 has established himself as Boston's best pitcher in an otherwise forgettable season.He struck out 10 over six innings of two-hit ball, walking two and allowing one unearned run to reach 191 1/3 innings pitched and 199 strikeouts for the season - both career highs, by far. He is scheduled to start again on Tuesday against Texas and then again against the Orioles on the final day of the season.''He's been a model of consistency,'' said Brandon Workman, who pitched into and out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth for his 15th save. ''He's close to 20 wins and he's close to 200 innings pitched. That's two good benchmarks for him to reach.'' Xander Bogaerts had a pair of RBI singles to drive in three runs, and Rafael Devers had two RBIs for Boston, which would be eliminated from the wild-card race with one more loss or Tampa Bay win.Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski, was supposed to get the day off ''to take it all in,'' but manager Bruce Bochy sent him up as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. He singled and scored as the Giants cut a four-run deficit to 5-3.He came up again in the ninth after Workman loaded the bases with nobody out, then struck out Brandon Crawford.''I was hoping,'' Bochy said. ''That would have been pretty nice if Yaz hit a gapper or something to win the game for us.'' Yastrzemski struck out and then, after Kevin Pillar walked to make it a one-run game, Workman fanned Evan Longoria.''It was really fun to have the best seat in the house for the game,'' Yastrzemski said. ''As great of an environment as it was, there was some stress and some stuff that I wasn't used to. I learned how to deal with it. ... So that just kind of gives me a little more confidence.'' Madison Bumgarner (9-9) lost in his first career start at Fenway Park, giving up five runs on nine hits and two walks in five innings while striking out seven. He allowed the first four Boston batters to reach safely and fell behind 2-1 after one inning, and 5-1 after two.That was the last of the scoring until Pillar hit a two-run double off Marcus Walden in the eighth to make it 5-3. Matt Barnes came in and walked Longoria, then gave up Buster Posey's high chopper that handcuffed Devers at third to load the bases.But Barnes struck out Stephen Vogt to end the inning.YAZThe younger Yastrzemski said the mementoes he will value most from the week are a pair of poster-sized photos of him and his grandfather walking in front of the Green Monster on Tuesday, and catching the ceremonial first pitch from the former Red Sox captain on Wednesday night.''I think those will be something that I cherish forever,'' said Mike Yastrzemski, who homered in Tuesday night's game. ''Just one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments.'' E-RODRodriguez is 9-0 in interleague starts in the past three seasons, including Game 4 of the 2018 World Series, and the Red Sox have a 15-0 record in those games.Rodriguez has gone four straight starts with at least six innings and no more than one run. He has made it at least five innings in 26 straight starts since the beginning of May. Boston is 24-8 in his starts this year, tying Gerrit Cole for the most wins behind any starting pitcher in the majors.NOTEDThe game was played with three umpires because Sean Barber, who was scheduled to work the plate, was a late scratch. No reason was given. ... Bumgarner reached the 200-inning mark for the seventh time in his career.TRAINER'S ROOMRed Sox: Reigning AL MVP Mookie Betts has been out a week for toe inflammation but could play at Tampa Bay this weekend, manager Alex Cora said. If he does, it would be at DH. ... J. D. Martinez missed his second straight game after leaving Tuesday night with groin soreness. He could also return for the Rays series.... LHP David Price will see a hand specialist.UP NEXTGiants: Start a three-game series at Atlanta on Friday night. RHP Tyler Beede (5-9) will start the opener against Atlanta's Mike Foltynewicz (7-5).Red Sox: Open a four-game series at Tampa Bay on Friday night. Rick Porcello (13-12) will face Charlie Morton (15-6).---More MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/-Sports)
Giants aim for sweep at BostonFLMHis 2,000th victory secured, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy won't have long before he can really take stock of his Hall of Fame career.Bochy earned the milestone win Wednesday, 11 days before he is expected to go through with his previously announced retirement. Until then, there is still business at hand, as the Giants (74-78) seek a three-game series sweep of the Red Sox in Boston on Thursday afternoon.Left-hander Madison Bumgarner (9-8, 3.73 ERA) gets the nod for San Francisco in the series finale. Southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez (17-6, 3.64) will take the mound for Boston.Bochy was understandably emotional after the Giants' 11-3 victory Wednesday. Chants of his name came down from the Fenway Park crowd, and Red Sox manager Alex Cora and his staff came out from their dugout during the celebration to acknowledge Bochy becoming the 11th skipper in major league history to reach 2,000 career wins."I've never had that happen before," Bochy said of the reception. "I had some emotions going through me during that. I'm just really overwhelmed by it, to be honest."That was something I won't forget." Cora also acknowledged the moment during his postgame press conference, the second-year manager expressing his appreciation for all Bochy has accomplished over his 25 seasons in the dugout."Two-thousand wins at this level, that's kind of unreal," Cora said. "I think everyone who gets to this job wishes they could last that long and be able to do what he has done throughout his career." Cora's Red Sox (79-72) have done a 180 from where they were last year, when they won the World Series in the skipper's debut campaign. With a loss Thursday, Boston would be officially eliminated from postseason contention.Still, this season has had its bright spots, none more impressive than the play of shortstop Xander Bogaerts and third baseman Rafael Devers. Devers hit a home run Wednesday to join Bogaerts in the 30-homer, 50-double club -- the two becoming the first teammates in major league history to reach those numbers in the same season."To be able to do that with him feels really special to me," Devers said through a translator. "We have to continue to play the game together and try to break as many records as possible. It's pretty special." Bumgarner is poised for a positive accomplishment of his own as he enters Thursday's outing just 4 1/3 innings away from reaching 200 in a year for the first time since 2016. The left-hander gave up two runs over seven innings in a no-decision against the Miami Marlins on Saturday.Bumgarner has faced the Red Sox twice in his career, going 0-1 with a 3.46 ERA.Rodriguez, meanwhile, needs to win his final three starts to reach 20 victories in a season for the first time in his career. He also has a shot at 200 innings, entering Thursday at 185 1/3.Rodriguez took a no-decision in his last start despite striking out 12 and limiting the Philadelphia Phillies to one run over 6 2/3 dominant frames on Saturday. He will face the Giants for the first time.Following the game, the Giants will travel to Atlanta for the start of a three-game set against the Braves on Friday. The Red Sox will travel to Tampa Bay to kick off a four-game series with the Rays on Friday.--Field Level Media
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