Red Sox’s Alex Cora Proud Of Bench Coach’s Substitution Job Vs. Mets

BOSTON — Since the Red Sox were without manager Alex Cora for Monday night’s series-opener against the Mets at Fenway Park, bench coach Ramón Vázquez stood next in line as the team’s substitute.

Vázquez, who’s managed Caguas in the Puerto Rican Winter League, filled in as Boston’s acting manager seamlessly. Cora was in attendance for his daughter Camila’s graduation ceremony from Boston College, but still caught glimpses throughout the Red Sox’s 3-1 victory over the Mets, which went recorded as Vázquez’s first as a big league manager — and earned him a well-deserved clubhouse beer shower.

“The guys played well. Ramón did an outstanding job,” Cora said before Tuesday night’s game. “He has it in him. It’s just a matter of time. I truly believe that, and for him to have that experience, it’s great.”

Boston hired Vázquez back in 2018, during Cora’s first season at the helm. The two had been traded for each other during their playing days in 2005 — Vázquez went to Cleveland and Cora joined the Red Sox — and since then, Vázquez has worked himself up the ranks from quality control coach/interpreter to first base coach to bench coach. In Cora’s eyes, it shouldn’t be too long until Vázquez finds himself a full-time managerial gig.

Cora watched alongside his mother, Iris, a longtime baseball fan, and used Monday night’s game as an opportunity to critique Vázquez from afar.

“I was able to second-guess Ramón,” Cora said jokingly.

For Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, it wasn’t the first time playing under Vázquez’s leadership. The two spent time together in the Puerto Rican Winter League, and Duran enjoyed playing for the 48-year-old once again.

“It’s always fun to have a little moment like that,” Duran told reporters, per NESN. “We’re fighting, we’re grinding right now, so to be able to have something like that, get our mind off everything is pretty awesome.”

Cora was especially impressed by the relief appearance logged by left-hander Justin Wilson. The 37-year-old entered a dicey situation with runners on the corners in the fifth inning, facing four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor. But Wilson managed to strike out Lindor, get the Red Sox out of the jam, and take home his second win of the season.

“We just have to make sure he’s fresh,” Cora said. “The ability to get lefties out and righties, that’s the most important thing. That’s what we recognized early on. And credit to him because he wanted to come here. He was the first one we signed, right? His fastball plays. Yesterday, that sequence to Francisco was a good one. Just a battle, right? Slider after slider after slider after slider, and then he got him out and he’s been solid for us.”

The Red Sox will aim to make it two in a row against the Mets on Tuesday night.