BOSTON — The Boston Purple Sox have been in “survival mode,” as supervisor Alex Cora put it.
Beginning pitcher James Paxton exited attributable to a proper calf pressure simply 5 pitches into the competition, which compelled Boston go to the bullpen lower than one inning into its sequence finale in opposition to the Houston Astros. Paxton mentioned he felt a “pop.”
The Purple Sox already entered the competition short-handed within the pitching division given Brayan Bello stays on the paternity record, Cooper Criswell is on the COVID-related injured record, Nick Pivetta was skipped within the rotation, and so on.
“We needed to someway, a way, get 27 outs,” Cora mentioned after Boston’s 10-2 loss. “Clearly, the rating’s the rating, however we have been in survival mode from the start.”
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“At present, it was very robust.”
It was so robust the Purple Sox, who attended Wealthy Hill’s pitching showcase on Friday, turned to veteran first baseman Dominic Smith within the ninth inning.
Cora hinted at impending roster transactions and mentioned the Purple Sox now can have tough selections to make.
“Actually, we’ll sit down now and there is going to be robust selections incoming as a result of now we have to reset this,” Cora mentioned. “We’ve got to.
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“We have been like, ‘We’re good coverage-wise until one thing unhealthy occurs,’ and it occurred.”
Listed here are extra notes from Purple Sox-Astros:
— It marked the primary time the Purple Sox had been swept at dwelling since mid-April in opposition to the Baltimore Orioles. It is solely the fourth time this season the group was swept.
“Let’s not make it greater than what it’s,” Cora mentioned. “We misplaced three video games. We performed effectively the primary two, immediately they do what they — they put it on us. We acquired to show the web page and prepare for (Monday).”
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— Boston was held to 2 or fewer runs for the primary time since July 28 in opposition to the New York Yankees.
“I feel we chased slightly bit greater than typical,” Cora mentioned of the offense’s sequence in opposition to the Astros.
— Rafael Devers acquired the time off for the Purple Sox, however Cora expects he’ll play Monday in opposition to the Texas Rangers.
— Brennan Bernardino, who allowed 4 runs on 4 hits, struggled along with his command and site.
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Bernardino hit the primary batter he confronted and allowed a runner to attain on a wild pitch. The left-hander then allowed back-to-back dwelling runs by Alex Bregman and Yordan Alvarez within the fifth inning.
“I am simply not making pitches, and among the pitches I’ve made have been hit,” Bernardino mentioned. “Simply not going my approach proper now.”
— The group’s “Massive Three” of Roman Anthony, Marcelo Mayer and Kyle Teel have been promoted to Triple-A Worcester.
“It is good for them,” Cora mentioned. “Simply go on the market and hold getting higher.”
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— “Every thing went effectively,” Cora mentioned earlier than the sport relating to Liam Hendricks, who felt good after his simulation recreation Saturday. The upcoming return of Hendricks certainly would assist the reeling employees.
— Triston Casas believes he nonetheless wants extra at-bats in his rehab, Cora mentioned earlier than Sunday’s recreation. Cora indicated Casas will stay in Triple-A Worcester all through the subsequent week — the WooSox have six consecutive dwelling video games beginning Tuesday — after which will return to Boston. Casas, who final performed April 20 attributable to torn cartilage in his ribcage, must be reinstated by Aug. 19.
“I anticipate him to be with us every time it ends,” Cora mentioned.
— Cora expects Bello will return from the paternity record and pitch the sequence opener in opposition to the Rangers on Monday night time. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET, and you may watch it reside on NESN after an hour of pregame protection.
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