McGuire’s security squeeze with bases loaded lifts Red Sox over Diamondbacks 2-1

PHOENIX — The Boston Red Sox pulled out a win on Saturday because of a little bit unorthodox baseball technique.

Manager Alex Cora loved it, even when he couldn’t take credit score for it.

Reese McGuire’s security squeeze with the bases loaded introduced residence Triston Casas, which proved to be the distinction because the Red Sox beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1.

“You’re going to have to ask Reese – ballplayers making plays,” Cora mentioned. “Sometimes they don’t feel right, they feel like that’s the only way they can drive them in, and they do.”

Boston has gained the primary two video games of the collection and can go for a three-game sweep on Sunday.

Kiké Hernández had an RBI single for the Red Sox within the fourth, and their small-ball technique later within the inning took nearly everybody without warning – together with Cora. Batting ninth within the lineup, McGuire got here to the plate with the bases loaded and one out, however as a substitute of making an attempt for a giant swing which may break the sport open, the catcher dropped a nifty sacrifice bunt down the first-base line.

PHOTOS: McGuire’s security squeeze with bases loaded lifts Red Sox over Diamondbacks 2-1

The solely play for Diamondbacks lefty Kyle Nelson was to get McGuire at first, with Casas scoring simply for a 2-1 lead.

McGuire mentioned after he fell into an 0-1 gap, he felt his greatest likelihood to get a run residence was bunting.

“I feel if I can get it down, it’s a tough play for the pitcher, especially being left-handed, going to his left and then having to throw across his body,” McGuire mentioned. “It was a good situation.”

Arizona jumped forward 1-0 within the first on Ketel Marte’s homer down the right-field line. It was his seventh of the season.

Both groups have been utilizing a beginning pitcher who simply got here off the injured listing. Diamondbacks right-hander Zach Davies (0-1) hadn’t appeared in a giant league sport since April 8 and seemed rusty, lasting simply 3 1/3 innings. He gave up two runs on 5 hits and two walks whereas hanging out three.

Boston’s Garrett Whitlock (2-2) had been out since April 22. The right-hander fared higher than his counterpart, permitting one run and two hits over 5 innings.

“Garrett was good – changing speeds,” Cora mentioned. “Some swing-and-miss stuff. His cutter was magnificent.”

The Red Sox bullpen was stellar behind Whitlock, throwing 4 scoreless innings between Kutter Crawford, Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, who earned his eleventh save this season and No. 402 of his profession.

The Diamondbacks had simply three hits – one after the primary inning. Red Sox pitchers didn’t enable a stroll, retiring 25 of their remaining 26 batters.

“Couldn’t get anything going offensively,” D-backs supervisor Torey Lovullo mentioned. “It looked like it was going to be a good day at the plate when Ketel hits a solo home run. You feel you’re going to bunch together some hits, some runs, and end up running out and winning the ballgame. But their starting pitcher went on lockdown.”

CRAWFORD’S BIG PLAY

Crawford was taken out of the sport after he made an important defensive play within the eighth.

D-backs catcher Gabriel Moreno hit a tough grounder again up the center that hit Crawford’s proper ankle and bounced towards the first-base line. Crawford hustled to the ball, selecting it up whereas avoiding Moreno, who was sprinting towards the bag.

Crawford managed to seize the ball and flipped it to Casas at first base for the out.

Crawford was shaken up after the play and after a couple of warmup pitches, Cora determined to usher in Martin. The Red Sox introduced Crawford left with a bruised proper ankle, however Cora mentioned postgame that the pitcher shouldn’t miss any further time.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers (calf) was out of the lineup for a second straight sport. … Whitlock was added to the roster from the injured listing, and LHP Brennan Bernardino was despatched to Triple-A.

Diamondbacks: Davies and RHP Drey Jameson have been added to the roster, whereas RHPs Brandon Pfaadt and Luis Frías have been demoted to Triple-A.

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