Since the All-Star break, nothing has come easy for the Red Sox, not even a landslide victory. But now they have won three of four games and are just three games behind the struggling Twins in the battle for the last wild-card spot in the American League with 18 games remaining.
“We’re right there, still right there,” Cora said. “I don’t know how.”
The answer on Monday was a 15-hit attack in which Rob Refsnyder hit 4-for-4, including a double, two home runs and a career-high five RBIs.
After a lackluster 7-2 loss to the woeful White Sox on Sunday, Refsnyder was vocal in the hitters’ pregame meeting on Monday, imploring his teammates to have a better attitude because the season was on the line.
“I want everyone to focus on having good at-bats and walking the line,” Refsnyder said.
Refsnyder was part of the problem, as he had a .177 batting average with a .487 slugging average over his last 24 games. For a team that has struggled with left-handed pitchers all season, having one of its best right-handed hitters in a deep slump was a hindrance.
Refsnyder has been trying out a number of mechanical adjustments over the last week. “Many hours behind the scenes,” he said.
In addition to the major league hitting coaches, minor league hitting coordinator Dillon Lawson also offered some useful opinions.
Normally, it is Refsnyder who gives advice to Jarren Duran. But this time, it was Duran who told Refsnyder what he saw.
From 2022 they will play together again for Triple A Worcester.
“He saw my swing being really bad and really good,” Refsnyder said. “He took me aside and talked to me about what he saw, gave me some tips and things like that.”
“I just try to keep a positive attitude.”
On Monday, it worked, as every one of Refsnyder’s batting appearances was productive.
The Sox pulled away with eight runs in the final three innings. Refsnyder had a two-run single with two outs in the sixth inning and his second home run in the eighth inning.
“Hopefully we can build on that tonight and gain some confidence,” he said.
One game is not momentum. The Orioles will start with Albert Suárez on Tuesday. The right-hander threw six scoreless innings against the Sox at Camden Yards on August 18.
The Sox then begin a seven-game away tour on Thursday, including four in New York against the Yankees and three in Tampa Bay.
The Sox, Tigers and Mariners are all three games behind the Twins. With four teams battling for a spot, the possibilities seem endless and not worth thinking about. Every game is important now.
Cora will manipulate the lineup as much as possible to create better matchups, hoping not to hurt anyone’s ego in the process.
He may also need to push his starters a bit to minimize the number of outs he needs from the bullpen. Every advantage is needed.
Rafael Devers has hit 6 of 15 in his last four games. Sure, five of those hits are singles and he has an RBI in his last 10 games. But little things lead to big things one day.
“Maybe we can get something going,” Refsnyder said. “This team has done it before.”
Peter Abraham can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @PeteAbe.
