BOSTON — Not only has the air been cool at Fenway Park this season, it has been fresh.
New manager Alex Cora has a lot to do with that.
In his pregame press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Cora admitted that he made a mistake in not taking J.D. Martinez out of left field in favor of a defensive replacement in the top of the ninth on Sunday immediately after the Red Sox’ stunning comeback [...]
BOSTON — Not only has the air been cool at Fenway Park this season, it has been fresh.
New manager Alex Cora has a lot to do with that.
In his pregame press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Cora admitted that he made a mistake in not taking J.D. Martinez out of left field in favor of a defensive replacement in the top of the ninth on Sunday immediately after the Red Sox’ stunning comeback versus the Rays.
“Honestly,” Cora said, “I’m going to be honest with you — we scored six runs and we were so excited about it and the manager messed up.”
That type of candor has rarely been seen from Red Sox managers through the years. John Farrell tried to remove Addison Reed one pitch after a mound visit by Carl Willis at Yankee Stadium in August and could not because it is against the rules. Farrell admitted the blunder, but had no choice.
In April 2012, Bobby Valentine thought Twins pitcher Liam Hendricks was a southpaw, not a righty, and posted an inappropriate lineup before changing it pregame.
The classic uh-oh story about a managerial mistake dates to May 3, 1989 when Joe Morgan confused White Sox righty Shawn Hillegas with lefty Paul Kilgus. So, he put his right-handed hitting batting order on the lineup card, including catcher Rick Cerone, who had stayed out late the night before figuring he wasn’t going to be in the game.
At his postgame press meeting, Morgan was asked about Mike Greenwell’s 3-for-3 day and Morgan said, “That’s not the story of this game” and explained the pitching mixup.
“I said, [Darn] it, I’ll leave the lineup like it is,” Morgan continued. Boston won, 8-4, with Cerone driving in three runs.
While Cora didn’t volunteer his mistake, he was quick to own up to it.
“Because I did. Why lie?” Cora said. “I ask our guys to be genuine, transparent and responsible. So, if I’m asking them to be that way, then I’d better be that way or they know I’m not telling the truth.”
It may or may not be a coincidence, but Morgan and Cora have the best two records to begin their managerial careers in Red Sox history. Morgan went 12-0 after he was hired in 1988 and Cora was 8-1 in his first nine games this season.
Injury report
Drew Pomeranz, coming back a sore left forearm, needs another rehab start and will make it Friday at Double-A Portland. Tyler Thornburg also is progressing, as he has been for months.
Dustin Pedroia will report to Fort Myers next week to continue his rehab.
“He’s a work in progress,” Cora said, “but we’ll take it easy with him. … He’s moving well, better than in October.”
Pedroia is not ready to play in extended spring training games, but the better weather and controlled environment should help his progress.
Marco Hernandez (left shoulder surgery) was in the clubhouse before the game but his progress is slower than expected, according to Cora.
Never-quit attitude
Mookie Betts has been part of the Red Sox’ historically good start and weighed in on it before the game.
“We have what it takes to come back from any deficit. We just try not to get down and not to worry about it,” he said, adding, “Everyone’s giving us a chance to win. That’s all we can ask for as hitters. It’s just our job to put up some runs for them.
Tonight's probables
The series with the Yankees continues Wednesday night at 7:10 with David Price starting for the Red Sox and Masahiro Tanaka for New York. Price is 1-0 and has not allowed an earned run in two starts this season. Tanaka is 1-1, 2.92.
Good and bad
Boston played its first nine games of the season with nary an error, although Christian Vazquez was charged with a harmless passed ball. Since at least 1940, no major-league team has started a season without an error in its first 10 games.
“Overall we’ve been been a good defensive team,” Cora said, “and halfway through spring training I was very concerned about our defense.”
The opposite side of that coin has been Boston’s poor work on the bases, which has cost the Sox some runs but has not been a season-wrecker.
“Baserunning — we have to be better,” Cora said. “Better leads, better reads, making good decisions.”