BOSTON — Koji Uehara is taking back his old job. For now, anyway.
The Red Sox relief pitcher picked up his second save in as many nights Saturday, working a scoreless ninth inning to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park.
Uehara was forced into the closing role after it was revealed All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel will miss 3-6 weeks with a knee injury he suffered shagging balls during batting practice. The Red Sox added bullpen help early Saturday morning by acquiring closer Brad Ziegler from the Arizona Diamondbacks, but after Saturday’s game, manager John Farrell insisted Uehara will be the team’s main ninth-inning option.
“Koji’s our closer,” Farrell said. “And then on days when he’s not going to be available, we’ve got Brad to turn to. … I think it’s important to maintain some consistency late in the game, and that’s where Koji’s going to serve as our closer.”
Uehara has had a rocky season as Boston’s setup man to date. He has allowed multiple runs in six outings already this year, has a 4.81 ERA and entered Saturday having allowed a run in back-to-back appearances. Ziegler, meanwhile, has notched 18 saves in 20 chances this season and owns a 2.82 ERA.
Yet the 41-year-old Uehara has more experience in a Red Sox uniform, and he’ll have the chance to prove his worth once again until Kimbrel returns from injury.
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Let’s hit a few other notes from Red Sox-Rays:
— Rick Porcello picked up the win with another strong outing at home. The Red Sox right-hander was lifted after the seventh inning despite throwing just 94 pitches, and Farrell intimated Porcello might be dealing with a few minor ailments.
“Rick, in his own right, is dealing with some things,” Farrell said. “And I felt like the seven innings of work (Saturday), fourth time through the lineup — (we’re) not looking to press that too hard.”
Porcello said he felt fine after the game.
— Xander Bogaerts provided the offensive spark of the day by launching a two-run home run over the Green Monster that traveled an estimated 403 feet.
It was the Red Sox shortstop’s 10th homer of the season, and his 10 homers and 55 RBIs are the most by a Boston shortstop before the All-Star break since Nomar Garciaparra’s 13 homers and 60 RBIs in 2003.
— The Red Sox’s fifth win in six games helped them pull even with the Toronto Blue Jays for second place in the American League East. The Sox still are two games behind the Baltimore Orioles, who squeaked past the Los Angeles Angels 3-2 on Saturday.
— Outfielder Brock Holt (ankle) and reliever Junichi Tazawa (shoulder) both aren’t expected to return before the All-Star break, but the outlook looks good for Holt, who sprained his left ankle Friday while sliding into second base.
“He came in (Saturday) better than we anticipated based on what took place on the field,” Farrell said of Holt. “He’s walking around a little bit more normally. I would doubt he’s going to be available in these two games before the break, but not to the point where we need to put him on the disabled list.”
— The Red Sox placed right-hander Sean O’Sullivan on the 15-day disabled list with left knee tendinitis to make room for Ziegler on the active roster.
O’Sullivan, who picked up the win Friday night, said Saturday he has been dealing with knee issues since last season.
— The Red Sox made a few other roster moves accompanying Kimbrel’s trip to the disabled list. They added newly-acquired utility man Michael Martinez to the active roster, recalled reliever Noe Ramirez from Triple-A Pawtucket and sent infielder Marco Hernandez down to Triple-A.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
