BOSTON – The fun for the Red Sox continued on Friday night at Fenway Park.
This 6-4 win over the Blue Jays extended Boston’s run to 20-3 since June 25.
Here were some key takeaways from Friday.
“I was going to give him a lineup card. I’ve given him so many already,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “He’s going to have a stack of them, but his career speaks for itself. It’s impressive what he’s doing.”
How many saves can Chapman get before he finally retires?
“[I’m going to do this] until I can’t,” said Chapman. “To be honest with you, I’m just trying to do my job and help the team win, and the number will be the number at the end.”
2. Sandoval wins showdown with Springer
The Jays threatened to ruin lefty Sandoval’s third start since returning from Tommy John surgery when they rallied in the fifth, putting runners on second and third with one out. George Springer, a Connecticut native who loves hitting at Fenway, came up as the potential tying run. Sandoval reached back for something extra, throwing three pitches in that at-bat at 96 mph or higher.
He wound up getting Springer on a popup to catcher Connor Wong on a 96.6 mph sinker. Sandoval wanted to finish the inning, but Tracy pulled him at 84 pitches and one out shy of being able to qualify for the win. The move worked, as Tyron Guerrero induced Alejandro Kirk into a flyout to right to end the threat.
“I just wanted to get through that inning,” said Sandoval. “I know I’m on a pitch count and [still] building up, but once the game starts and you get between those lines, that kind of goes out the window, for me, at least. And I’m just competing and I never want to give the ball up.”
3. Rafaela has been steady … Ceddy?
With his first two seasons marked by going hot and cold at the plate, Ceddanne Rafaela has set himself apart with his consistency in year three. The All-Star center fielder belted a laser that just cleared the Monster for a two-run shot off Trey Yesavage that gave the Red Sox a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third. It was No. 10 on the season for Rafaela. In the top of the sixth, Rafaela made his latest brilliant catch in center, racing to the gap in right-center to rob Daulton Varsho of extra bases.
