Masataka Yoshida, proper, celebrates with Pink Sox teammate Justin Turner after hitting a grand slam in the course of the fifth inning AP Picture/Nam Y. Huh
By SARAH TROTTO, Related Press
CHICAGO (AP) — Masataka Yoshida hit a grand slam and a two-run triple, powering Kutter Crawford and the Boston Pink Sox to an 11-5 blowout over the Chicago Cubs on Sunday.
Rafael Devers and pinch-hitter Triston Casas additionally homered for the surging Pink Sox, who’ve gained seven of eight. Crawford allowed one hit in six shutout innings.
Yoshida launched the second grand slam of his rookie season in Boston’s five-run fifth in opposition to All-Star lefty Justin Steele. Yoshida linked for his eleventh homer on a 2-0 depend after the Pink Sox put collectively 4 straight hits, extending their result in 6-0. Rob Refsnyder had an RBI single.
“It’s type of like a online game,” Crawford mentioned of Yoshida. “He’s unbelievable. He’s an incredible hitter, an incredible teammate and serving to the workforce in numerous methods.”
Yoshida added a two-run triple within the seventh, and a single within the ninth off catcher Tucker Barnhart. Yoshida’s streak of eight straight multi-hit video games ended Saturday — it was the longest by a Pink Sox left-handed hitter since Ted Williams in 1940.
“Each time I can hit, I need to hit — so much,” Yoshida mentioned by a translator.
Crawford (4-4) struck out 9 and walked 4. He mentioned he was preventing mechanical points in the course of the first three innings.
“It undoubtedly helps when the offense provides you a lead like that,” Crawford mentioned. “It takes numerous weight off your shoulders. At that time, all my job to do is to attempt to throw strikes. Having the ability to grind by that starting half and nonetheless competing and never giving in in sure conditions may be very rewarding.”
Steele (9-3) allowed six runs and 10 hits over six innings after tossing a scoreless inning at Tuesday’s All-Star Recreation.
“I felt fairly good at this time,” Steele mentioned. “So far as all my stuff goes, I threw some good sinkers, some good sliders. I felt good with my four-seam. The pitch to Devers that he hit out, that was a fairly well-executed slider low and away. He simply put a very good swing on it.”
Devers hit his twenty third homer, a solo shot off Steele within the first. Devers additionally linked twice Friday in opposition to Chicago.
Casas hit a two-run shot off Adbert Alzolay within the eighth for his third homer in three video games. That gave Boston an 11-0 lead earlier than the Cubs scored 5 instances within the last two innings.
Devers doubled main off the fourth however was thrown out at residence by left fielder Ian Happ whereas making an attempt to attain from second on a single.
ROSTER MOVES
Pink Sox: RHP Jake Faria’s contract was chosen from Triple-A Worcester and RHP Tayler Scott (0-0, 7.45 ERA) was designated for task. Faria was 3-2 with a 6.47 ERA in 9 begins and 10 aid appearances for Worcester. The Cubs scored three runs off Faria within the eighth on 4 straight walks, an infield single and a sacrifice fly. Faria gave up two extra runs within the ninth.
Cubs: C P.J. Higgins was reacquired from Arizona for money. Chicago drafted him within the twelfth spherical in 2015. Higgins performed 83 video games with the Cubs the final two seasons.
DRAFT UPDATE
The Cubs introduced they agreed to phrases with their first-round draft decide, infielder Matt Shaw from the College of Maryland, and 6 different gamers.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pink Sox: LHP Richard Bleier (left shoulder irritation) might return this week, supervisor Alex Cora mentioned. Bleier is rehabbing at Triple-A. … INF Pablo Reyes (stomach pressure) is rehabbing with Double-A Portland and wishes extra at-bats, Cora mentioned. … RHP John Schreiber (teres main pressure), on a rehab task at Triple-A, must pitch on back-to-back days, Cora mentioned. Schreiber might return for Boston’s sequence in opposition to the Mets or extra possible the sequence in opposition to Atlanta subsequent week.
Cubs: SS Dansby Swanson (bruised left heel) was eligible to be activated Sunday however remained on the injured record. He continued baseball actions.
UP NEXT
Pink Sox: Boston had but to announce its starter for Monday’s sequence opener at Oakland. Cora mentioned he hoped to keep away from utilizing RHP Nick Pivetta or LHP Chris Murphy on Sunday so one might pitch Monday and the opposite Tuesday. The A’s will begin RHP Paul Blackburn (1-1, 4.86 ERA).
Cubs: LHP Drew Smyly (7-6, 4.31) is scheduled to begin Monday in opposition to Washington LHP MacKenzie Gore (4-7, 4.42).
Join Pink Sox updates
Get breaking information and evaluation delivered to your inbox throughout baseball season.
