WASHINGTON — On the day dominant closer Aroldis Chapman was named an All-Star for the eighth time in his career, the Red Sox used someone else to close out a tight win over the Nationals.
As he has done at different points this season, manager Alex Cora chose to deploy Chapman in the eighth inning against a certain part of Washington’s lineup and go elsewhere for the save. This time, it was newcomer Jordan Hicks — making his third appearance since coming over in the Rafael Devers blockbuster — who closed out a 6-4 win.
“We’re going to use him in high-leverage situations,” Cora said. “We’ve done it three times already. We trust the kid and he’s a good one.”
With the Red Sox leading, 5-3, after Washington closed the gap in a wild seventh inning from Justin Wilson and Greg Weissert, Cora chose to go to Chapman with the Nationals’ best hitter, James Wood, due up to lead off the eighth. Wood singled, but Chapman battled back to retire the side — and strike out two hitters — on just 13 pitches. By the time the baton was passed to Hicks, the Red Sox led by three runs thanks to an insurance homer by Ceddanne Rafaela.
Wood was just 1-for-10 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch in three games against Boston but has been one of baseball’s breakout stars this year, hitting .288 with 23 homers, 67 RBIs and a .940 OPS in 90 games. The left-handed Wood entered Sunday with a pristine .911 OPS against southpaw pitchers but the Red Sox still felt Chapman was a better matchup with Wood and first baseman Nathaniel Lowe due up in the eighth.
Hicks walked Brady House with one out, then after a wild pitch, allowed a two-out RBI single to Daylen Lile that made it a two-run game. CJ Abrams, representing the tying run, flied out to left to end the game.
It was just Hicks’ second save in the last two seasons. His other one came on August 19 of last season when the Giants beat the White Sox.
“I love the confidence,” Hicks said. “I know I’m capable so just seeing the belief in me, that’s all I could ask for, really.”
The Red Sox improved to 46-45 with their third straight win.
“It’s a great team sweep,” Hicks said. “Just to be able to come in after Aroldis and get the job done, that’s all I can ask for being on a new team.”
- ESPN draws ire of 2004 Red Sox champion for post about Bobby Jenks’ death
- Nationals fire GM, manager after getting swept by Red Sox
- Garrett Crochet explains why making All-Star Game as member of Red Sox is different, in a good way
- Three Red Sox named All-Stars — and they’re all standouts in first season with Boston
- How ‘reputation’ led to Red Sox slugger making All-Star team despite missing last six weeks
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
