happened again and again. I just got to a point where I could barely hold the bat. I just needed to take some time and let it settle down,” said Swihart. “You don’t want to rush it because you don’t want it lingering all year long.”

Of course, this won’t be the last time that Swihart faces such physical challenges. Part of the reason for the rarity of catchers capable of delivering a lineup impact is that they take the sort of punishment that makes offensive consistency elusive. For Swihart — who’d endured few significant injuries during his pro career aside from last year’s mishap in left field — there has been an unwanted lesson.

“This is the first injury I can see that [catching] makes it tougher on hitting,” said Swihart. “[But] I wanted to be a catcher. I chose to be a catcher. You’re going to get your bumps and bruises. You play through most of them. Some of them you can’t.”

The ring finger is one of them, and it comes at an inopportune time. Early in the season, prior to the finger injuries, the PawSox coaching staff saw in Swihart a player who was making incremental defensive strides from his pre-injury form but who was rushing to make up for lost time at the plate. In 13 games, he was hitting just .208/.250/.375 before landing on the disabled list.

Swihart showed flashes of the gifts that positioned him as the Red Sox’ top prospect just a couple of years ago. However, a stop-and-start beginning of 2017 — Swihart missed a few games after a head-to-head collision with first baseman Sam Travis, then missed time because of the initial finger injury, then endured four days without games because of a run of rainouts, before he more foul tips stopped him from playing — prevented him from getting into a rhythm.

“Injuries go with the territory. They’re going to rear their ugly head,” said PawSox hitting coach and former Red Sox catcher Rich Gedman. “It’s a shame he’s not playing, because that’s valuable time missed.”

Swihart acknowledged that he’s getting stir crazy awaiting his return. Still, he’s mindful of the bigger picture.

“To have that big ankle injury last year and now this keeps lingering, it’s frustrating,” he said. “But once we get it better, I’ll be back and good to go.”

On target Righthander Mike Shawaryn, a fifth-round pick last year out of the University of Maryland, delivered a memorable performance for Single A Greenville last Saturday, striking out a franchise-record 12 over six innings.

“With all the guys that have come through here, it’s a pretty neat thing to have accomplished and to be considered with those guys,” said Shawaryn, alluding to standout runs in Greenville by Clay Buchholz, Matt Barnes, Henry Owens, and other Sox first-rounders. “It’s not something you’re focused on during the game. But after the game, when you find out that it’s a franchise record, it’s pretty cool.”

Shawaryn elicited 15 swings and misses. While his fastball isn’t overpowering, Shawaryn has impressed with his ability to command it in order to set up a mid-to-high-80s slider that hitters have chased. After a poor debut (nine runs in two innings), he has a 1.32 ERA with 42 strikeouts and six walks in 27⅓ innings.

“He had a tough spring training and tough first start for us, and then since then he’s been getting progressively better and better,” said Drive manager Darren Fenster. “His last start, he was absolutely lights-out.”

While the college experience and strong early performances of Shawaryn and righthander Shaun Anderson (1.87 ERA, 32 strikeouts, eight walks in Greenville) have made them candidates for early-season promotions to High A Salem, nothing is imminent.

Promotions earned Righthander Jamie Callahan started to break through as a bullpen arm in the second half of 2016 in Salem, where his mid-90s fastball, slider, and splitter started to produce late-inning dominance. He carried that into spring training this year, where he was one of the final cuts from big league camp, before delivering an overpowering start to the year in Double A Portland. Over 13 innings, Callahan struck out 20 without a walk while forging a 1.38 ERA. On Thursday, the Red Sox promoted him to Triple A Pawtucket.

“It’s been convincing,” farm director Ben Crockett said. “He’s shown the multiple pitch mix, thrown a lot of strikes, [and] been confident using all three pitches any count. It’s a credit to him and the ownership he’s taken in the move to the bullpen. He just continues to keep improving.”

Righthander Travis Lakins likewise received a promotion, moving from Salem to Portland on Wednesday. Lakins went 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA, 43 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 38 innings for Salem.

Being careful Lefthander Jason Groome, out since leaving his first start of the year for Greenville with a lat strain on April 10, is expected to start throwing off a mound in the next few days for the first time since suffering his injury. He’s at extended spring training in Fort Myers, Fla,. where he’ll rebuild his pitch count. Given the length of his downtime — a product of the team’s desire to proceed cautiously with an 18-year-old — the 2016 first-rounder is not expected to pitch for a minor league affiliate until June . . . Greenville third baseman Bobby Dalbec left a game on Wednesday as a precaution because of wrist and hand soreness. The 21-year-old, one of the Sox’ top prospects entering the year, has struggled at the outset of 2017, hitting .264/.358/.358 while striking out in 36 percent of plate appearances . . . Pitcher Kevin Steen, who was critically injured in a car crash in Fort Myers last month, remains hospitalized there, though visitors have described him as being in good spirits. A YouCaring fund-raiser page said that Steen underwent hip and knee surgeries, with the knee injuries described as extreme, leaving Steen’s baseball future in doubt.

Red Sox send Kyle Kendrick back to Pawtucket

Peter Abraham

MILWAUKEE — The Red Sox dropped Kyle Kendrick from their rotation late Wednesday night, optioning him to Triple A Pawtucket. But when they replace him is not yet certain.

With a scheduled day off coming up Monday, the Sox will use a four-man rotation for now. They would not need a fifth starter until May 20 in Oakland.

Manager John Farrell said another option would be to put a new starter between Rick Porcello and Chris Sale to lessen the strain on the bullpen. That would be next Thursday in Oakland.

Lefthander Brian Johnson and righthander Hector Velazquez are the likely candidates at Pawtucket to be an added starter.

Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.64 ERA in five starts. He made a spot start for the Red Sox on April 18 in Toronto and got his first major league win despite giving up four runs in five innings.

Velazquez is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in four starts. The Mexican League veteran had his innings restricted early in the season after extensive use in winter ball. But he pitched 6⅓ in his last start.

“There’s a couple of candidates I think are probably a little ahead of the group,” Farrell said. “The one thing we have to look at is do we run four straight lefthanders or do we mix in a righthander in there?

“These are things that are all being taken into account. Looking at the matchups, going to the West Coast where you’ve got a bigger ballpark in Oakland to deal with. We’ll take the guy who is pitching the best and we’ll also factor in all the other things.”

Kendrick was 0-2 in two starts, giving up 12 runs on 18 hits over 8⅓ innings. He took the loss Wednesday, allowing six runs against Milwaukee.

Per a contract agreement, Kendrick gave the Sox the right to option him within the first 45 days of his deal. He will return to the Pawtucket rotation.

Pedroia’s mentor Milwaukee bench coach Pat Murphy was the head coach at Arizona State when the Sun Devils signed a skinny infielder from northern California named Dustin Pedroia.

“When he first came there, I looked at my assistant who was responsible for recruiting and said, ‘This kid’s special,’ ” Murphy said. “He’s got that attitude, like an East Coast attitude, that he’s going to show you.”

Murphy said that once Pedroia started to believe in himself, he took off.

“It’s all mentality for him,” Murphy said. “He teaches our game a lesson. He plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. As a college coach, you never say some kid is a sure big leaguer. You can’t know that. But you saw it in him.

“I give Boston credit. They saw it and didn’t back off. People doubted him right into Triple A and when he first got to the big leagues.”

Pedroia said Murphy molded him on and off the field.

“It was my first time away from home,” said the second baseman. “He helped me out a ton with baseball, life, how to treat people, everything. We were always on the same page.”

Pedroia intended to visit Long Beach State, Texas, Miami, and Florida but signed with Arizona State after one visit.

“It worked out well,” he said. “It was a good decision to play for [Murphy]. We still talk a lot. Everyone has a support group and he’s part of that for me.”

Murphy was impressed that Pedroia took a close 3-and-1 pitch in the eighth inning of an 11-7 game Tuesday.

“In that situation, 98 percent of the hitters in this game who have done the kind of things he has done would swing at that pitch,” he said. “Except Dustin knows he wants the team to win. He really cares about winning and acts that out. They’re fortunate guys like [Mookie] Betts and [Andrew] Benintendi are around him.”

Ramirez sits out Hanley Ramirez, who left Wednesday’s game after three innings with muscle spasms in his right trapezius, did not play in Thursday’s 4-1 victory.

The symptoms have abated but Ramirez was getting treatment during the game. Farrell does not believe Ramirez will land on the disabled list.

Ramirez said he expects to play either Friday or by Saturday.

“I’m doing fine,” he said. “It’ll be OK.”

Mystery man Farrell acknowledged that the status of righthanded reliever Tyler Thornburg is “a little bit of a puzzle for all involved here, including Tyler.”

Thornburg has not pitched off a mound since March 24. He was shut down for what was said to be a shoulder impingement. Now it’s a matter of gaining strength in the shoulder via endless sessions of long toss.

Farrell said the inflammation is gone and Thornburg’s MRIs are clear. But he has not been able to throw with the needed intensity.

If Thornburg does return this season, it will not be any time soon.

Bogaerts up to 14 Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single in the third inning. He was 2 for 5 and is hitting .342 . . . Pedroia has at least one extra-base hit in seven consecutive games . . . The Sox have homered in seven straight games, hitting 13 in all . . . Lefthanded reliever Robbie Ross Jr. replaced Kendrick on the roster. He was demoted to Pawtucket April 28 and appeared in six games, allowing one run on one hit over six innings . . . Milwaukee second baseman Jonathan Villar made a slick play to end the third inning. With Bogaerts at first base and one out, Mitch Moreland hit a low line drive over second base. As Bogaerts went back to first, Villar dropped the ball and started a 4-6-3 double play. Fielders are not allowed to purposely drop balls for that purpose, and the Sox protested. But the umpires allowed the double play to stand . . . Brock Holt went 1 for 4 with a double in his rehab game with Pawtucket. Holt played left field for the second straight game after sitting out Wednesday.

Red Sox starting pitching depth will be tested

Alex Speier

Remember Sean O’Sullivan?

The righthander made four less-than-memorable starts as a fill-in last year, lasting five innings or more in three of them. The Red Sox went 4-0 in those demonstrations of adequacy. The Red Sox won the division by four games.

Remember Kyle Weiland?

The righthander made five less-than-memorable starts in 2011, logging fewer than five innings in four of them. The Sox went 1-4 in those outings. That team fell one game short of the Rays in the wild card race.

That’s not to say that O’Sullivan and Weiland were the pivotal factors in those two Red Sox seasons. However, the two performances underscore the significance of competent starting pitching depth and the idea that, in competitive races for postseason spots, the handful of outings entrusted to pitchers who enter the year as sixth and seventh starting options can’t be taken for granted in the grand 162-game scheme.

On Wednesday, righthander Kyle Kendrick saw his night unravel in a fifth inning in which he allowed hits to four of the five batters he faced. At the end of the night, the veteran’s line revealed 4 1/3 innings and six runs allowed, a near-mirror of his first start (4 innings, 6 runs). Kendrick is the first Red Sox pitcher since at least 1913 to allow six or more runs while lasting fewer than five innings in his first two starts for the team.

After the game, the Red Sox optioned Kendrick to Triple A Pawtucket. With the anticipated return of David Price as soon as the end of this month, the Sox’ short-term need for depth starters is relatively limited given that the team has an off-day coming next week.

But the likelihood is that the Sox won’t be able to navigate the season with just Price, Chris Sale, Rick Porcello, and Drew Pomeranz, meaning that the team will need someone in Pawtucket – whether Brian Johnson, Hector Velazquez, Henry Owens, Roenis Elias, or perhaps eventually Kendrick – as a sort of duct tape option capable of patching those spot-start holes and preventing more damaging scenarios.

* The Boston Herald

Red Sox notebook: Liner leads to controversial double play for Brewers

Jason Mastrodonato

MILWAUKEE — Rarely does a team get rewarded for dropping a line drive, but the Brewers found a way to make it happen against the Red Sox yesterday.

With Xander Bogaerts on first base and one out in the third inning of the Sox’ 4-1 win, Mitch Moreland hit a liner straight to Jonathan Villar at second base. Villar clearly caught the ball with his glove close to the ground, held it for a second, just long enough for Bogaerts to run back to first, then Villar let the ball roll out of his glove.

Second base umpire Manny Gonzalez ruled no catch, and Villar smartly threw to Orlando Arcia for one out, then Arcia threw to first for a double play.

Standing on first, Bogaerts argued but the umps weren’t having it.

“He caught it and he let it fall,” Bogaerts said. “That’s what I saw. I saw he caught it, then dropped it on purpose. He dropped it with his back toward the umpire so the umpire couldn’t see it but I saw it.”

Bogaerts had a legitimate reason to be upset. According to rule 5.09(a), if “an infielder intentionally drops a fair fly ball or line drive, with first, first and second, first and third, or first, second and third base occupied with less than two out, the ball is dead and runner or runners shall return to their original base or bases.”

Red Sox manager John Farrell had a word with crew chief Fieldin Culbreth, but he wouldn’t let the Sox challenge the play, Farrell said.

“We saw it as it was a catch and a drop intentionally,” Farrell said. “That’s why I asked them to convene and at least talk it through. But to their view, they didn’t see it as a catch, which I still dispute. And it was ruled that it was a non-reviewable play, which again, that’s not to be the case because the play was behind the umpire positioned on the grass with a man at first base.”

The call was pivotal in the Red Sox’ attempt to get a rally going. They were tied, 1-1, until Mookie Betts hit a three-run homer in the ninth.

Bats come alive

The Red Sox salvaged a 3-3 record on the road trip with yesterday’s win, but should be most encouraged by the way their offense showed signs of life. They scored 31 runs in the three games against the Minnesota Twins and 15 in three games against the Brewers.

Bogaerts is now riding a 14-game hitting streak, hitting .375 in that span.

“It was a nice win today,” Bogaerts said. “Going back home, happy flight. Everyone pitched in.”

With Bogaerts heating up in the three-hole and Betts doing the same from the leadoff spot, the Red Sox are likely to stick with their new batting order for the time being.

But if Betts’ power continues to reveal itself the way it did on the road trip, when he homered three times, moving him back down in the order is “possible,” Farrell said.

“But we’ve taken this alignment and we’ve responded in a positive way,” he said. “Whether he’s in the one-hole or the three-hole, we need contributions from everyone, not just him. Thankfully we were able to put a couple of guys on before him today.”

Betts has said many times he doesn’t care where he hits.

“I just try and continue to be who I am,” he said.

No sign of Hanley

Hanley Ramirez was not used off the bench, as Chris Young was the choice for a pinch-hitting opportunity in the seventh inning.

Ramirez left Wednesday’s game after just three innings at first base due to muscle spasms in his right shoulder.

“Some of the symptoms he had last night, the spasming, has kind of relieved itself somewhat,” Farrell said.

The Sox are hopeful Ramirez won’t need a stint on the disabled list.

Could this injury cause Farrell to be hesitant using Ramirez at first base again this season?

“We have to get him healthy first,” Farrell said. “I can’t say three innings caused the shutdown last night.” . . .

Mitch Moreland made his 34th appearance in 34 games and remains on pace to shatter previous career highs in games played and plate appearances.

“The other guys we would have at first base, one is in Pawtucket on rehab (Brock Holt), and the other is our everyday third baseman right now (Josh Rutledge). Options are limited.”

Got some time to decide

With Kyle Kendrick optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket in exchange for lefty reliever Robbie Ross Jr., the Red Sox will take their time deciding when to use a fifth starter next, and who that fifth starter might be.

They don’t need another one until May 20.

“There’s a couple of things we may look to do,” Farrell said. “With both Chris Sale and Rick Porcello working deep into games, one approach we could take is insert someone in between those two guys to spread out the bullpen. Or just add the fifth starter on the back end.”

Mookie Betts, Craig Kimbrel lift Red Sox to sweep-avoiding win

Chad Jennings

MILWAUKEE — The Red Sox have Mookie Betts and Craig Kimbrel, and the Brewers don’t.

That advantage didn’t mean much when things got out of hand in the first two games of this series, but in a down-to-the-wire finale, Betts and Kimbrel made all the difference in yesterday’s 4-1 Red Sox win that let them avoid an embarrassing sweep at Miller Park.

“For us, it was a must win,” Kimbrel said. “You don’t ever want to get swept, and after dropping the first two, going home, we needed a win today. And we hung in there.”

Kimbrel got the key strikeouts and Betts delivered the big blow, hitting a game-winning home run in the top of the ninth then pumping his fist over and over again as he rounded first base.

It was Betts’ 10th hit and third home run in his past four games, and he led off the game with his fourth double in this stretch. Betts’ power has returned on the road trip, and his slash line is starting to look a lot like last year’s near-MVP performance.

“He’s come up big in so many situations,” manager John Farrell said. “And in an early part of the season, maybe 25 percent of the way through, probably as big a swing as he’s had all year for us.”

Given a lead, Kimbrel closed the door in typically eye-popping fashion with a nine-pitch, three-strikeout ninth inning that wasn’t even his best moment of the day.

The game was still tied at 1 with one out in the eighth when the Brewers called on major league home run leader Eric Thames to pinch hit. The Sox countered with Kimbrel, their only reliever who hadn’t pitched the previous two days. Thames struck out on five pitches, and Kimbrel needed just three pitches to strike out Keon Broxton and end the inning.

“Guys were swinging and it didn’t even look like they were really close,” Betts said.

Kimbrel’s past 11 outs have been strikeouts, and this was the second time this season he recorded five strikeouts in a game, as manager John Farrell has been reluctant but ultimately willing to use his biggest weapon in the biggest spots, even if it means more than three outs.

“We were talking about it immediately following the game,” Farrell said. “We’re seeing two pitchers on our staff right now — both he and (Chris) Sale — that are doing things that are very uncommon with the number of swing and miss. In today’s case with Kimbrel, you see the power he’s generating, the swing and miss. He throws two-thirds of an inning, comes out and strikes out the side on nine pitches. Those are really uncommon things that play out.”

For most of the game, the best thing the Red Sox had going for them was starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who sailed through his first five innings before allowing a leadoff single and a two-out, game-tying double in the sixth.

Rodriguez finished that inning with just 87 pitches, 21 shy of his season high, but manager Farrell elected to pinch hit for him with one out and a runner on first base in the seventh.

Chris Young struck out, the runner was stranded, and the Red Sox bullpen took over until Betts homered. Rodriguez, though, had done his part, continuing to assert himself as a much-needed source of stability.

At the top of the Red Sox’ rotation, Sale and Rick Porcello have combined for 95 innings and a 2.84 ERA. At the bottom, Drew Pomeranz, Steven Wright, Kyle Kendrick and Brian Johnson have combined for 681⁄3 innings and a 7.38 ERA.

It’s a top-heavy collection, with Rodriguez in the middle to shift the balance one way or the other. Lately he’s been closer to Sale than Kendrick.

In his past four starts, Rodriguez has pitched to a 1.88 ERA with 27 strikeouts and five walks.

“I think what he’s watching in Chris Sale (has helped),” Farrell said. “I think his influence on Eddy has been evident from what we see and the ability to attack the strike zone with certain places in the lineup to get the outs as efficient as possible.”

Of course, it’s hard to be more efficient or effective than Kimbrel these days. When the Red Sox finally had a close, winnable game, they knew exactly how to keep the odds in their favor: Get their best hitter to the plate, and get their best pitcher to the mound.

“Today was the day I had to get in there early,” Kimbrel said. “Tie ballgame, throw the save situation out the door. My job is to help this team win, and I was able to do that today.”

Mastrodonato: In Eric Thames, John Farrell can wonder what might have been

Jason Mastrodonato

MILWAUKEE — There’s no sound of regret in John Farrell’s voice when the Red Sox manager talks about Eric Thames, the sweet-swinging Milwaukee Brewers first baseman who entered yesterday tied for the major league lead with 13 home runs.

But how could he not wonder what might have been?

Farrell was Thames’ first big league manager back in 2011, when the Toronto Blue Jays called him up from Triple A to make his debut at age 24.

“At the time, you didn’t know,” Farrell said. “As a complete player, was it going to be in a platoon? Or an everyday guy? It was just a lot of unknowns.”

Thirty games into his major league career for the Jays, Thames was hitting .330.

He eventually slowed down, finishing the 2011 season with a .262 average, 13 homers and a .769 OPS. He got a chance again in 2012 before the Jays sent him back to the minors at the end of May. He was traded to the Mariners two months later.

“For a while it broke my heart because I felt like I had an opportunity to do something great with that team in that time,” Thames said. “And I lost it.”

Thames, 30, flamed out in Seattle, was traded a year later to Baltimore, was waived and claimed by Houston, then released in the winter of 2013. He then put up the first 40-40 season in the history of the Korea Baseball Organization, completed three dominant years and returned to the U.S., where the most lucrative contract offer he could find came from the Brewers. The deal is for three years, $16 million.

The Red Sox, in need of a slugger with David Ortiz retired, showed only the slightest bit of interest, contacting Thames in the offseason but not getting too deep into the discussion, according to the player.

“I think they did, but I don’t know about money, situation, stuff like that,” Thames said.

Said Farrell: “There were conversations. But beyond that, I’m not going to talk about a player with the Brewers.”

Obviously, the Red Sox missed a whopping opportunity. Thames’ quick hands and potent bat have invigorated the Brewers lineup. In addition to his 13 home runs, he entered yesterday ranking among the MLB leaders in average (.333, 15th), OPS (1.182, fourth), total bases (87, second), runs created (39, second) and WAR (1.8, ninth).

But the Sox weren’t the only team to miss on Thames. And they weren’t the first.

Speaking to the Herald yesterday, Thames offered a glimpse into his 11⁄2 years playing for Farrell in 2011- 12.

“I thought the first year was awesome,” Thames said. “I was playing every day. I had struggles here and there but I felt really good playing every day. The next year is when things, I don’t want to say took a turn for the worse, but I kind of battled myself trying to make the adjustment of second year in the big leagues, guys throwing me off-speed, making me chase.

“Platooning with Rajai Davis, I felt like that was a tough deal for me.”

Thames put the blame on himself for his eventual failure, hitting just .232 with a .672 OPS in 2012, before the Jays sent him to the minors and eventually traded him.

“I was trying to overanalyze stuff,” he said. “It just got to be too much. I knew I was a prospect, I was a young guy, so I knew if I went 0-for-10, who knows what could happen? I could get sent down. I could lose my job. It was a little rough. I put a lot of pressure on myself and I kind of sucked.”

The Blue Jays must wonder if they could’ve gotten more out of Thames while they had him. Farrell, too.

“It was so early to tell (how good he’d be) because he was so quick from the minor leagues to get to the big leagues,” Farrell said. “Sometimes it’s hard to know where your holes are (until) the scouting reports begin to get around.”

Thames agreed that he didn’t know himself well enough at that time. It took three years in Korea for him to learn how to relax.

“I was in Korea like, ‘Well I might as well make the best of this situation,’” he said. “Then bam, I’m back here again. I got a second chance.”

Managers can only do so much.

“Certain managers are different,” Thames said. “(Brewers manager Craig Counsell) was a position player, so he understands the grind, mentally and physically. With John, he was a pitcher. He was a good manager, but managers that were pitchers have a different mindset compared to one that was a position player.

“I feel like from my standpoint, he was a very good manager. I thought he treated me fairly. That’s all you can really ask for.”

Taking a break from watching Thames beat up on his team this week at Miller Park, Farrell said, “I’m just happy for him for the way things turned out. He’s off to a monster year.”

* The Springfield Republican

Boston Red Sox prospects Rafael Devers, Nick Longhi combine for 5 hits for Portland; Michael Chavis batting .345

Christopher Smith

Boston Red Sox prospect Nick Longhi, who was born in Springfield, Mass., has been red hot for Double-A Portland. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs in Portland's 5-0 win over Reading on Thursday.

The 21-year-old Longhi has gone 9-for-14 with a double and five RBIs in his past three games.

After batting .182 in April, Longhi is 16-for-36 (.444) with four doubles and 10 RBIs during May.

Devers, the top prospect in the Red Sox organization, went 2-for-4 with two doubles, one walk and one run in Portland's win. The 20-year-old third baseman has six homers, seven doubles, 18 RBIs and a .313/.382/.566/.947 line in 27 games.

Jalen Beeks earned the victory on the mound. He hurled 5 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and four walks while striking out seven. The 23-year-old, who the Red Sox drafted in the 12th round in 2014, is 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA in six starts. The opposition is batting .157 against him.

Reliever Ty Buttrey -- who has hit 100 mph on the radar gun -- hurled 1 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and striking out four.

Josh Tobias -- the 24-year-old second baseman who the Red Sox acquired for Clay Buchholz -- went 3-for- 5 with a double and two runs. He's 12-for-38 (.316) with two doubles and six RBIs since his promotion from High-A Salem.

Brock Holt plays left field in rehab game for Portland

Brock Holt was expected to play third base in a rehab game for Triple-A Pawtucket on Thursday but he played all nine innings in left field. He went 1-for-4 with a double.

Pawtucket lost 3-2 to Rochester.

First base prospect Sam Travis went 2-for-4. After he batted .233 in April, Travis is slashing .323/.364/.548/.912 with four doubles, one homer and five RBIs in 31 games during May.

Rusney Castillo continues to be very streaky. He went 0-for-4 with a strikeout. He has a .273/.294/.414/.708 line with three homers, five doubles and nine RBIs in 25 games.

Michael Chavis batting .345

Red Sox third base prospect Michael Chavis, a first-round draft pick in 2016, continued his extra-base surge in High-A Salem's 10-8 win over Buies Creek.

He went 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and one run. The 21-year-old has seven homers, eight doubles and a .345/.444/.690/1.135 line in 23 games.

Tate Matheny, a 23-year-old outfielder who the Red Sox picked in the fourth round in 2015, went 2-for-5 with a double, RBI and two runs.

Matheny has a .311/.410/.467/.876 line with six doubles, one triple, two homers and eight RBIs in 24 games.

Roldani Baldwin homers again

Roldani Baldwin went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and walk in Low-A Greenville's 6-5 win over Lakewood.

Baldwin -- a 21-year-old catcher from the Dominican Republic -- is batting .265/.303/.566/.870 with five homers, 10 doubles and 22 RBIs in 22 games.

Shaun Anderson, a 22-year-old righty who the Red Sox selected in the third round in 2016, saw his ERA increase from 1.87 to 2.56 in his seventh start. He allowed five runs, four earned runs, six hits and three walks while striking out five.

Mitch Moreland, Boston Red Sox's gritty 1B, enjoys cooking, training his retriever, hunting on his farm

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Mitch Moreland has become a fan favorite quickly, earning the nickname "Mitchy Two Bags."

It's well deserved. He leads the league with 15 doubles.

Dan O'Mara came up with the nickname and told it to Barstool Sports' Jared Carrabis who was able to spread it like wildfire.

Moreland is receiving much more playing time than expected, and he's thriving. The Red Sox signed him to play primarily vs. right-handed starters. But the 2016 AL Gold Glove first baseman has played in all 34 games because Hanley Ramirez's shoulder injury has limited him to three innings at first base.

Moreland has two homers, 15 doubles, 16 RBIs, 16 runs, 18 walks and a .270/.369/.443/.811 line.

He's a gritty player. Red Sox manager John Farrell said back on Feb. 15, "There's a really good edge about him -- a competitive edge. The game is one of the top priorities in his life."

Moreland took part in a Question and Answer with me here at Miller Park before the Red Sox and Brewers game Tuesday.

Smith: You seem like a rugged, hard-working kind of guy to me. You're from Mississippi. Are you a pickup truck guy?

Moreland: Yeah, definitely, a pickup truck type of guy. I love to be outside. I love to hunt and fish, be on the farm. That type of thing. That's me, yeah.

Smith: Does your family have a farm?

Moreland: I've actually got a farm now. So the last couple years that's what I've put a lot of time into. But we still live in Birmingham but my farm is back in Mississippi so I try to get back there as much as I can.

It's just kind of recreational use. We'll hunt on it. Most of it's just cleaning it right now and trying to get it the way I want it.

Smith: What do you hunt and fish?

Moreland: I like to deer hunt. I like to duck hunt. Fishing is more just giving me something to do until hunting season starts, I guess. Deer and duck are mainly the two big things that I hunt.

Turkey season's always during baseball season. I would like to do that. I enjoy that. But ...

Smith: You told me during spring training you have two dogs, right?

Moreland: Both labs. Both labrador retrievers. One of them I've trained. He runs the field trials and stuff. He's trained to hunt. The other one, I think she sleeps in my spot of the bed when I'm gone. She's like a person. But yeah, they're great. Can't go anywhere without our dogs.

Smith: And you have kids, right?

Moreland: I have a little boy that's 4 and a little girl that's 2. So we've got a full slate when it comes to keeping up with them and the dogs.

Smith: Have you gotten out to explore Boston yet?

Moreland: Not much. We live outside the city a little bit so we kind of take the slower-paced route, obviously. But we've enjoyed it so far. I'm still trying to get to know some of the places. My wife took the kids, and a couple other people went, to the aquarium yesterday (Monday).

So they've gotten out and done some things. As it gets into the summer and I think it warms up, we'll probably start getting out and doing a few more things.

Smith: Did your parents have a big influence on you athletically?

Moreland: Absolutely. My dad coached me all the way until I got to high school pretty much. Mom was always there supporting me. There's no way I'd be here without my dad as far as the support he's given me and still gives me today. I talk to him almost every day. He's always been there. He's been kind of my best friend and role model. He's really pushed me along the way.

They get to come up every now and then. They're both still working full-time jobs (in Mississippi). If they get a chance to get off, they try to get up here and watch.

Smith: Were they athletes?

Moreland: My dad was. He played football, baseball and basketball. He actually had an injury, be broke his neck in high school so all the contact stuff he had to hold off on.

Smith: What's your favorite baseball city or park outside of Boston?

Moreland: I don't really know if I have a favorite park. As far as cities go, I enjoy Seattle. It's a cool city. Real laidback. Kind of a chill place. I've just always enjoyed going up there. Pretty long flight but other than that, it's nice when you get there.

Smith: Who in your career since you've gotten into pro ball has helped you the most as a hitter?

Moreland: As a hitter, I don't really know. Mike Micucci was a guy that had a lot of influence on me. He was my Low-A ball manager and then my Double-A manager as well. So I was with him a lot. He's actually with the Mariners now. I think he's the minor league coordinator for the Mariners. He had a big influence on me coming up.

As far as playing the game, doing everything the right way on and off the field, big league ballplayer would probably be Michael Young. He'd be the guy if I had a question I'd probably still call today. He's just a pro's pro. He did everything the right way. One of those guys that you want to learn from.

Smith: You weren't a high draft pick (17th round, 530th overall). When you came out of college, what were you expecting for your career and did you have to do anything to stand out in the minor leagues?

Moreland: I really didn't look at it that way. I looked at it as I was going to go out and give everything I had every time I stepped between the lines.

If I made it, it was because I worked for it. That's the way I've always approached it. I think that's the way my parents raised me. So that's the way I looked at it.

As far as me, did I think I was going to be here? I did. I absolutely did. Since I was 5 years old, all I've said was I was going to play Major League Baseball. I was going to be a Major League Baseball player.

Even in college, I didn't really know what I wanted to do other than play ball. So thank goodness it worked out, I guess.

Smith: What was your second favorite sport growing up?

Moreland: I enjoyed everything. I enjoyed football. I enjoyed soccer as well. But I put my stock in baseball. That was it. That's what I loved to do.

Smith: Who was your favorite player growing up?

Moreland: Well, I followed the Braves. They were closest to me and through the '90s they had that run and they were unreal. I was a left-handed pitcher so I really enjoyed watching Tom Glavine. And Steve Avery was fun to watch.

I guess, Crime Dog Fred McGriff would be one of the hitters I enjoyed watching. David Justice. You could pretty much announce the whole Atlanta team and I'd probably say yeah, they were one of my favorites.

Smith: Any other things people don't know about you?

Moreland: I like to cook. Obviously the grill is probably the easiest thing to go with but I enjoy cooking. My wife wasn't much of a cook when we first kind of started dating. But she's gotten a lot better at it, too.

We kind of learn and we experiment on different stuff together and try to make up some good meals. She's kind of helping me get more towards the healthy side because I'm not too great at that.

Smith: Did you two meet in college?

Moreland: No, we've actually known each other since we were 13 and 14. So it's been a long story. Yeah, we enjoy cooking. And usually early day games or off days we'll be cooking something together.

John Farrell's aggressiveness with Boston Red Sox bullpen was smart -- and planned out

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel entered Thursday having faced just two batters in the past eight days.

And so manager John Farrell told Kimbrel he might use him for more than three outs in the series finale vs. the Brewers.

And he did.

Kimbrel recorded the final five outs, all on strikeouts. The Red Sox won 4-1 over the Brewers here at Miller Park.

Farrell was aggressive. And his smart decision to bring in Kimbrel with a runner at first base and one out in the eighth in a 1-1 ballgame paid off.

"Knowing that they're either going to have (Ryan) Braun or (Eric) Thames ready to go in the pitcher's slot (as a pinch hitter), felt like whether we're in a two-out nobody-on situation or the situation that unfolded, we'd go to Kimbrel there," Farrell said. "Whether it was going to be four or five outs, that was going to be determined.

"But he's been so efficient and then only throwing I think 11 pitches over an eight-day period, well-rested," Farrell added. "Knew today was a possibility to get him into the eighth inning. Turned out five outs, five strikeouts. He's in a great place right now."

Thames pinch hit and Kimbrel struck him out with a 98.3 mph fastball. He then got Keon Broxton swinging on a 98.6 mph heater to end the eighth.

"There was a lot of variables that put me in the game today," Kimbrel said. "Hadn't thrown a lot over the last week and the last few days our bullpen has thrown a lot. So today was the day I needed to get in early. A tie ballgame, throw the save situation out the door. My job is to try to help this team win. And I was able to do that today."

Farrell is open to using Kimbrel in more high-leverage eighth inning situations when needed.

"It's going to be a possibility, obviously," Farrell said. "But we need to get our bullpen back in order as best as possible. ... Certainly we're willing to do it but don't want to make it a consistent habit."

Farrell should receive credit for bringing in Kimbrel twice in the past four games with one out in the eighth. He's managing aggressively and he needs to manage that way right now with his team sitting just two games over .500 at 18-16.

"For us, it was a must-win," Kimbrel said. "You don't ever want to get swept."

Craig Kimbrel's domination for Boston Red Sox is Chris Sale-like; Both 'are doing things very uncommon'

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel hasn't allowed a run in his past seven outings. He has recorded 14 strikeouts, hasn't walked anybody and allowed just two hits during that span.

The right-handed fireballer recorded five outs Thursday in a 4-1 win over the Brewers here at Miller Park. All five outs came by way of the strikeout.

"We were talking about (his dominance) immediately following the game," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "We're seeing two pitchers on our staff, both he and (Chris) Sale, that are doing things that are very uncommon -- with the number of swing-and-miss. In today's case with Kimbrel, you see the power he's generating, the swing-and-miss. He goes two-thirds of an inning, comes out and strikes out the side on nine pitches. Those are really uncommon things that play out. He's in a great spot."

Kimbrel added, "I'm just in a good groove right now."

No, not a good groove. More like an eye-popping groove.

He has averaged 17.9 strikeouts per nine innings this year compared to 1.2 strikeouts.

Improved command has been the major difference between 2016 and 2017. He averaged 5.1 walks per nine innings last year.

He entered Thursday with one out in the bottom of the eighth and the game tied 1-1.

Kimbrel -- making an appearance with one out in the eighth for the second time in four games -- struck out slugger Eric Thames, who was pinch hitting, on a 98.3 mph fastball, and Keon Broxton swinging on a 98.6 mph heat.

Thames has been one of the major's top power hitters with 13 homers. Kimbrel was looking ahead to the matchup.

"Yeah, I kind of saw it coming (with) the pitcher's spot coming up and him still on the bench," Kimbrel said. "So yeah, I just went right at him. Got him to swing through some pitches and I got the second out of the inning, which was big."

The Red Sox took a 4-1 lead in the top of the ninth on Mookie Betts' three-run blast. Kimbrel then struck out the side in order in the ninth. He got Hernan Perez swinging on his knuckle-curve, Travis Shaw looking on the same pitch and Domingo Santana swinging on a 98.2 mph heat.

He recorded nine swing-and-misses in his 1 2/3 scoreless innings.

Did this run match the the best of his career?

"I don't really think about that," Kimbrel said. "I just think about getting the job done. The strikeouts are pretty. But if it was three groundouts or five groundouts today that would have been just as good."

After Betts homered, Kimbrel wanted to bat himself.

"Honestly I was looking up at the Jumbotron and looking at where I was in the order," Kimbrel said. "I thought maybe we could get around to me. But it didn't happen. I was able to go out there (in the ninth) and finish the job."

Mookie Betts crushes go-ahead HR in 9th, Boston Red Sox win behind John Farrell's aggressive bullpen management

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Red Sox manager John Farrell managed his bullpen aggressively against the Brewers on Thursday ... and it paid off.

Farrell went to well-rested closer Craig Kimbrel with one out in the eighth inning in a 1-1 game after setup man Matt Barnes got Manny Pina to ground out to second base and allowed a walk to Orlando Arcia.

Kimbrel -- making an appearance with one out in the eighth inning for the second time in four games -- struck out slugger Eric Thames, who was pinch hitting, on a 98.3 mph fastball, and Keon Broxton swinging on a 98.6 mph fastball.

Mookie Betts then delivered a go-ahead three-run homer in the top of the ninth inning.

The Red Sox won 4-1 here at Miller Park.

Kimbrel struck out the side in a perfect ninth inning.

Betts pumped his fist as he rounded first base. It was a no-doubter to left field.

Christian Vazquez walked to lead off the ninth. Deven Marrero bunted. He and Vazquez were both safe when Arcia, the shortstop, missed a throw from reliever Neftali Feliz.

Huge ninth-inning rally came after huge eight-inning squander

Dustin Pedroia hit a ground-rule double to lead off the eighth and Xander Bogaerts singled to left field to put runners at the corners. Bogaerts then stole second to put two runners in scoring position with no outs.

Andrew Benintendi popped out to second base for the first out before Mitch Moreland walked to load the bases.

But Brewers Corey Knebel struck out Jackie Bradley Jr. swinging on a 96.3 mph fastball and got Josh Rutledge swinging on a 96.0 mph fastball.

He fell behind Bradley but battled back with two fastballs.

Rodriguez dominates

Farrell made the tough decision of taking out Eduardo Rodriguez at 87 pitches for pinch hitter Chris Young in a 1-1 game in the top of the seventh

The Red Sox had a runner at first base and one out.

But Young and Betts both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Rodriguez allowed just one run, three hits and no walks while striking out five. He has a 2.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 42 strikeouts and 15 walks in 35 1/3 innings (seven outings, six starts).

"He's a gifted pitcher," Red Sox manager John Farrell said before Thursday's game. "To have the swing and miss ability, to have the ability to locate, to elevate, to get some swing-and-miss for strikeouts. I think more than anything he's becoming aware of what his strengths are and how they best apply to minimize damage inside of games."

Farrell also mentioned the one area he continues to want to improve on his getting deeper into games.

"Maybe the pitch efficiency at times could be a little bit better," Farrell said.

He would have pitched into the seventh inning here Thursday had this game not been at a National League ballpark.

The Red Sox jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the first inning. Mookie Betts doubled to lead off the game. Dustin Pedroia bunted him over to third. (It's unclear if Pedroia was trying to bunt for a hit or if he was sacrificing).

Betts scored on an error by first baseman Jesus Aguilar's error.

The Brewers tied it 1-1 in the sixth. Manny Pina singled to lead off the inning.

After Orlando Arcia popped out to shortstop, pitcher Jimmy Nelson bunted Pina to second.

Jonathan Villar then delivered an RBI double to left field.

David Ortiz's new book details toxic relationship with former Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine; 2013 World Series run

Christopher Smith

David Ortiz's new book with Michael Holley, Papi: My Story, comes out on May 16.

Sports Illustrated ran an excerpt from the book this week detailing the toughest year of Ortiz's life from the 2012 season with Bobby Valentine through the 2013 World Series championship.

The excerpt starts with Ortiz discussing the hiring of Valentine and how upon hearing of Valentine's hiring he received texts warning him and suggesting he retire rather than deal with Valentine.

I'm a person who has been able to get along with a range of personalities, pretty much everybody, so I tried to block out all the information I had. I tried not to think about the fact that the Red Sox never asked my opinion on players they were thinking about signing or managers they wanted to hire. Ortiz described how Valentine quickly created a toxic atmosphere belittling players and forcing an uncomfortable atmosphere in the clubhouse.

Ortiz noted that, "Maybe the Red Sox wanted to hire a daddy, not a manager," regarding the collapse of the 2011 season when Terry Francona was fired.

Ortiz also described the peace that came upon the team when John Farrell was hired as well as how the team rallied around the Marathon bombings victims en route to winning the 2013 World Series.

Hector Velazquez or Brian Johnson: Who will Boston Red Sox promote to start until David Price is ready?

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Hector Velazquez or Brian Johnson?

Those are the two most likely candidates to take Kyle Kendrick's spot in the Boston Red Sox starting rotation. Boston optioned Kendrick to Triple-A Pawtucket following his poor start Wednesday.

The Red Sox don't need a fifth starter again until May 20 at Oakland.

Whoever is selected then likely would make one or two starts depending on when David Price is ready to return.

Price (elbow) will make his first minor league rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Price will need "the minimum of two rehab starts."

If he needs just two rehab starts, he could return to the Red Sox by May 24 at Fenway Park vs. the Rangers. If he makes three rehab starts, he'll likely pitch for the first time in the majors this season during the Red Sox's final series of May, which is in Chicago against the White Sox (May 29-31).

"There's a couple of candidates I think are probably a little bit ahead of the group," Farrell said. "The one thing we have to look at is, do we run four straight left-handers or do we kind of mix a right-hander in there?"

Velazquez is right-handed and Johnson is left-handed.

"These are all things that are being taken into account," Farrell added. "Looking at the matchups, we go to the West Coast. We have a little bit bigger ballpark in Oakland to deal with. So while we'll take the best pitcher, the guy that's pitching the best, we'll also factor in the other things."

Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.64 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in five starts at Pawtucket. Opponents are batting .250 against him.

Velazquez is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA and 0.73 WHIP in four starts. Opponents are batting just .151 against him.

Jamie Callahan, Red Sox reliever prospect, promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket

Jen McCaffrey

With Boston's No. 2 pitching prospect Travis Lakins promoted to Double-A Portland, that meant a promotion for right-hander Jamie Callahan. Callahan, 22, posted a 1.38 ERA over 10 appearances in Double-A Portland. He struck out 20 and walked none in 13 innings. The right-hander impressed in spring training with the big league club, posting an 0.82 ERA over 10 appearances including one save. He struck out 11 and walked two. The Red Sox drafted Callahan in the second round of the 2012 draft.

Travis Lakins, Boston Red Sox's No. 2 pitching prospect, promoted to Portland; Brian Bannister gives scouting report

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Travis Lakins, the No. 2 pitching prospect in the Boston Red Sox system behind Jason Groome, has earned a promotion to Double-A Portland.

Lakins, a 22-year-old righty who the Red Sox drafted in the sixth round in 2015 out of Ohio State, started this season at High-A Salem where he went 5-0 with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts (38 innings). He struck out 43 and walked 13. The opposition batted just .225 against him.

Lakins dealt with a stress fracture in his right elbow last year that caused his season to go downhill in a hurry. After starting out 3-1 with a 2.13 ERA in five starts during April, his velocity dropped and he finished with 6-3 record and 5.93 ERA in 19 outings (18 starts) for Salem.

Lakins rehabbed the injury and he's back to full strength here in 2017.

Brian Bannister, Red Sox assistant pitching coach and pitching development analyst, gave MassLive.com his scouting report on Lakins here at Miller Park today before the Red Sox and Brewers game.

Bannister travels with the major league club full time but he said 90 percent of his work has to do with the minor leaguers.

"He has the potential to spin and shape four pitches," Bannister said about Lakins. "There's velo to the fastball. Working on that and power and depth to the changeup. He's always been able to spin a curveball. He's been in the process of adding a harder breaking ball -- a cutter/slider in the high 80s. So he's refining the shape of that pitch, the execution of it, the consistency, in a way that protects his arm. It got a little big last year and I think that's what led to the elbow issue. So we're going to make sure he throws it right. Because he spins the curveball so well that he has a tendency to spin the slider too big."

Tyler Thornburg, Boston Red Sox little puzzled by his long rehab back from right shoulder impingement

Christopher Smith

MILWAUKEE -- Reliever Tyler Thornburg (right shoulder impingement) still hasn't thrown a bullpen session despite initiating a throwing program 30 days ago (April 12).

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Thornburg still trying to get through more aggressive flat ground work.

The Red Sox want Thornburg to throw long toss at 150 feet before his first bullpen session. He has been beyond 120 "at times," Farrell said.

"Yet there's still some work being done with just the overall intensity, the aggressiveness to which he's trying to exert some energy to get a better flight, a better carry to his throws along with the additional strengthening he goes through and has been doing through for quite some time," Farrell said.

Farrell was asked if he has any concern something deeper is going on with Thornburg because the rehab is taking so long.

"I think it's been a little bit of a puzzle for all involved here, including Tyler because the MRI that's he's gone through -- while showing a little bit of an impingement -- hasn't revealed anything more structural than that," Farrell said. "So while the inflammation has subsided, he's still not over the hump, so to speak, to the extent that we would have anticipated. So I can't tell you that there's additional testing scheduled. But we're still working through to get the arm strength built up."

* New Hampshire Union Leader

Mike Shalin's Working Press: Thomas got a little help from his friends

Mike Shalin

IT WAS time for the other Celtics to, as they say, step up.

With the Wizards throwing the kitchen sink at Isaiah Thomas, the Little Big Man had to defer to his pals Wednesday night. They came through, the Celtics cruised to a blowout win and now are a win away from a date with the Cavaliers.

While Avery Bradley exploded for 25 points in the first half, it was really Al Horford, playing “point center” in a style reminiscent of Larry Bird’s “point forward” play, leading the offense — and the Wizards never had a chance.

Especially the way they didn’t guard anyone but Thomas.

“I’m just amazed because we were so thrilled at the chance of getting Al even before he decided to come to us,” Celtics GM Danny Ainge told the Boston Herald after the game. “And I think that every one of us is even more grateful for Al after having him with us.

“But it seems like some fans don’t understand, maybe because they’re playing fantasy league or something. I don’t know. But we’re trying to win basketball games, and Al Horford, his offensive and defensive presence, has been enormous for us this year. We’d be nowhere near where we are without him, and I don’t think there’s any player, coach, anybody that is around him day to day that doesn’t understand and appreciate him. Not just his value but his amazing value to our team.

“You just look at some of the data stuff that people come up with, and he’s like the best player numbers- wise in the Chicago series. But people still look at 14 points and how many rebounds and blah blah blah.”

His teammates love him and the fans seem to be catching on.

Said Brad Stevens: “Al has been one of our primary playmakers all year. There were times in the Chicago series especially where he brought the ball down the floor for us and we played out of a kind of a five outlook. And today he was usually the second guy to touch it and was able to read whatever was the right next play.

“When we went on a run at the end of the third he was passing out of the post. His ability to make people around him better has been very helpful to our team, obviously.”

Thomas, who had only 10 points until scoring eight straight in the fourth quarter (he took four shots in the first half), didn’t seem to mind not being the big scorer. In fact, it had to be a bit of a weight off his shoulders to have others do the heavy lifting.

“I guess that’s how I’ve got to play,” Thomas said after the game. “As a basketball player, you’ve just got to read what the defense is giving you. I was just trying to do whatever I could to win tonight, really. Knowing that they were putting a lot of pressure on me and putting two, three guys on me at all times.

“Next game I might drop 40. You never know.”

He might. But here’s where it gets sticky.

With the Game 5 win in the bank, the Celtics now have to try tonight to record the first road win in the 10 games between these teams this season. You know the Verizon Center will be nuts and you also know the Celts laid two tremendously large eggs in Games 3 and 4.

There will be a game at TD Garden Monday night. The question is will the Celtics be playing Washington or Cleveland.

But if the entire list of potential scorers can come through, perhaps the Bostons can reverse the season series trend.

“It can’t just be Isaiah Thomas every night,” said Bradley. “... Tonight it happened to be me. Next game it could be Marcus Smart. You just have to be prepared.”

Washington coach Scott Brooks, clearly upset his team didn’t come out with more fire, said after Game 5, “I thought we would come out better tonight.”

Count on them doing that in Game 6.

Some leftovers

Courtesy of my pal/stat wizard (no pun intended) Dick Lipe after Wednesday’s game:

• Horford: Only player in last 34 years to have an .800+ field goal percentage, 7+ assists and 3+ blocks in a playoff game.

• Since 1964, Boston is 39-7 all-time in playoffs with 30+ assists, including 28-1 at home (including Wednesday).

• Wednesday was first time Bradley scored more than 27 points in a home game (playoff/regular season). Before Wednesday, his 6 games with 28+ all came on road.

• Before this series, the C’s had not scored 93+ points in 1st 3 Q of a playoff game since 1991. This is the second time in this series that it has happened (Game 1, 95).

• The Celtics are 27-0 this season (2-0 in the postseason) when leading after three quarters at home.

Pats lend a hand

Cute: CSN tweeted a picture of Bill Belichick in the front row with the words: “Jae Crowder said the Celtics know the Wizards’ plays. Hmmm ... wonder how.”

Very odd sight at the game: all the Patriots’ personnel, including LeGarrette Blount, who remains dangling after the $1.1 million tender offered by the club Wednesday. Sorry, but this guy deserves more respect. He had too good of a season to be floating in football oblivion.

Treading water

You worried about the Red Sox yet?

Mookie Betts crashed a three-run homer to win Thursday’s game and avoid a drop to .500. But they went just 3-3 on a trip to two cities hardly expecting to be hosting postseason baseball.

Online betting service Bovada had the Red Sox and Cubs favored to get into the World Series, right? Well, Thursday’s win got the Red Sox up to 18-16, while the Cubbies, fresh off losing two out of three in Denver after getting swept at home by the Yankees, are 17-17.

Clearly, both are capable of getting things together, but remember, no team has repeated as World Series winners since the 1999 and 2000 Yankees and no National League team has done it since the 1975 and ’76 Reds. Think about that!

Think, though, of how big that Betts homer in the ninth inning Thursday really was. This was one that easily could have gotten away. More wasted chances, John Farrell probably pulling Eduardo Rodriguez too soon, the bullpen — aside from Craig Kimbrel — a scary mess.

But Betts did what great players do. He came through in the clutch and allowed his team to come home for a brief three-game homestand against the Rays, who fell to 17-20 with Thursday’s home loss to the Kansas City Royals. Bat Betts anywhere you want to bat him. It just doesn’t matter.

And Kimbrel? He is putting together one of those special relief seasons and has even been good so far when there is no save involved.

He got the win Thursday and deserved it.

* RedSox.com

Betts on it: Mookie mashes to defeat Crew

Adam McCalvy and Ian Browne

MILWAUKEE -- After the Red Sox and Brewers both missed prime opportunities in the eighth inning Thursday, Boston's Mookie Betts wasn't going to let another chance slip away in the ninth.

Betts smashed a three-run home run off Brewers closer Neftali Feliz, snapping a tie that had stood since the sixth and giving the Red Sox a 4-1 win at Miller Park in the finale of an Interleague series. Craig Kimbrel's escape in the eighth and Betts' blast -- which followed a leadoff walk and an error charged to shortstop Orlando Arcia -- meant Boston avoided a three-game sweep.

"I mean, we put ourselves in good position, so we can't ask for a whole lot more," Betts said. "Once we continue to put pressure on somebody, eventually something good happens, and that's kind of what we were doing."

Betts had a big series, going 7-for-11 with five runs scored, three doubles, two home runs, four walks and eight RBIs, including his double, home run and two walks Thursday.

"This road trip, [Betts is] certainly impacting the baseball, no bigger than the three-run homer in the ninth to give us the lead," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "And he's come up big in so many situations, and in the early part of the season, maybe 25 percent of the way through, that's probably as big a swing as he's had all year for us."

Betts reached safely three times against Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson, who limited the damage to one first-inning run in 6 2/3 innings for Milwaukee's fifth start all season that lasted beyond the sixth.

"That's a good club over there, and to only have to face Kimbrel once out of three games is pretty reassuring," Nelson said of taking two of three from the Red Sox. "They're a good club year in and year out. It shows we can hang with teams like that."

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED Crazy eighth, Part 1: Brewers reliever Corey Knebel has at least one strikeout in all 19 of his appearances, and he sure needed them on Thursday. After striking out Betts with a runner aboard to end the seventh, Knebel found himself in big trouble in the eighth, when Boston put runners at second and third with nobody out in a tie game. Knebel regained some control by inducing an infield popout from the dangerous Andrew Benintendi, but then walked Mitch Moreland to load the bases. Knebel stopped the rally there, getting Jackie Bradley Jr. and Josh Rutledge to swing under high fastballs for a pair of strikeouts.

"It got to a point where you have to let him face the guy with the bases loaded there," Brewers manager Craig Counsell said of pushing Knebel to a career-high 41 pitches. "That was the last hitter he was going to have. The way the inning played out, he was the guy."

Crazy eighth, Part 2: The Brewers mounted their own threat in the bottom of the eighth, putting runners on the corners in an inning that began with Matt Barnes on the mound for Boston and ended with Kimbrel. Arcia advanced to third when Keon Broxton swung at a curveball that bounced far in front of home plate for a wild pitch, but Kimbrel followed up with a 99-mph fastball up in the zone for an inning-ending strikeout. With that, a 1-1 tie went to the ninth, when Kimbrel struck out the side after the Red Sox jumped in front.

"Yeah, I mean there were a lot of variables that put me in the game today," Kimbrel said. "I hadn't thrown a lot over the last week. And the last few days, our bullpen has done a lot. Today was the day I had to get in there early. Tie ballgame, throw the save situation out the door. My job is to help this team win, and I was able to do that today."

QUOTABLE "Neftali is struggling right now. He's struggling, and we have to get him on track. Save situation, non-save situation -- it's a tie ball game in the ninth inning. It's a big spot. We're not playing for saves, we're playing for wins. -- Counsell, on Feliz, who now has nine walks versus 13 strikeouts this season

"Honestly, I was looking at the jumbotron and looking where I was in the order. Thought maybe it would get around to me. It didn't happen. I was able to go out there and finish the job." -- Kimbrel, hoping he was going to have a rare chance to hit in the top of the ninth

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS Dustin Pedroia has gone 67 straight games without an error for the Red Sox, dating back to Aug. 19, 2016.

UPON FURTHER REVIEW Nelson recorded his final out with an assist from Counsell, who requested a challenge after pinch-hitter Chris Young was deemed hit by a pitch in the seventh. Replays showed that Nelson's pitch actually struck the knob of Young's bat, so he was ordered back to the batter's box. Instead of runners at first and second with one out in a 1-1 game, Nelson rebounded to strike out Young, then yielded to reliever Knebel for the final out of a scoreless inning.

WHAT'S NEXT Red Sox: Rick Porcello will try to continue his recent roll when he opens a brief three-game homestand for the Red Sox on Friday night against the Rays. Porcello has a 1.69 ERA in his past four starts. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 ET. Alex Cobb makes the start for Tampa Bay.

Brewers: The Brewers will begin hosting a three-game series with the banged-up Mets at 7:10 p.m. CT on Friday. Matt Harvey will be making his return to the rotation after a three-game suspension for missing a game, while Matt Garza is slated to start for the Crew. Garza is coming off his best start of the season, a no- decision where he held the Pirates to one run over seven innings.

Farrell mulling options until Price's return

Ian Browne

MILWAUKEE -- The upcoming off-day on Monday comes at a good time for the Red Sox, as it gives manager John Farrell the option of going with a four-man rotation until May 20.

After optioning Kyle Kendrick to Triple-A Pawtucket, Boston is carrying four starters (Rick Porcello, Chris Sale, Eduardo Rodriguez and Drew Pomeranz) and an extra reliever in Robbie Ross Jr., who was recalled from Pawtucket.

It's possible the Red Sox could call up a fifth starter before May 20. At this point, Farrell basically needs a temporary rotation member to bridge the gap until David Price returns, which could be by May 24 or 29.

"We'll determine when that fifth starter will be inserted," Farrell said. "There's a couple of things we may look to do. With both Chris and Rick working deep into games, one approach we could take is to insert someone in between those two guys to spread out the bullpen, or just add the fifth starter on the back end. That's all kind of in the works right now." This weekend, Porcello will pitch Friday against the Rays, followed by Sale on Saturday. The co-aces have pitched back-to-back all season. A few times, the lack of innings from the other pitchers in the rotation has led to an overworked bullpen.

Lefty Brian Johnson and righty Hector Velazquez are the most likely options at this point to be called up from Pawtucket to fill out the rotation before Price gets back.

Once Price returns, the Red Sox will have a rotation of four lefties and one righty (Porcello). "Yeah, there's a couple of candidates I think are probably ahead of the group," Farrell said when asked about the potential callup to the rotation. "The one thing you have to look at is, 'Do we want four straight left-handers, or do we kind of mix a right-hander in there?' These are things that are all being taken into account looking at the matchups. You've got a little bigger ballpark in Oakland to deal with. So while we'll take the best pitcher who is pitching the best, we'll also factor in the other things we mentioned."

Worth noting • The Red Sox hope to have Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup for the weekend series against the Rays. Ramirez made his first start of the season at first base on Wednesday, but he had to exit with a right trap spasm.

"Some of the symptoms he had last night, the spasming, has kind of relieved itself somewhat," Farrell said before Thursday's game against the Brewers. "He's still going to need some more treatment here this morning. [It's] questionable whether he's going to be available later on to pinch-hit, so that's completely up in the air right now."

• While Carson Smith is making enough strides in his return from Tommy John surgery that he could face hitters by next week, Tyler Thornburg continues to make slow progress in his attempted return from a right shoulder impingement. Both righties could be key to Boston's bullpen this season.

"It's been a little bit of a puzzle for all involved here -- including Tyler -- because the MRI's that he's gone through, while showing a little bit of an impingement, hasn't revealed anything more structural than that," Farrell said. "So while the inflammation has been kicked out of there and been subsided, he's still not over the hump, so to speak, to the extent we would have anticipated. I can't tell you there's additional testing scheduled, but we're still working through to get the arm strength built up."

* ESPNBoston.com

Hot corner has been ice cold for the Red Sox; what's next?

Scott Lauber

BOSTON -- The hot corner has gone cold. Frigid, actually.

Through 34 games, the Boston Red Sox already have used six third basemen. And between them, Pablo Sandoval, Brock Holt, Marco Hernandez, Steve Selsky, Josh Rutledge and Deven Marrero have posted a .574 OPS, dead last in the majors at the position. Worse yet, they have combined for 12 errors, four more than any other team's total at third base.

"I've considered an exorcism at third base."

Red Sox manager John Farrell Such incompetence is untenable in any circumstance. But for a post-David Ortiz era Red Sox team that knows it won't score as many runs without its retired designated hitter and is counting more than ever on pitching and run prevention to win games, it's particularly damaging.

So, as the Sox return Friday to Fenway Park to open a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, it's well worth asking what they're going to do about their festering third-base problem.

"I've considered an exorcism at third base," manager John Farrell said recently. "See if we can clean things up in some form or fashion."

All kidding aside, the Red Sox have a few options short of ancient ritual healing. A look at some potential solutions:

1. Get healthy, then let the best man win.

Two and a half weeks after going on the disabled list with a sprained right knee, Sandoval is inching closer to a minor league rehab assignment. But his return to the field hardly guarantees an uptick in performance.

The Red Sox have been below league average in OPS at third base in each of the past four seasons. They bottomed out at .580 in 2014, prompting them to sign Sandoval to a five-year, $95 million contract. But they still ranked 11th in the American League with a .693 OPS in 2015.

Sandoval was off to a slow start before his injury. He's batting .213 with three homers and a .646 OPS in 67 plate appearances and is only 3-for-16 from the right side of the plate. He also made four errors in 16 games.

It's noteworthy, then, that Holt also is nearing a return after a three-week absence due to vertigo. The utility man is most valuable when he's shuttling between multiple positions, and as a left-handed hitter, he doesn't fit as a platoon partner for Sandoval. But if Holt outplays Sandoval, he also represents an everyday alternative at third base.

Let's not forget that Farrell turned to Holt late last season over lefty-hitting Travis Shaw, even starting him at third base in the American League Division Series against the Cleveland Indians.

2. Turn to a top prospect.

Through 26 games at Double-A Portland, 20-year-old Rafael Devers is 29-for-95 (.305) with a .919 OPS and six homers, including a grand slam last Saturday that was estimated at 426 feet. Not bad for the second- youngest player in the Eastern League behind New York Yankees shortstop prospect Gleyber Torres.

Oh, and did we mention that Devers is a third baseman?

"Devers has done great," said Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski, who made a scheduled trip to Portland this week. "We like him a lot. He's having a great season. He's in Double-A at 20 years old right now. We're happy where he is right now."

Operative words: "Right now."

Dombrowski has a history of fast-tracking prospects when there's a clear need at the big league level. In 2009, for example, he put Rick Porcello in the Detroit Tigers' rotation as a 20-year-old rookie. Just last season, the Sox promoted Andrew Benintendi and Yoan Moncada directly from Double-A with the intention of playing them every day at left field and third base, respectively.

But that wasn't until after the All-Star break. And while Benintendi adjusted seamlessly thanks in part to a college pedigree that produced an advanced plate approach, Moncada went 4-for-19 with 12 strikeouts and wasn't the immediate fix the Red Sox were seeking.

Moncada's struggles last September might serve as a cautionary tale for rushing Devers. At a minimum, the Sox likely will expose Devers to older, craftier pitchers in Triple-A before bringing him to the big leagues.

If Devers continues to rake in the minors, though, and Boston's play at third base doesn't improve, his debut will come sooner than expected.

3. Make a trade.

It's not yet even Memorial Day, so most teams aren't close to being ready to talk trade. When they are, though, you know Dealer Dave will be dialing the phone.

Since he was hired in August 2015, Dombrowski has proved to be both aggressive and decisive in upgrading the roster. Last year he struck early, making moves for infielder Aaron Hill, reliever Brad Ziegler and starter Drew Pomeranz well ahead of the trade deadline.

Third base isn't the only area of need. Depending on the status of relievers Carson Smith and Tyler Thornburg, the Red Sox could be in the market for bullpen help. Smith is recovering from last year's Tommy John surgery and doesn’t figure to be ready until at least late June, while Thornburg still hasn't thrown from a mound since being diagnosed in spring training with a right shoulder impingement.

But if third base remains a glaring trouble spot even after the returns of Sandoval and Holt, don't be surprised if the Red Sox are linked to Mike Moustakas of the Kansas City Royals and Todd Frazier of the Chicago White Sox, both of whom are signed only through this season and might not require a hefty prospect haul.

Otherwise, there’s always that exorcism Farrell mentioned.

* WEEI.com

Red Sox 4, Brewers 1: Give John Farrell Some Credit For Using Craig Kimbrel In A Weird Way

Rob Bradford

When Milwaukee slugger Eric Thames came up to bat in the eighth inning Thursday afternoon with a runner on first base and the score tied at 1-1, there was a few ways John Farrell could go.

The Red Sox manager might have stuck with the team’s proclaimed eighth-inning guy, Matt Barnes, who had kicked off his outing by walking Orlando Arcia with one out in the frame.

Or perhaps Farrell might have gone to one of the three lefties sitting out in the Red Sox’ bullpen. One of the problems with that, however, was that Thames came into the at-bat hitting .400 (12-for-30, 5 homers) against left-handers.

So, Farrell did something off the beaten track. He brought in Craig Kimbrel.

“Knowing that they’re going to have [Ryan] Braun or Thames ready to go in the pitcher’s slot, felt like whether we’re in a two-out, nobody on situation or the situation that unfolded, we’d go to Kimbrel there,” Farrell told reporters. “Whether it was going to be four or five outs, that was to be determined, but he’s been so efficient and had only thrown I think 11 pitches over an eight-day period. Well-rested, knew that today was a possibility to get him into the eighth inning.”

It was the second time on the six-game road trip the manager brought in Kimbrel to get the last five outs of a game, having done so Sunday in Minnesota. But in that game the Red Sox actually had the lead, and ultimately they wouldn’t need the closer’s services in the ninth thanks to a 10-run inning.

But, with it becoming very clear Kimbrel has become the kind of weapon a team can’t just use in a conventional manner, the move could be justified.

Not only was Farrell using his best pitcher to not allow the runner on first to score, with one of this season’s best hitters in Thames coming to the plate, but there was some confidence that the Red Sox could push across a go-ahead run before Kimbrel exited. Even with the bottom of the batting order coming up, the visitors were going to go up against a bad Milwaukee bullpen, which in this case was represented by a struggling Neftali Feliz.

The whole thing worked out for the Red Sox.

Kimbrel struck out Thames, and, after an infield hit by Jonathan Villar, ended the eighth with another punch-out, this one against Keon Broxton.

Then, sure enough, Feliz imploded. First came a walk to Christian Vazquez, which was followed by a subpar bunt from Deven Marrero (who had come in when Kimbrel arrived as part of a double-switch). Fortunately for the Red Sox Arcia dropped the throw from Felix on the sacrifice, putting runners on first and second and paving the way for Mookie Betts’ game-winning three-run homer.

From there, Kimbrel closed things out by striking out the side. When it was all said and done, not only did the reliever pick up his second win of the season, but has now retired 37 of his last 39 batters, 26 by strikeout.

Shattering Perceptions Game Note Image

Eduardo Rodriguez pitched very well once again, allowing one run on three hits over six innings, lowering his ERA to 2.80. The only reason he came out after 87 pitches was because Farrell chose to pinch-hit for him in the seventh inning with the potential go-ahead run on base.

* CSNNE.com

Red Sox Interest In Eric Thames Wasn't A Factor For Brewers

Evan Drellich

In what was an already complicated contract valuation attempt, the Brewers weren’t worried about the Red Sox when it came to Eric Thames.

The Sox never made an offer on the Brewers slugger this winter, but did follow him closely.

While the Brewers were aware Thames could go elsewhere, the Sox’ interest was not a factor in their own pursuit, Brewers general manager David Stearns said.

In general, the Brewers didn’t get bogged down trying to price Thames based on other teams’ interest. Coming off dominating seasons in Korea, the Brewers gave Thames three years and $16 million.

“We thought we had an idea what other teams might be pursuing him as well,” Stearns said on the CSNNE Baseball Show Podcast (listen below). “We also knew that there were international teams both in Korea and Japan that were pursuing him quite aggressively. We knew we had a level of competition. Frankly as went through our process, we just determined what we thought was appropriate value. And we understood that there was a chance that we could potentially be outbid. And if that was the case so be it.

“But we tried to stay pretty strict to our own process and understand how we valued the risk. … Certainly, if you had complete information and you knew what other teams’ level of interest was and you knew what they were bidding or proposing for a particular player it would make our jobs a lot easier to determine what an appropriate value is. And you can have those conversations internally and you can try to figure it out, but it’s not an easy thing to predict, and so generally, the safer alternative is to really focus on your own situation and what you think the appropriate value for the player is.”

* Associated Press

Betts' 3-run homer in 9th sends Red Sox past Brewers 4-1

MILWAUKEE -- Mookie Betts got what he wanted.

Betts' three-run home run in the ninth inning Thursday lifted the Boston Red Sox to a 4-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. It was Betts' fifth homer of the season and third in his last four games, and helped Boston salvage one win in the three-game series in the Red Sox's first trip to Milwaukee since 2003.

Boston's right fielder enjoyed his time at Miller Park, as he went 7 for 11 with eight runs batted in and five runs scored.

"He's certainly impacting the baseball," Boston manager John Farrell said. "He's come up big in so many situations. But this was probably as big of a swing as he's had all year for us."

Milwaukee closer Neftali Feliz (0-4) came on in the ninth, but managed to get only one out. Red Sox pitcher Craig Kimbrel (2-0) got the final five outs as Boston snapped the Brewers' three-game winning streak.

Christian Vazquez led off the ninth with a walk. He was safe at second on a fielder's choice when Deven Marrero's bunt was fielded by Feliz, but his throw to second base was dropped by shortstop Orlando Arcia.

Betts followed with a deep shot to left to help Boston wrap up its six-game road trip with a 3-3 record.

"I was just trying to be ready for a fastball," Betts said. "He throws 100, so that's his best pitch. I was able to get a good one and put a good swing on it."

Boston quickly got on the board in the first inning. Betts led off with a double, took third on a sacrifice bunt by Dustin Pedroia and scored when Xander Bogaerts' ground ball rolled under the glove of first baseman Jesus Aguilar.

In the bottom of the inning, Boston starter Eduardo Rodriguez gave up a one-out double to Keon Broxton, but then retired the next 13 batters. In the sixth, he allowed a lead-off single to Manny Pina, who scored on a two-out double to left by Jonathan Villar.

Rodriguez, who struck out five and allowed three hits in six innings, has given up five earned runs in his last 29 1/3 innings.

His counterpart, Jimmy Nelson, struck out eight, allowed four hits and an unearned run in 6 2/3 innings.

"Both starters were excellent," Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell said. "It felt like it was a game where runs were going to be pretty tough to come by."

OUCH!

Boston's Mitch Moreland hit a foul ball that knocked the face mask straight over the head of catcher Pina and sent him on his backside. A few innings later, Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez's mask was jarred off on a ball hit by Villar.

NEW DAY JOB

Milwaukee's manager of media relations, Ken Spindler, was one of the ball boys. His one blemish came when he misplayed a throw from left fielder Andrew Benintendi as they warmed up between innings and had to chase after the ball along the foul line.

KENDRICK REPLACED

Before the game, Boston recalled LHP Robbie Ross Jr. from Triple-A Pawtucket after the team optioned RHP Kyle Kendrick there Wednesday night. Kendrick (0-2) was shelled for six runs and 10 hits in 4 1/3 innings on Wednesday, giving him an earned run average of 12.96 this season.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Hanley Ramirez, who left the game Wednesday with a muscle spasm in his upper back, received treatment in the morning and did not play.

Brewers: Ryan Braun also sat out and is unlikely to play Friday because of a left calf strain.

UP NEXT

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (2-4) faces Tampa Bay again after allowing eight earned runs in 4 1/3 innings against the Rays on April 14.

Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (1-0) makes his fourth start of the year as the New York Mets visit.

* The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Red Sox 4, Brewers 1: Feliz falters again in the ninth

Todd Rosiak

A tough start to the season got even tougher for Milwaukee Brewers closer Neftali Feliz on Thursday afternoon.

The right-hander surrendered a three-run home run to Mookie Betts in the ninth inning, allowing the Boston Red Sox to escape Miller Park with a 4-1 victory and denying the Brewers a chance to improve to 5-0 in interleague play.

Feliz's travails ruined what was otherwise a solid day on the mound by Milwaukee pitchers. Starter Jimmy Nelson struck out a season-high-tying eight over 6 2/3 innings and Corey Knebel followed him with a hard- nosed 1 1/3-inning stint of relief.

Feliz dug a quick hole in the ninth by walking No. 8 hitter Christian Vázquez. Pinch-hitter Deven Marrero followed with a bunt that Feliz fielded, but Orlando Arcia dropped his throw to second base, leaving two on for Betts.

Having already crushed Milwaukee pitching in the series, Betts deposited a 97-mph fastball from Feliz well into the left-field seats to give Boston a 4-1 lead.

It was the fifth homer of the season allowed by Feliz in 16 innings. He's 8 for 9 in save opportunities but has not fared well when entering tie games, as he did Thursday. He took the loss to drop to 0-4, and his ERA stands at an ugly 6.19.

"Neftali is struggling right now," said manager Craig Counsell. "That's a big spot. It's the biggest spot in the game."

Boston reliever Craig Kimbrel, who got the last two outs in the eighth, made quick work of the Brewers in the bottom of the ninth.

The Red Sox grabbed the lead three batters into the game as Betts doubled to lead off, moved up to third on a Dustin Pedroia bunt and scored when Jesús Aguilar couldn't handle a chopper to first by Xander Bogaerts.

Nelson allowed runners in each of the next four innings but each time prevented further damage, with double-play balls in the third and fifth helping. Nelson's first and only 1-2-3 inning came in the sixth.

On the other side, left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez rolled through the Brewers lineup.

He gave up only a double to Keon Broxton through five innings, and he had retired 13 straight until Manny Piña singled to open the bottom of the sixth.

Nelson bunted Piña up to second with one out, and Jonathan Villar followed with a run-scoring double to left to knot the score at 1-1.

After surrendering a leadoff single in the seventh Nelson recorded the next two outs before departing in favor of Knebel, who struck out Betts on eight pitches. Nelson fell 1/3 of an inning short of tying his season high, and his 106 pitches set a new high-water mark.

The outing was a great follow-up to Nelson's frustrating three-inning, rain-shortened start last time out in Pittsburgh – a game that lasted only slightly longer than the delay and ended in a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Pirates.

"Both starters were excellent," Counsell said. "We were having a hard time against Rodriguez. His changeup was very effective.

"Jimmy was pitching very well. ... It felt like a game that runs were going to be pretty tough to come by."

Knebel used a herculean effort to get himself out of trouble in the eighth.

After allowing a double and single to start, he got Andrew Benintendi to pop out. Mitch Moreland walked to load the bases, and Knebel responded by striking out both Jackie Bradley Jr. and Rutledge to maintain the tie.

Knebel got Rutledge with a 96-mph fastball and then stalked off the mound with a roar and a fist pump, an animated response for the normally understated Texan.

He threw a career-high 41 pitches while lowering his ERA to an even 1.00.

Might he potentially supplant Feliz as closer? Not at this point, says Counsell.

"Corey is doing exactly what we want him to do," he said. "The flexibility we have with him, using him in different situations, has been very effective. My preference is to be flexible with Corey.

"He's getting some of the biggest outs of the game. He did today. He went through the toughest part of their lineup and got four outs."

The Brewers got a runner on in the ninth when Arcia walked with one out, bringing pinch-hitter Eric Thames to the plate. Boston manager John Farrell countered with Kimbrel, who fanned both Thames and Broxton with 98-mph fastballs.

BEHIND THE BOX SCORE

• Ryan Braun and Thames were both out of the lineup. Braun already had been scheduled for an off day before straining his left calf in Wednesday's game. Thames hadn't had an off day since April 11, the Brewers' first road game.

• Utility man Nick Franklin entered the day as the only Brewers player with any previous experience against Rodriguez (2 for 2), but he wasn't in the lineup.

STAT SHEET

• Broxton is hitting .375 with two homers, seven RBI and a .444 on-base percentage after hitting .119 with two stolen bases over his first 14 games.

• Knebel now has at least one strikeout in each of his 19 appearances this season (18 innings, 29 strikeouts). He's the only reliever in the majors with at least one strikeout in every appearance (minimum 15).

RECORD

This year: 18-17 (9-11 home; 9-6 away)

Last year: 14-21

ATTENDANCE

Thursday: 26,499

2017 total: 556,783 (27,839 avg.)

Last year: 545,373 (27,269 avg.)

NEXT GAME

Friday: Brewers vs. Mets, 7:10 p.m. Milwaukee RHP Matt Garza (1-0, 2.55) vs. New York RHP Matt Harvey (2-2, 5.14). TV: FS Wisconsin. Radio: AM-620.