Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke made a very interesting decision to cut out outfielder Kevin Pillar for Andrew Benintendi in the fourth inning with Boston leading the Toronto Blue Jays through one run and looking for more offense.
It was, certainly at the time, a movement predicated by crime. But it actually proved unworthy until two innings later, with the Red Sox taking advantage of Pillar’s defense in the right field.
However, Roenicke said it was a ‘tough’ decision he wished he did not have to make.
‘It’s still difficult. And I still did not like it. I know it worked where Pillar got two at-bats, he played great defense, threw a man out, made a great play at the box, or at the wall. But I still did not like it. I would not have done that, ‘Roenicke told reporters at a video conference following Boston’s 2-1 loss to the Blue Jays.
‘It’s the same thing, so we do not score runes and I start doing things I would rather not do. That, I think, is up to everyone, ‘Roenicke continued. ‘I would never have done it in 162 games. I should never have said it, but I probably would not have done so in 162. And sure, if we had waved the flags well, I would not have done so either. ”
Pillar started with runners on first and second in the pinch-hit scenario, and ended Boston’s offensive threat in the fourth. He put together a few highlights-defensive plays that went a long way in the Red Sox remaining competitive in the game.
The right fielder knocked out Toronto’s Travis Shaw on home plate for what was then the game’s tie in the sixth inning. And, just one inning later, Pillar trained a Rowdy Tellez flyball in front of the right field wall and actually made an impressive grip before running into the barrier.
Here are some other notes from Saturday’s game:
– Pillar said his ‘football mentality’ helped him get into the seventh inning.
“Yes, it’s a tricky play, but it makes it even more difficult here, just with the lack of foul territory,” he told reporters. ‘… In a tight game you had to be ready to hit the wall. It’s just going back to my football mentality, catching the ball and you need to be ready for a little contact and try to help this team win some games. ”
– JD Martinez and Rafael Devers continued to fight on the plate – 0-for-15 combined during Boston’s last two games – but Roenicke explained how the Sox look to stay with them until they get out of their ‘funk’ .
‘Well, of course it’s great where they are in the lineup and what they mean to us. The thing is, you know, sometimes you can maybe give a man a day off to get them to battle, but we know we have to play those guys to get them out of their little funk they are. So, you keep putting them out and you hope it clicks and that we get it going, but we really need these guys, ‘said Roenicke.
“And we’ve been putting up a lot right now, so we need that crime to get through, as we know they can,” he added. ‘You look at those names in the lineup, and it’s a tough lineup, and yet, now, we just do not swing the ball.
– Roenicke was under the impression of starting back Zack Godley, who went four full innings and did not give up. The right-hander recorded three hits allowed with three strikeouts.
“He set up great,” Roenicke said. “(He) was efficient with his pitches, pitch did not rise high. I know he came back on a few counts, but he did a great job. Curveball was good, fastball, throws up some nice changes. Not much more can we ask than what he did. ”
– The Red Sox will return to Fenway Park on Saturday to host the Blue Jays in the third and final game of the series. The prize draw will begin at 1:35 pm ET.
Thumbnail via Bob DeChiara / USA TODAY Sports Images
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