Boston can’t stop winning
Nine in a row, and Boston shows no sign of slowing. The Red Sox hammered the visiting Athletics 13-1 on Friday to open a three-game series, and they carry that nine-game winning streak into Saturday with a shot at 10. The bats have gone from timid to relentless. Boston has scored 25 runs in its past two games alone.
The bigger numbers stagger. The Red Sox have won 11 of their last 12, 27 of their past 30 and 32 of their past 37, the best stretch in franchise history. Friday marked their 12th win in 14 home games and pushed them to 29-29 at Fenway Park. “At the beginning of the season the feeling was, I hope we score,” left fielder Jarren Duran told WEEI. “Now it’s just a matter of when and how much.”
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Two players, two subplots
Jake Rogers made the most of a short stay. Boston picked up the catcher in the trade for Adley Rutschman, needing a backup until Rutschman recovers from left wrist inflammation. Rogers doubled in each of his first two at-bats Friday, walked, drove in a run and scored three times. Rutschman, a three-time All-Star sidelined since July 18, is set to catch five innings for Triple-A Worcester on Saturday.
Raymond Burgos also seized his moment. Called up to patch a bullpen drained by Thursday’s 13-inning marathon against the White Sox, he threw three perfect innings for his first major league save, retiring all nine batters he faced.
A rematch with recent history
The Athletics arrive in free fall. Held to two hits Friday, they have dropped nine straight and parted ways with general manager David Forst, who spent 27 seasons with the organization. “My ask is that they go out and win as many games as possible from this point forward,” manager Mark Kotsay said.
The A’s turn to rookie left-hander Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59), who handed Boston its last loss on July 28 with six scoreless innings. Boston counters with rookie Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90), the losing pitcher that day but 6-1 with a 2.13 ERA over his past eight starts. Something has to give.
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