Latest news with #Fitts
Boston Globe
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Cristopher Sánchez goes the distance to silence Red Sox, Phillies score again on catcher's interference
As for the first-inning sequence: Philadelphia already had three hits and a run as Brandon Marsh stepped to the plate with two outs, Bryce Harper on third base and Nick Castellanos on second. With righthander Richard Fitts pitching out of the stretch, seemingly ignoring Harper, Harper took off, attempting a straight steal of home. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Marsh bailed out of the batter's box, catcher Carlos Narváez stepped forward to receive a pitch from Fitts, and Harper slid in, seemingly beating Narváez's tag attempt. Advertisement That detail became moot, however, when plate umpire Edwin Jimenez ruled the play dead because of catcher's interference on Narváez. The official ruling also included a balk charged to Fitts, according to MLB, which cited Rule 6.01(g) in its explanation. The rule reads: 'If, with a runner on third base and trying to score by means of a squeeze play or a steal, the catcher or any other fielder steps on or in front of home base without possession of the ball, or touches the batter or his bat, the pitcher shall be charged with a balk, the batter shall be awarded first base on the interference and the ball is dead.' Advertisement Narváez never stepped on the plate. He did step in front of the plane of the plate — off to the first-base side — but did not step directly in front of it. Manager Alex Cora argued, to no avail, with umpires on the field before and after they checked with replay officials at MLB's headquarters in New York on the ruling. Roman Anthony finished 0 for 4 with four strikeouts, becoming the first player in Red Sox history to strike out four times in consecutive games. Monday was the first time in his career he had done so. Pitching for the first time in 15 days, Fitts looked rusty, allowing four runs and six hits in 3⅓ innings. He struck out four and walked none. Half of those runs came during the first-inning chaos. The other half came in the second, when Max Kepler and Kyle Schwarber hit home runs. Cora yanked Fitts after 65 pitches to 17 batters, fulfilling his pregame promise to be aggressive because he had several relievers who needed to pitch. Fitts hadn't appeared in a game at any level since July 7. The next day, he was optioned to Triple A Worcester to prepare a rotation spot for Hunter Dobbins, who was returning from the injured list. Four days after that, hours before he was supposed to start in the minors, Fitts returned to the majors (because Dobbins went back on the IL with a separate injury). But Fitts didn't get into a game before the All-Star break, then was the No. 5 starter coming out of the break. Thus, two weeks between appearances. Advertisement The Red Sox, facing a second high-end Phillies starter in as many nights, managed little against Sánchez. They didn't have a base runner until the fourth, when Rob Refsnyder smacked a leadoff home run. Seeing this caliber of pitching — and playing in this sort of environment — is good experience for the Sox' younger players, Cora said. Wrigley Field over the weekend was 'cool,' he said, but Citizens Bank Park this week has been 'intense.' 'Obviously, this is what we're shooting for,' Cora said before the game. 'Play meaningful games in October. That's going to be the atmosphere. Every pitch counts, every play counts. You have to be locked in.' Tim Healey can be reached at
Newsweek
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Red Sox's Alex Cora Makes Rotation Decision After Latest Injury News
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Boston Red Sox starting rotation has not lived up to expectations this season. Garrett Crochet has been great, and Lucas Giolito has looked good recently, but other than them, the rotation has struggled. Tanner Houck was an All-Star last season, but he has been unable to be a positive force this year. He had an 8.04 ERA before landing on the injured list, and now he has suffered an injury setback that will keep him on the injured list even longer. Houck was not performing well, but there was some hope that he could get back to pitching like he did last year after his rehab assignment. Between his injury setback and Hunter Dobbins season-ending ACL injury, Alex Cora revealed that Richard Fitts will stay in the rotation. BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 07: Richard Fitts #80 of the Boston Red Sox sits on the bench during the third inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park on July 07, 2025... BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - JULY 07: Richard Fitts #80 of the Boston Red Sox sits on the bench during the third inning of a game against the Colorado Rockies at Fenway Park on July 07, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. More"He's part of the rotation," Cora said of Fitts, per MassLive's Chris Cotillo. "He has done an outstanding job since last year, giving us a chance to win games. We expect the same thing out of him." Fitts made four starts last season and had a 1.74 ERA. This year, he has made eight starts and has a 4.28 ERA. He spent some time on the injured list with a right pectoral strain, but since his return he has made five starts, and has allowed two or fewer earned runs in four of them. The Red Sox are trying to make a postseason push, and Fitts will be a big part of their success moving forward. More MLB: Yankees' Aaron Boone Drops Laughable Response as Anthony Volpe Struggles Continue
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox starter keeps lineup card, plans to frame it for future ‘man cave'
BOSTON — Red Sox' Richard Fitts has pitched well as a big leaguer with a 3.31 ERA, but it took him until his 12th start to finally record a win. 'I've been waiting a while for it,' Fitts said. He got it Monday, tossing 5 ⅔ strong innings in a 9-3 victory over the Rockies at Fenway Park. Advertisement 'I've got the lineup card for tonight so I'm happy with that,' Fitts said, smiling. The Red Sox lost Fitts' first 10 starts spanning from his MLB debut Sept. 8 until his June 25 start at Anaheim. Boston finally pulled out a victory in his 11th start, a 5-3 win over Cincinnati last week. However, Fitts received a no-decision after pitching 3 innings before a rain delay. The game resumed the next day after being suspended. 'This is a big accomplishment for me but hopefully it's the first of many,' he said. Per the Red Sox, Fitts is one of 65 Red Sox pitchers all-time to not record a winning decision in his first 11 career appearances — and he's the only member of that group with at least nine of those 11 appearances being starts. Advertisement 'I think we're gonna get it framed up,' Fitts said about the lineup card. 'I've got my debut scorecard and I might take my jersey with me (from this one), too, and have some fun with it.' He hasn't hung up his debut lineup card yet. 'Whenever I have a man cave, I'll put it in there,' he said. The 25-year-old righty allowed three runs (two earned runs), five hits and one walk while striking out six in his 5 ⅔ innings. Fitts' 33 four-seam fastballs averaged 96.8 mph, up from an average of 95.6 mph this season. He topped out at 97.9 mph. 'Good velocity, mixing up the offspeed pitches,' manager Alex Cora said. Advertisement He recorded 14 swings and misses: eight on his 35 sliders, five with his four-seam fastball and one with his curveball. 'He's been good for us. Really good,' Cora said. 'Gives us a chance to win almost every time.' Fitts has had an up-and-down season. He made the Opening Day rotation and allowed six runs in 17 innings (3.18 ERA) over three starts. He then landed on the injured list April 13 with a right pectoral strain and missed 40 games. Boston rushed him back without a rehab assignment because it was in need of a starting pitcher after a doubleheader. He struggled in his second start back. The Red Sox demoted him to Triple-A Worcester on June 3, then recalled him June 22 when Hunter Dobbins landed on the IL with a right elbow strain. Advertisement 'It's felt like a roller coaster,' Fitts said. 'I feel like I'm on an uphill climb and then all of a sudden hit an obstacle. But I feel like I'm in a good spot right now. And all the work I've been putting in this year I think is building. And it's just gonna get better as we keep going.' More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Sox place RHP Hunter Dobbins (elbow) on IL, recall RHP Richard Fitts
SAN FRANCISCO —The Red Sox Sunday placed Hunter Dobbins on the Injured List and to fill his roster spot, activated fellow righthander Richard Fitts. Dobbins started the first game of the series against the Giants Friday night and was uncharacteristically wild, issuing five walks in four-plus innings. Advertisement After the game, he also remarked to reporters that he was puzzled to see radar readings on the scoreboard that has his fastball at 91 mph, several miles per hour slower than usual. Fitts was already on hand before the transaction for Dobbins was revealed. 'I was supposed to throw today in Worcester,' said Fitts Sunday morning in the Red Sox clubhouse. 'They told me there was a flight setup, so I hurried on it. I'm here to do whatever they need me to do. I want to pitch and help the team win. 'My body feels great. I'm ready to pitch. I'm not sure what the plan is. I wish I could give you more information, but I don't have any more information, either.' Advertisement Fitts, 25, has a 4.71 ERA in five starts (21 innings) in the majors this year. He made the Opening Day rotation and filled in admirably (3.18 ERA) in a three-start span before suffering a pectoral injury on April 12 in Chicago. His rehab was fast-tracked so he could fill a rotation opening in Milwaukee on May 27, and in his second start back, was tagged for six runs (five earned) in a single inning against the Angels. He was then sent to Triple-A to continue building up and has allowed seven earned runs on 15 hits in 12 innings. He went five shutout innings Tuesday. 'I was really focused on what I needed to work on,' said Fitts, 'and the build-up was a big part of that. I was re-defining my shapes of my pitches and it feels really good. I feel really confident and feel like I'm in a really good spot.' In Anaheim, beginning Monday, Walker Buehler and Garrett Crochet are lineup for the first two games. With Dobbins in line to pitch the final game of the series Wednesday, it's presumed that Fitts will slide into that spot. Tommy Cassell of the Worcester Telegram & Gazette first reported Fitts heading west. Advertisement More Red Sox coverage Read the original article on MassLive.
Boston Globe
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Red Sox' winning streak climbs to four with series-opening victory over Rockies in return to Fenway
Fitts worked into the sixth inning and his teammates provided ample support in a 9-3 victory before a crowd of 32,441 at Fenway Park. The 47-45 Sox have won four straight and six of their last seven. It took 12 starts over two seasons for Fitts to get his first career victory despite a career ERA of 3.31. Whether it was a lack of run support, poor defense or just bad luck, Fitts was 0-4 in his career. That was not an issue against the 21-70 Rockies. Advertisement The Sox had 14 hits, seven for extra bases. Roman Anthony was 3 for 4 with a two-run homer. Wilyer Abreu was 2 for 4 with an RBI double. Abraham Toro added a two-run double. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Ceddanne Rafaela homered for the third consecutive game. Romy Gonzalez was 2 for 5 with a homer and a triple. Jarren Duran, out of the lineup for only the third time this season, came off the bench and singled in a run. It was the first pinch-hit RBI of his career. The Sox appeared to take a 1-0 lead against Rockies starter Austin Gomber in the first inning when leadoff hitter Nate Eaton drove a fastball off the top of the Green Monster that popped straight up. That's usually a home run. But the ball actually struck the top rung of the superfluous ladder bolted to the wall and that's not a home run. Advertisement Eaton was then thrown out trying to steal third. Fitts did well to hold the Rockies to one run in the second inning. Thairo Estrada reached on a two-base throwing error by shortstop Trevor Story before Michael Toglia drew a walk. Ryan McMahon grounded out to the right side, advancing the runners. Brenton Doyle followed with an RBI single to center. Fitts was in trouble. But he struck out Yanquiel Fernández on three pitches, then retired Ryan Ritter on a first-pitch popup. The Sox rewarded Fitts by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning. Abreu doubled to left field to bring in a run with two outs. Toro followed with his two-run double to right. The lead grew to 5-1 in the fifth inning. Gonzalez belted a 375-foot triple off the wall in center field. Anthony got a high fastball and sent it 418 feet to center for his second home run. The Rockies scored two runs with two outs in the sixth inning. Fitts had retired 10 in a row before Mickey Moniak singled and went to third on a double by Estrada. Facing reliever Chris Murphy, Toglia grounded to third base. Eaton fielded the ball but was unable to tag Estrada as he approached the bag. Umpire Tom Hanahan initially ruled Estrada out of the base line but that was changed after the umpiring crew huddled. McMahon's RBI single then made it 5-3. Peter Abraham can be reached at
