Red Sox Rundown: Sox takeaways from doubleheader split with Rays

The Boston Red Sox played their first scheduled doubleheader since 1978 against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday at Fenway Park.

This is the series opener due to the game being postponed on Friday due to rain, and that was rescheduled until Monday.

The Red Sox split the doubleheader, winning the first game but losing the nightcap. Game 1 was the first win against the Rays all season, due to them being swept in the opening series earlier this season. This was also their first doubleheader of the season of any kind, scheduled or postpone causing doubleheaders.

Here’s a few takeaways from the doubleheader.

Game 1: Red Sox use a 6-run inning in the 6th inning to win the afternoon

The Red Sox were trailing 4-1 before the 6th inning when they went off for 6 runs to complete the comeback in Game 1 of Saturday’s doubleheader. This is similar to Thursday’s win against the Cincinnati Reds where they scored six runs in the 8th inning to win the game.

It all started with second baseman Pablo Reyes, who the Sox got in a trade with the Oakland Athletics on May 12, and looks like a nice addition and hopeful solution to the second baseman problem that the Sox have been having in recent years, ever since Dustin Pedoria got injured. Anyways, Reyes hit a RBI single to bring home Kike Hernandez to start the rally.

But the big hit that led the Sox to the lead was Justin Turner’s big three-run double that brought home Reyes, Rafael Devers, and Catcher Reese McGwire.

Turner then scored on a double from Yoshida and then to cap it off Yoshida scored on a RBI single from Jarren Durran, who pinch hit for Rob Refsnyder after being hit by pitch twice.

Reyes scored an insurance run in the 8th off a Dugie double to make the final score 8-5.

Game 2: Red Sox chokes the game in the 9th

The Red Sox and the Rays were tied at 2 before closer Kenley Jansen, who had a save in Game 1 allowed an RBI double from Left fielder Harold Ramirez that made the game 4-2.

The Red Sox had tied the game off an costly error from second baseman Brandon Lowe that brought home catcher Connor Wong.

It wasn’t as offensively explosive as the first game of the doubleheader, but it was a good game regardless.

The big takeaway from today the Red Sox bullpen is stretched

The Red Sox used nine different relievers in both games of the doubleheader as the Sox has been stretching their bullpens. Garret Whitlock only went 4 2/3 inning as the starter before turning to Ryan Sherrif for the final out of the 5th inning.

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The most interesting reliever of the doubleheader has been Corey Kluber who was moved to bullpen after struggling on the mound, and being knocked out of the third inning in his last start against the San Diego Padres on May 21st, and his first appearance since landing on the paternity list which brought up Ryan Sherriff from Triple-A Worcester. Kluber got credit with the win in this game due to pitching the 6th inning. Josh Winchkowski and Caleb Martin both pitched an inning before Jansen got his 12th save of the season.

It was more of the same in Game 2 where Kutter Crawford got the nod at starter where he only pitched three innings. Justin Garza pitched 1 1/3 innings following Crawford and then Sherriff pitched again pitching 1 2/3 innings. Brennan Bernadino pitched two innings setting up for Kenley Jansen, and the rest is history.

Joely Rodriguez who has struggled to stay healthy was warming up in the bullpen but had to sit down due to suffering another injury, apparently to his bicep. Another injury to a banged up pitching core that includes Chris Sale who got injured in Thursday’s win against the Reds.

The Boston Red Sox will look to keep it together tomorrow afternoon with the first pitch at 1:35 pm as Tanner Houck is expected to get the nod on the mound at Fenway Park.