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TRAVIS SHAW |
"THE FUTURE AIN'T
WHAT IT USED TO BE"
John Farrell goes down
but the Sox not out
August 14, 2015 ... Red
Sox Manager John Farrell found out he was diagnosed with Stage 1
lymphoma. The sudden news meant sudden adjustments. The Red Sox would
be without their manager for the rest of the season, as Farrell
started a nine-week treatment process, bench coach Torey Lovullo
would take on Farrell's role.
Once the
news spread through the clubhouse, players were stunned and somber, the news was
fresh, but the game had to be played. The Sox wouldn't have their leader in the
dugout. But even as he was beginning his own battle off the field, Farrell left
the team with a message to continue theirs on it.
The Red Sox
took the field and put together their most dominant offensive performance since
2013. They pounded out a season-high 21 hits and a season-high 15 runs in a 15-1
win over the Seattle Mariners and when it was over, the dugout was a well of
emotion.
Nine hitters
had multiple hits. Brock Holt (2 for 6), Travis Shaw (3 for 5), and Pablo
Sandoval (3 for 5) each drove in three runs. Shaw belted a pair of homers and
Rusney Castillo (2 for 3) added another. Somewhere, Xander Bogaerts hoped,
Farrell had his eye on his television.
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JOHN FARRELL |
While the
Sox offense churned out runs, starter Joe Kelly kept the Mariners in check.
Stringing quality starts together has been a struggle for Kelly this season, but
after holding the Tigers to two runs over 5 1/3 innings last Friday, he took
advantage of a Mariners lineup that hasn't hit right-handers well this season to
win his third consecutive start.
His six
innings of work were the deepest he's pitched into a game since June 12. He left
a fastball over the plate in the first inning that Kyle Seager smacked into the
right-center bleachers for a a solo home run. It was the only run Kelly (5-6)
allowed. Between four hits and two walks, he allowed just six base runners. He
kept hitters chasing his secondary pitches, going to his slider, changeup, and
curveball for his six strikeouts. He retired 16 of the last 19 batters he faced,
seemingly getting stronger as the night went on.
The game
could only do so much to take the team's mind off Farrell. |
