Red Sox Extend Winning Streak with Emotional Win Over Nationals
The Red Sox extend their season-long winning streak to five games Monday evening, powered by an action packed first inning.
The Red Sox took a commanding lead in the bottom of the first inning, headlined by Willson Contreras’ three-run, no-doubt home run. Caleb Durbin got in on the fun, hitting a solo home run to give Boston a 4-1 lead. Ranger Suarez threw six strong innings, including eight strikeouts, and got his fourth win of the season. Final score: 6-3. Boston improves to 37-46 on a five-game winning streak.
Willson Contreras Ejected?
Contreras’ 421-foot towering blast was the highlight of the series opening game. He unleashed a massive bat flip, shouted “Venezuela!” toward Boston’s dugout, pumped his chest, and circled the bases. Upon getting back to the dugout—and taking off the Wally helmet—Contreras broke down emotionally.
Postgame, he told Ian Browne, “The homer just represents something that I prayed to God for it to happen, because that’s the only thing that I can do for Venezuela right now, physically, and that’s when my emotions showed,” Contreras said. “I was thinking of so many kids that have died, so many people that have died, and it’s not easy to deal with it.” The emotion stems from the recent earthquakes in his home country of Venezuela that has claimed the lives of over 1,700 people. Contreras and other Venezuelan players on the roster—and across the league—have been dealing with the tragedy with heavy hearts for the last handful of games. Contreras shared the weight on his shoulders, “[I was thinking about] everything that’s going on in Venezuela, I think. It’s not easy to hide. It’s not easy just to show up and play with everything that’s going on in my country.”
Unfortunately, Contreras’ night ended in the second inning. After a checked-swing strikeout call by first-base umpire Nic Lentz, he tapped his helmet while walking back to the dugout (a gesture mimicking the ABS challenge signal for a non-challengeable call), Lentz took it as mocking and ejected him immediately.
Nic Lentz, in light of everything going on, decided to make something out of nothing, take things personally, and make a moment about himself. Soft as Charmin.
Lentz later explained he saw it as disrespectful, gesturing toward an unchallengeable call. No, it’s embarrassing how insecure you are. He didn’t like the emotion Contreras showed after his homer and was looking for a reason to get him out of the ballgame. Again, soft as Charmin.
Ranger Suarez and the Quality Start Streak
Suarez turned in another quality outing: 6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 8 K. Red Sox starters have now recorded 12 consecutive quality starts, the longest streak by the club since 1988. During this stretch, starters are 7-1 with a 1.77 ERA while allowing an opponents batting average of .168.
Caleb Durbin in June
Durbin continues his red-hot June, homering in the first inning (his seventh of the year). Once among the league’s weakest hitters over the first two months, he made tweaks with his approach and stance. Over the past 30 days Durbin is slashing .325/.360/.614, that’s good for a .974 OPS.
Not too long ago, fans—including myself—were calling for him to be demoted to Worcester. Now? He’s being called Home Run Derby.
The Anthony Seigler Spark
Acquired in the Durbin trade, Anthony Seigler was not expected to contribute meaningfully this soon, especially after injury issues in spring training and time in Triple-A. Since his call-up, however, he is the spark the Red Sox needed. Seigler’s slashing .361 with a .981 OPS since earning a starting role for an offense begging for production. Timely hits, good defense (1 OOA), and relentless energy on and off the field. The 27-year old utility man went 2/3 with a double, run, and a stolen base.
The Bottom Line
I won’t dub the Red Sox ‘good,’ yet. But, yet is a key word.
As long as the offense isn’t historically bad, they’re going to win a ton of games against a weak American League.
Is the roster still poorly constructed? Yes.
Is that the players fault? No.
Should Craig Breslow keep his job? No, but if the Red Sox are still doing this “reassignment” thing, maybe that’s not the worst idea.
The biggest question right now is: Can the good times keep rolling, and for how long?
11 games remain before the All-Star break. Boston currently is 4.5 games out of the final Wild Card spot. They need to leap-frog six teams in order to get into that final position. With matchups against the Nationals (2), Angels (3), White Sox (3), and the Mets (3).
There is a possibility—because of recent play—that the Sox can creep their way into the playoff race, and with nothing else to lose, let’s sit back and enjoy the ride.