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ATLANTA – The return of Wednesday 9-8 against the Braves revealed a lot about the fight of the Red Sox. And it might also have revealed a little something about the team manager.
"We were all at one point, like here," said Alex Cora. "It was fun … Honestly, it was the most fun of all the season, watching the last innings."
Cora joked with reporters Tuesday night that Wednesday's lineup would have upset the fantasy owners because Mookie Betts, Martinez, Xander Bogaerts and others were on the bench. He told everyone to "plug in" for Wednesday, jokingly saying it would be unusual because of the speed of execution imposed by 12:10 pm. Start right after a first pitch of 7:35.
This was the case with Jackie Bradley Jr. and Blake Swihart, and Brandon Phillips started with the club in second place. The attack was almost silent for seven innings, scoring a point on two hits before a six-point, eighth-round rally that tied the match at seven and will remain one of Boston's best this year.
"They could have gone to bed and said," You know what we're going home. It was a productive trip, "said Cora." People talk about tracks and ranking and all that. So, whatever, let's get home, let's take the day off and we'll have Houston on Friday. "But that made no sense, everyone was shooting at each other, I was pissed off for a lot of guys and no one was upset. "
Cora hit four players in this round to be precise, with Steve Pearce, Ian Kinsler, Bogaerts and Betts all of whom have a chance to hit despite a day off. The result was a success for a manager who does not tend to pinch the shot, even if Betts managed to end the round.
The Round of 16 rally seemed doomed to failure when Freddie Freeman hit a solo shot from Brandon Workman to allow Atlanta to take an 8-7 lead in the ninth. But Phillips, who at 37 had spent two months working with the miners in pursuit of his dream of returning to the highest level, hit a bump that gave the Sox a 9-8 lead.
Even for a 17-year-old major major who was four stars, it was a special moment. Especially considering the fact that he did it in front of his family and friends in Atlanta.
"(Considering) this trip here, this part, it's up there," Phillips said. "I do not want to say that it's number one because I hope nobody did what I did during the off season. But for me to get here , to do what I did today, it was incredible. "
Phillips has always been a longtime contributor to the Red Sox after signing a contract with a minor league on June 27th. The acquisition of Ian Kinsler at the transaction deadline has made it even more unlikely. But the veteran held on to Pawtucket and ended up being the author of one of the highlights of the Boston season Wednesday afternoon.
"When he hit, everyone's reaction was great," said Cora. "It did not look like a September game, where we were in the game and everything that happened, I am as speechless."
Phillips fits perfectly into the rest of his new Sox teammates, offering great success in key situations. A few days after receiving congratulatory messages from some Red Sox veterans, he was able to enjoy a moment of relaxation with them in person. Although Phillips' choice to rely heavily on his opponent was the celebration of the day, he appreciated the reaction of his new teammates.
"These boys are crazy," says Phillips. "I like them a lot." They're like guys, "welcome to the league!" They said all kinds of things like that. It was funny, dude. They m & # 39; really made me smile and it made me feel like I was here, I really thank those guys for that. "
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