BOSTON The Red Sox' revolving door in right field turned to Ryan Sweeney last night and he responded with one of the best defensive plays any Boston outfielder in any position has made this season. <\/p>\n
The Tigers had runners at second and third with one out in the second inning when Jhonny Peralta hit a fly ball down the line, headed for that strange section of low fence that leads to Pesky's Pole. <\/p>\n
Sweeney raced over, made the catch just a few feet from the fence, then delivered a perfect throw to catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. He made the tag on Delmon Young to complete an inning-ending double play. <\/p>\n
He made the adjustment on the run was how manager Bobby Valentine saw the play, and was able to throw a strike to the plate. It was a really good defensive play. <\/p>\n
Infield help coming Dustin Pedroia was still on the active roster as of yesterday, but Valentine said, I suspect that before the weekend is over, there will be another infielder. <\/p>\n
The swelling in Pedroia's right thumb has gone down some, the manager said. The second baseman is still listed as day to day. <\/p>\n
Keeping relievers busy Valentine has made 153 pitching changes and the Boston bullpen has worked 164-1\/3 innings compared to 298-2\/3 by the starters. The manager was asked if he were concerned with overusing his relievers and burning out the bullpen. <\/p>\n
I wondered that myself, he said, and he had the information at his fingertips. <\/p>\n
The Sox entered yesterday fourth in the league in relief appearances and innings pitched so, Valentine added, We're basically on par. <\/p>\n
Compared to last year and Terry Francona, Valentine had made 152 pitching changes to 132 for Francona and used his bullpen for 162-1\/3 innings compared to 150-2\/3 for Francona. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Ryan Sweeney turns heads in right field for Red Sox<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" BOSTON The Red Sox' revolving door in right field turned to Ryan Sweeney last night and he responded with one of the best defensive plays any Boston outfielder in any position has made this season. Continue reading