Red Sox 8, Phillies 6: What In The World?

This was quite the tale of two games. For the first four or so innings, the Phillies had all the momentum and the Red Sox had none. It’s not like the home team couldn’t hit the ball…it was just in all the wrong places, right at fielders. Then, on a dime, things changed. A Raffy RBI triple opened things up in the bottom of the 4th inning, then…well, you’ll see.

Key Moments

T1: Terrible From The Get Go

Pivetta couldn’t even get an out before surrendering a run. Walk to Schwarber, Castellanos double, Harper single. A 27-pitch first inning is brutal for any pitcher. It shows the gulf in difference between the Braves—still a good team—and the Phillies. Pivetta, while on his A-game against Atlanta, mowed down batters left and right. Tonight, against a fantastic lineup, and not with his best stuff, not so much.

T5: Enough, Nicky

A pitch count in the 60s through 2+ innings and another two runs in, and Nick Pivetta was toast after this frame. A wise decision by Cora and Bailey to pull Pivetta, whether it was intentional to not risk re-injuring anything, or just in the hopes something would change?

B5: Huh?

How many times have we seen the Red Sox on the opposite side of this play? The elite speed of Duran forcing Whit Merrifield to make a terrible throw and two runs come in. This is a game once again.

Now with the game tied, Enmanuel gives the Sox the lead! I have to give a ton of credit to Valdez, who has looked like a completely different hitter in his most recent call-up, even if he got thrown out at third base.

B6: Hammerin’ Hamilton

I know just how critical I’ve been of Hamilton all season. I know Sunday changed my mind a little bit, and boy, does a quality home run like this tonight for some breathing room help his case. This two-run shot ended up being the game-winning runs!

B7: A Save? In This Economy?

Was Kenley the sharpest? No, giving up a run shouldn’t really be in the cards. But hey, a save is a save.

Overall, an honestly impressive comeback victory for the Red Sox, who maintain their addiction to being .500.

Three Studs

Jarren Duran (3-for-5, 1 run, 1 RBI)

2024 is the year of Jarren Duran, no questions asked. It’s rare to omit him from this section because he’s so consistently contributing to the success of this team.

David Hamilton (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI)

Twice in the same week for me putting Hamilton here? Color me impressed.

Enmanuel Valdez (1-for-1, 2 RBI, 1 BB)

Valdez came in as a pitch hitter for Jamie Westbrook and did his job right away.

Dud

Nick Pivetta (4.0 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 4 BB, 4 K)

Oh Nicky Nails…I was biting my finger nails watching you pitch tonight. It wasn’t just a command issue, it was a control issue. Four walks? It became easy for Phillies hitters to sit on anything good and bring home runs.

Play of the Game

B4: Devers Breaks the Dam

For how impressive a comeback it was for the Red Sox, it doesn’t start without the first run, and Devers pulls another tool out of his bag. It’s been a quietly very good season for Devers (I say as he leads the team in many slugging metrics), but these are contributions you need to see from your $300M+ man.