Red Sox Journal: Chavis rebounding from recent slump

BALTIMORE — Michael Chavis appears to be steadily escaping the toughest stretch of his young major-league career.

He extended his hitting streak to six games in Sunday’s series finale with the Orioles at Camden Yards with two singles in five at-bats to raise his average to .260. Chavis also notched a pair of singles in Saturday’s 7-2 victory over Baltimore and homered to deep center in Friday’s 13-2 drubbing. Injuries suffered by [...]

BALTIMORE — Michael Chavis appears to be steadily escaping the toughest stretch of his young major-league career.

He extended his hitting streak to six games in Sunday’s series finale with the Orioles at Camden Yards with two singles in five at-bats to raise his average to .260. Chavis also notched a pair of singles in Saturday’s 7-2 victory over Baltimore and homered to deep center in Friday’s 13-2 drubbing. Injuries suffered by Steve Pearce (lower-back strain) and Mitch Moreland (right-quadriceps strain) have forced the Red Sox to stay the course with the rookie at first base.

“I’ll be honest — I was horrible lately,” Chavis said. “It’s been embarrassing, if I’m being honest. I’m kind of proud of how I’ve bounced back and handled the failure.”

Chavis suffered through a 20-game home-run drought that he ended in Thursday’s 7-6 rally past the Rangers. He struck out 35 times and managed just a .523 OPS during that span, as opposing pitchers began to attack him with fastballs up in the zone.

A player’s glove rarely slumps, and Chavis has shown significant growth while learning on the job. A third baseman for most of his career, Chavis shifted to the right side while Dustin Pedroia, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez all hit the injured list. Chavis' diving backhanded stab of a wicked one-hopper by the Orioles' Stevie Wilkerson in the ninth inning on Saturday was a reminder of those fast-twitch skills required to play on the corners.

“Throughout this stretch — the swings-and-misses and not hitting — he never stopped playing good defense at first and second,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said. “That says a lot about the player.”

Pearce has started a rehab assignment at Class-A Lowell, serving as the designated hitter on Friday and playing first base on Saturday. Moreland has yet to resume baseball activities.

Bulking up

The Yankees made a splash on the trade market late Saturday night.

New York acquired right-handed slugger Edwin Encarnacion from the Mariners for minor-league pitcher Juan Then and cash considerations. Encarnacion’s 21 home runs lead the American League, and he slots into a lineup that already features its fair share of power.

“Big bat,” Cora said. “They’re going to keep getting better. It didn’t surprise me. It’s not going to surprise me if they keep adding people.”

Cora demurred when asked if he thought Boston could use some outside help. The Yankees had dropped eight of their last 11 games prior to their 8-4 victory over the White Sox on Saturday. They’ve failed to bury the Red Sox in the A.L. East race, carrying a lead of just 5½ games into Sunday.

“I think people forget we were in second place last year around June,” Cora said. “I know we’re third place — I know where we’re at. We’ll be fine.”

Boston trailed the Yankees as late as June 26 last season, and the two clubs were tied on July 1. The Red Sox led by five games on Aug. 1 and extended the gap to 9½ games thanks to a four-game sweep at Fenway Park from Aug. 2-5.

Playing it safe

Andrew Benintendi (sore left quadriceps) was a late scratch from Sunday’s lineup.

“It just felt sore,” Cora said. “Nothing serious. As soon as I found out I made the decision.”

Nunez served as the designated hitter and Marco Hernandez played second base. J.D. Martinez started as planned in left field.

Five of Boston’s first six hitters were right-handed, as Cora stacked the deck up top against left-hander John Means. The right-left-right-left-right balance paid dividends on Saturday in the seventh inning when Richard Bleier was forced to face Martinez in a 3-2 game. Bleier was scheduled to go left-left with Rafael Devers in the next at-bat, but Martinez struck first with a solo home run to right-center field.

“He had to face (Benintendi) and he pitched to J.D. having Raffy behind,” Cora said. “It helped us there. It’s a lineup that’s balanced and you have to make decisions.”

The next step

Darwinzon Hernandez has been promoted.

The organization’s top pitching prospect has joined Triple-A Pawtucket. Hernandez made his first major-league start against the Rangers earlier in the week and has been moved up from Double-A Portland.

The PawSox have Monday off and begin a three-game series with Durham on Tuesday. Their starting pitchers against the Bulls have yet to be announced. Steven Wright (suspension) took the ball for the opening half of Sunday’s doubleheader at Indianapolis.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On Twitter: @BillKoch25