Sale goes 3 scoreless; Sox magic number at 2

This browser does not support the video element.

BOSTON -- The Red Sox are setting themselves up for a clinch party in the house of their rivals.
After being the latest team to outlast Jacob deGrom and score off the Mets' bullpen, the Sox notched a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at Fenway Park that reduced the magic number to two for clinching the American League East title.
After a day off on Monday, Boston (103-47) opens a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday afternoon. The math has become quite simple: A win against the Yankees in that three-game series gives the division title to the Red Sox for the third straight year.

This browser does not support the video element.

"That would be awesome," said Red Sox ace Chris Sale. "I think we'd all like to do it here, obviously, but we weren't able to do that. Going to one of your biggest rivals in the division or in the game and being able to do it there, it will be fun. We'll enjoy it anywhere we're at."
The game started as a duel between two of the most dominant pitchers in the Majors. Sale's latest "opener" was just what the Red Sox were looking for. He went three shutout innings and allowed one hit while walking none and striking out one. Sale made 42 pitches in the outing, and then got up to his allotted pitch count by throwing more in the bullpen when the fourth inning started. It was a significant step forward after Sale labored through 26 pitches in the first inning last time out and didn't come back out for the second.
"I think at this point, the first one obviously didn't go as planned," said Sale. "This one was a little more smooth. We're doing three innings with an inning in the bullpen. We ramp up the first time, then the next time, and by the third one -- the first postseason start -- we'll be at 100 pitches, which is where you want to be."

This browser does not support the video element.

Knuckleballer Steven Wright got his first career save on a day the Sox rested Craig Kimbrel. It was the first time a knuckleballer saved a game for the Red Sox since Tim Wakefield on April 13, 2003.
"This is a guy who went through a lot with his health and obviously starting the season late and he's been able to contribute," said manager Alex Cora. "It was good to see him halfway through the season, be a starter and a reliever and now he's doing a good job for us. Like I've been saying, the key for us is to keep him healthy. We know we have X amount of games. We have to keep him healthy."
If Sale's second start back from the disabled list created excitement for Boston, it was temporarily offset by concern for star right fielder Mookie Betts, who had to leave the game in the top of the sixth inning with soreness in his left side. However, after the game Cora said Betts was fine and should be able to start Tuesday vs. the Yankees.

This browser does not support the video element.

The Red Sox had a significant accomplishment in the third when they strung together some hits against deGrom, which hardly ever happens. Rafael Devers and Christian Vázquez got it started with back-to-back singles that put runners at the corners with nobody out. Betts got a run home with a sacrifice fly to center.
Brock Holt stepped up next and put a jolt into the crowd with a two-run rocket over the wall in right to give the Red Sox a 3-0 lead. It was Holt's fifth homer of the season and just the 10th allowed by deGrom.

This browser does not support the video element.

"It was a 1-0 count right there, so I'm looking for something hard and fortunately I got it," said Holt. "You still have to square it up. Fortunately I was able to do that. He's one of the best in the game and he proved it today."
deGrom was nearly untouched the rest of the day, extending his record-setting streak to 27 starts of three earned runs or fewer.
"He's one of the best pitchers we've faced this year. Poise on the mound, presence, fastball, slider, changeup. Controlling the running game," said Cora. "We made up our mind before the game [that] as soon as somebody gets on we're going to put a hit-and-run on. You have to do it. I was asking if any team has three hits in a row against him and nobody answered that question throughout the day, so we made up our mind.

This browser does not support the video element.

"That's what we do, too, we try to put pressure on aces, because if you just sit back, relax and wait for the home run, it's not going to happen. Honestly, I know voting stuff and all that, but he should win the Cy Young in the National League. No doubt."
It was the first matchup of two starting pitchers with 100 innings and ERAs under 2.00 since Dwight Gooden and John Tudor on Sept. 11, 1985, at Shea Stadium.
Before the game, as they were both getting ready for their starts, Sale made a playful joke to deGrom, who homered against him in college.
"I asked him before the game why he wasn't in the lineup," said Sale. "I need my redemption against him. Yeah, he's the best in the league. This is one of the best lineups in the league. We stuck it out and got one across late."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Lin lays base: Once the Red Sox got deGrom out of there, scratching one run across to take the lead didn't feel so hard. Tzu-Wei Lin, who came into the game as a replacement for Betts, started it with a double off the Green Monster. Holt flied out to deep center and Lin scampered to third. Andrew Benintendi did his job, getting the go-ahead run home on a sacrifice fly to center. For Lin, who is hitting .208 in 48 at-bats, it was a satisfying moment to start the rally and score the run that put his team ahead. It was Lin's first career appearance in center field.
"Happy for him, too, that he got a double there and he was able to contribute. It was fun to see. It was good to see him smile," said Cora. "Yeah, we feel he can play center field."

This browser does not support the video element.

SOUND SMART
Sale's career-long scoreless streak is now at 32 innings. It is the longest streak in the Majors this season and best for the Red Sox since since Pedro Martinez in 2002.
HE SAID IT
"We've got a chance. We've got three shots there. We win one and we clinch. I think, for me, it's going to be special if it was New York or Baltimore or Tampa -- this is a special group and we have a chance to finish this off. We've been looking at the standings and talking about it and a lot of people have been talking about it for a month and a half. Now we've got it, we're right there. So we'll be ready for Tuesday, and if it happens Tuesday, it's going to be a fun night." -- Cora
UP NEXT
Right-hander Nathan Eovaldi takes the ball for the Red Sox when they go for the clinch in the opener of a three-game series at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday. Eovaldi, a former Yankee, is 10-5 with a 3.85 ERA in his career at the Stadium. The last time the rivals met, the Red Sox swept a four-game series at Fenway Park from Aug. 2-5. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET, live on Facebook Watch.

More from MLB.com

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com