Alex Verdugo installed as Red Sox leadoff hitter

BOSTON --- Ron Roenicke made a significant change in his Saturday lineup by sending a pair of morning text messages.

One went to new leadoff hitter Alex Verdugo, who was fresh off a virtuoso performance in the previous night’s 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays. Verdugo cracked a pair of solo home runs, robbed Travis Shaw of his own round-tripper with a leaping catch in deep right and gave the Red Sox a sorely needed lift.

The other went to Andrew Benintendi, who was [...]

BOSTON --- Ron Roenicke made a significant change in his Saturday lineup by sending a pair of morning text messages.

One went to new leadoff hitter Alex Verdugo, who was fresh off a virtuoso performance in the previous night’s 5-3 victory over the Blue Jays. Verdugo cracked a pair of solo home runs, robbed Travis Shaw of his own round-tripper with a leaping catch in deep right and gave the Red Sox a sorely needed lift.

The other went to Andrew Benintendi, who was dropped to seventh for the middle game of this series with Toronto. Benintendi slipped to 2-for-33 on the season thanks to his 0-for-4 finish on Friday, striking out three times.

Boston’s manager followed up with in-person conversations later that afternoon. Benintendi was among those at Fenway Park for early hitting on a gorgeous summer afternoon, joining Christian Vazquez and Jonathan Arauz. Verdugo carried what is becoming his trademark swagger through pregame stretch lines, bouncing off the green grass.

"I don’t like to just do things that are kind of drastic and then not say anything to anybody," Roenicke said. "I’d rather explain it."

Verdugo has gone deep three times in his last two games and appears to be finding his rhythm. He also sounded off postgame about the trade that brought him, Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to the Red Sox for Mookie Betts, David Price and $48 million. Verdugo refuted the notion he’s replacing Betts in right field and said he prefers to remain focused on performing to the best of his own abilities.

"I don’t think about Mookie," Verdugo said. "I think he’s a great player. He did a lot for Boston. He’s going to do a lot for the Dodgers. But I think about me being here and what I’m going to do and what I’m going to bring to this team."

Benintendi is just 6-for-48 leading off games dating to the start of 2019, when he was flipped atop the Boston order with Betts. The 1-2 combination that helped the Red Sox to 108 wins and a World Series title in 2018 failed to fire early the following season. Former Boston manager Alex Cora had no choice but to eventually reverse course, reinstalling Betts to the top spot.

"(Benintendi) was talking about how he can’t find his rhythm," Vazquez said. "I’ve been there. Every player who has played this game has been there.

"That’s why this game is so interesting. It’s up and down. One year you don’t feel it, one year you’re playing good. That’s the beauty of this game."

bkoch@providencejournal.com

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