“We’ve been swinging the bats well since we got home (from a nine-game road trip),” Boston manager Alex Cora said. “I know a lot of people were panicking on the road trip, but that’s part of 162 (games). The guys have done an amazing job preparing to go to battle and they’re executing now.”
The Nationals counter with Japanese rookie Shinnosuke Ogasawara on Sunday. The lefthander will make his major league debut for Washington after becoming the team’s first free agent to sign directly from Asia in January.
Here’s a preview.
RED SOX (45-45): Eaton 3B, Gonzalez 2B, Anthony RF, Refsnyder DH, Story SS, Duran LF, Toro 1B, Wong C, Rafaela CF
Pitching: LHP Garrett Crochet (8-4, 2.34 ERA)
NATIONALS (37-52): Call RF, Wood LF, Rosario 2B, Lowe 1B, DeJong SS, Bell DH, House 3B, Adams C, Young CF
Pitching: LHP Shinnosuke Ogasawara (N/A)
Time: 1:35 p.m.
TV, radio: NESN, WEEI-FM 93.7
Red Sox vs. Ogasawara: Has not faced any Boston batters
Nationals vs. Crochet: Riley Adams 1-1, Nathaniel Lowe 0-2, Amed Rosario 1-1, Keibert Ruiz 0-2, Jacob Young 1-3
Stat of the day: Red Sox outfielder Roman Anthony has had at least two hits in five of his last seven games
Notes: Crochet pitched five scoreless innings to earn the win in his only career appearance against the Nationals last year while with the Chicago White Sox. He gave up three hits, walked three and struck out six. … Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela left Saturday’s game after falling while rounding second base in the eighth inning, but Cora said he is OK. … After Sunday’s game, the Sox return home for a seven-game homestand prior to the All-Star break. The Rockies, who have won only 20 games this season and are in last place in the NL West, visit Fenway Park Monday-Wednesday, then the Rays are in Boston Thursday through Sunday, July 13. … The All-Star Game is Tuesday, July 15, in Atlanta. Starters were announced last week, and full rosters will be announced Sunday night at 5 p.m.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.
Matt Pepin can be reached at matt.pepin@globe.com.