Red Sox Veteran Gives Credit To ‘Unsung Heroes’

Boston Red Sox starter Kyle Harrison only managed to throw three innings against the Detroit Tigers on Friday. He struck out six hitters, but his command was an issue. He walked three hitters and surrendered three hits before exiting the game in the fourth inning with the bases loaded.

Early in the season, Harrison might have been allowed to clean up his own mess. In September, with the postseason on the line, Red Sox manager Alex Cora emerged from the dugout and pointed to his bullpen with 18 outs remaining.

Justin Slaten entered the game with runners on second and third with one out in the fourth. He faced three hitters and recorded two outs without allowing the runners to advance. Steven Matz took over to face Riley Greene and needed one pitch to end the inning and keep the deficit at three.

After Matz, Greg Weissert, Zack Kelly, Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman combined for 4 1/3 scoreless innings. The Red Sox tied the game in the eighth inning and walked off with a 4-3 victory in the bottom of the ninth.

The Houston Astros lost on Friday, meaning the Red Sox would have clinched a postseason spot even with a loss. Still, putting together lockdown outings is a positive sign heading to the playoffs.

“The bullpen has been unbelievable for us,” Lucas Giolito said. “The back end with [Chapman] and [Whitlock], and then all the other guys in the middle relief. I’ve always said they’re the unsung heroes of baseball — those relief guys — they do not get enough credit. They’ve bailed me out of some huge situations, they’ve bailed the rest of the starters out of some big situations.”

Alex Cora is usually aggressive with his bullpen in the postseason. Garrett Crochet might have a long leash, but the rest of the staff will be quick to be hooked. Middle relief pitching will be a key for the Red Sox to make a deep run in October.