Purple Sox
Adam Duvall, Tristan Casas, and Yu Chang additionally hit house runs for the Purple Sox on Friday.
CHICAGO (AP) — Rafael Devers hit two lengthy solo homers off Kyle Hendricks, Justin Turner had a two-run shot and three RBIs in his first begin at second base in practically eight years, and the Boston Purple Sox powered previous the Chicago Cubs 8-3 on Friday for his or her sixth straight win.
Adam Duvall, Triston Casas and Yu Chang additionally went deep to assist Boston win for the ninth time in 10 and climb six video games over .500 (49-43) on a heat night time at Wrigley Subject with the ball carrying nicely.
“Clearly, immediately (the park) performed fairly small right here,” Boston supervisor Alex Cora stated. “We hit the ball within the air and we obtained rewarded.”
Devers used the All-Star break to return to his house within the Dominican Republic. So did Friday’s starter, Brayan Bello, who threw between outings on the Purple Sox improvement academy there.
On a flight to Chicago, Devers kidded Bello he would hit two homers on Friday.
“We have been simply on the airplane and having enjoyable, laughing,” Devers stated by means of a translator. “I jokingly stated I’d hit two homers immediately, but it surely ended up taking place.”
Devers, an All-Star the earlier two seasons, stated he used the day off to “chill.” The slugger returned refreshed and boosted his season house run complete to 22.
Bello tossed six innings for his fourth win in 5 begins, permitting two runs on six hits whereas placing out 5 and strolling none. Bello (7-5) has reached six or extra innings in seven straight outings.
Cody Bellinger hit a pair of solo drives. Christopher Morel had three hits and Mike Tauchman doubled in a run.
The Cubs loaded the bases in opposition to Tayler Scott within the ninth. Kenley Jansen fanned Tauchman for the ultimate out and his twentieth save with thunderstorms shifting into the world.
Hendricks (3-4) allowed 5 runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings, placing out 5 and strolling none. The proper-hander yielded 4 homers, all solo drives, for the primary time since Could 20, 2022.
“That man (Devers) can hit, man. I’ll inform you that,” Hendricks stated. “Simply places actually good swings on balls, man. Clearly, probably the greatest gamers within the league for a purpose.”
Devers and Duvall crushed changeups from Hendricks within the second inning to place Boston forward 2-0.
Devers launched a 417-foot drive to right-center. Duvall turned on a low pitch and despatched it down the left-field line out to Waveland Avenue.
Turner made it 3-0 within the third with a sacrifice fly to deep proper. Devers went deeper two pitches later, sending a blast to the bottom of the right-field video board.
Casas reached the basket in left within the fourth to make it 5-1. Bellinger’s first homer, within the backside half, narrowed it to 4-2. He added his second of the sport and tenth of the season within the sixth.
Turner’s towering drive to left-center within the seventh, his 14th homer, made it 7-3. Chang topped it off within the ninth.
SWEET 16
Devers’ fourth multihomer sport this season was the sixteenth of his profession.
Bellinger’s multihomer sport was his first since Aug. 7, 2022, with the Dodgers. The fleet outfielder additionally has 16 in his profession.
SECOND CHANCE
Turner began at second for the primary time since Sept. 6, 2015, when he was with the Dodgers, then moved to first within the eighth. The 38-year-old Turner performed second 4 instances beforehand this season following an in-game place change or as a late alternative.
BUYERS? SELLERS?
Jed Hoyer, the Cubs’ president of baseball operations, stated his group wanted to “make up floor on first place” within the NL Central “and make up floor on .500” earlier than figuring out if Chicago would turn into a purchaser or vendor heading into the Aug. 1 commerce deadline.
Hoyer admitted he was pissed off with the Cubs’ efficiency within the first half. “I feel from a element standpoint, from a run-differential standpoint, we have been a greater group than our report,” he stated.
UP NEXT
Boston LHP James Paxton (5-1, 2.73) faces Chicago RHP Marcus Stroman (9-6, 2.96) on Saturday afternoon.
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