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Red Sox’ Alex Cora explains using Masataka Yoshida as pinch hitter for Caleb Durbin
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- Red Sox’ Alex Cora explains using Masataka Yoshida as pinch hitter for Caleb Durbin
HOUSTON — Manager Alex Cora used Masataka Yoshida as a pinch hitter for slumping third baseman Caleb Durbin in the Red Sox’ 8-1 loss to the Astros on Monday .
Cora said the decision had to do more with making sure he got Yoshida an at-bat and not Durbin’s performance at the plate so far. Durbin has gone 0 for 14 with one walk and three strikeouts in four games.
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The Red Sox dropped to 1-3, recording just four hits and striking out 12 times.
“In that situation, I’m not gonna go to the hotel with Masa on the bench, right?” Cora said. “I mean, we’re gonna use the roster, maximize it. And it was a big situation for us and I felt the matchup was really good for us.”
Yoshida hit for Durbin with two runners in scoring position and two outs in the seventh inning. The left-handed hitter worked the count full against Astros right-handed starter Lance McCullers Jr. before striking out on a foul tip.
“I mean, Masa rakes, so excited for him to get the opportunity there,” Durbin said. “You always want those at-bats but I definitely understand it.”
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Boston acquired the 26-year-old Durbin in a six-player trade with the Brewers on Feb. 9 . In his first at-bat Monday, Durbin grounded out to shortstop to end the second inning. In his second at-bat, he grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the fifth inning.
“Today was better,” Cora said. “He swung at strikes. He didn’t chase like in Cincinnati . So you’ve just gotta keep working. Talked to him a little bit. He’s working hard. That’s the reality of it. He hasn’t had results. But today I think he was able to slow it down.”
Durbin agreed his at-bats were better Monday.
“Command of the zone much better,” Durbin said. “Just a few tweaks with the swing, but seeing the ball good. Definitely not lost up there by any means. It’s just have to make the adjustment and figure it out.”
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