Araúz recalled, hits 3-run homer to lift BoSox past Indians

CLEVELAND (AP) — Jonathan Araúz arrived late to the ballpark — and right on time for the Red Sox.

Araúz hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning after being recalled before the game due to Boston's COVID-19 case, sending the Red Sox to a 4-3 win on Friday night over the Cleveland Indians.

After twice missing bunt attempts, Araúz drove a 3-2 pitch from James Karinchak (7-4) over the wall in right to rally the Red Sox, who began the series by placing infielders Kiké Hernández and Christian Arroyo on the COVID-19 injured list.

Araúz was asleep in his hotel room in Buffalo with Triple-A Worcester when he got the call that the Red Sox needed him. He bagged his bags, got on a team bus with teammate Yairo Muñoz and headed toward Cleveland.

“Everything happened really quick,” he said through a translator.

A few hours later, he was hero for the Red Sox.

“It was such a tough day and obviously grinding and everything that went on, it was huge,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “I don't want to say we needed this one, but it felt awesome to pull this out.”

The Red Sox were down 3-1 and had managed only one hit through seven innings off starter Logan Allen and reliever Alex Young before storming back in the eighth against Karinchak.

The right-hander walked Christian Vázquez and gave up a single to Jarren Duran before Araúz failed at two bunt tries. He wasn't going to miss another pitch.

“I was upset with myself,” he said. “I knew I had to move the runners over somehow. I had to do something for missing the bunt. Thank God I was able to put a good swing on that pitch and hit the ball out.”

It was Araúz's first homer this season, the second of his career and just what the Red Sox needed.

“Very gratifying,” Cora said.

José Ramírez...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Ara-z-recalled-hits-3-run-homer-to-lift-BoSox-16417807.php