Hernández helps Red Sox beat A's 3-2 in 10 with bat, glove

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kiké Hernández drove in the go-ahead run with a broken-bat single in the 10th inning and then made a tremendous defensive play to throw out a runner at home plate from center field as the Boston Red Sox held off the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Friday night for their eighth straight win.

All-Star slugger Rafael Devers had two hits and an RBI for Boston. Alex Verdugo added a run-scoring single.

“The way we play defense in the outfield is elite,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I know a lot of people had their doubts coming into the season, but these three guys are playing elite defense. One of the best outfields in the big leagues, if not the best. It wasn’t deep enough and (Hernandez) getting behind the ball was the key.”

Hernández was 0 for 3 before before hitting the first pitch from Lou Trivino (3-3) softly into right field to drive in Michael Chavis as pieces of his shattered bat flew around the infield.

Chavis made the final out of the ninth and began the 10th at second base.

The A’s had runners at the corners with no outs in the bottom of the 10th against Adam Ottavino when a charging Hernández made a running catch of Sean Murphy’s fly to shallow center and fired a strong throw to get Seth Brown sliding into home.

“I didn’t think he was going to send him,” Hernández said. “In my baseball clock, I came in a lot and wanted to make sure I made a good throw.”

Ottavino finished it off for his sixth save.

“Their guy made a great throw,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “A well-pitched game on both sides. It comes down to a couple of inches again.”

The Red Sox won after closer Matt Barnes (4-2) allowed Elvis Andrus’ tying home run leading off the ninth, his fourth blown save in 21 chances.

Jed Lowrie...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Hern-ndez-helps-Red-Sox-beat-A-s-3-2-in-10-with-16291362.php