Red Sox bats trample Marlins bullpen in 14-6 loss

The Marlins (53-81) figuratively—and literally—beat up on accomplished left-hander David Price on Wednesday, tacked on insurance runs against long man Hector Velazquez...and then their bullpen got to work. The Red Sox erupted for 11 runs in the seventh inning to flip the game upside down against a parade of overmatched relievers. Final score: 14-6.

• Trevor Richards: 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K (92 pitches)
• David Price: 3.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K (47 pitches)

In perhaps his final game with the Fish (the waiver trade deadline approaches on Friday), designated hitter Derek Dietrich initiated the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning. He continues to add to a career high in that department.

The Red Sox countered with their own no-doubter off the bat of Eduardo Núñez.

Perhaps Trevor Richards was a bit distracted by this remarkable milestone that he reached a couple batters earlier?

Richards’ teammates picked him up in the third. J.T. Realmuto and Starlin Castro each drove in runs to make it 3-1. Rookie Austin Dean nearly followed suit, but Price took the brunt of his line drive off the left wrist and recovered for the putout to end the inning.

AL MVP candidate Mookie Betts emerged from his longest homerless drought of 2018, bringing the Sox back within a run.

Richards benefited from some good fortune earlier this season in the sense that long fly balls against him weren’t quite clearing the fence. He allowed only five home runs through his first 80 ¹⁄₃ innings, an unsustainably low rate. So it’s encouraging how even though that luck has started to even out (six home runs in last 21 innings), he’s getting enough outs against other batters to limit the damage.

Up 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Richards had retired 15 of 17 batters overall. However, he hit a wall trying to navigate through the order a third time. His command had deteriorated, with the exception of this one beautifully located fastball.

Don Mattingly was justified in lifting him for Drew Rucinski, who preserved the lead (for the time being).

Of course, all that anybody can talk about is the ruthless seventh-inning rally. Mattingly kept pushing different buttons to no avail. Hard-hit ball after hard-hit ball after hard-hit ball with zero strikeouts in between.

The Red Sox completed their sweep of the season series, 4-0. These teams won’t meet again in a meaningful game for several years.

After an off day, the Marlins resume interleague play by hosting the Blue Jays in Miami during Labor Day weekend. Aaron Sanchez and Dan Straily are the probable starters for Friday night’s series opener. First pitch approximately 7:10 p.m.

Courtesy of FanGraphs

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