Through seven innings of the Boston Red Sox's 7-5 victory over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park, Boston's arm looked great with Tanner Houch pitching six scoreless and Brennan Bernardino setting Detroit down in order in the seventh.
However, when manager Alex Cora sent Bernardino back out for the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead, he melted down, allowing two of the first three batters to reach base via a walk and a single before Kerry Carpenter hit a three-run home run to make it 4-3.
The Red Sox turned to Justin Slaten, who was just activated from the injured list earlier in the week, to record the final two outs, which he did on just five pitches.
Slaten has been quite the find for Boston this year, posting a 3.25 ERA and a 0.992 WHIP in 44 1/3 innings since being acquired in a Rule 5 draft trade last December.
“He’s huge,” Cora said of Slaten (via. MassLive). “We talk about getting healthy. And having Chris (Martin) and Slaten back there in the bullpen, it helps us. It just happened today we needed to go to Slaten in that situation. We’ve got to stop the rally right there. And he did an amazing job. Chris threw the ball well (in the 10th). So we’re in a better spot bullpen-wise now than where we were 15 days ago.”
Martin has been just as good for the club. Last year, he posted a 1.05 ERA and a 1.0132 WHIP with 46 strikeouts over 51 1/3 innings. This year, he hasn't been quite as good with a 2.72 ERA, 1.046 WHIP and 41 strikeouts over 36 1/3 innings. However, since returning from the injured list earlier this month, he's been much improved (allowing just one earned run on 11 hits in 11 outings).
After Kenley Jansen blew the save in the ninth, Cora turned to Martin in extra innings, and he put the Tigers down 1-2-3 to earn the save.
Following the win, Martin spoke about Slaten's rookie campaign and just how impressive he's been.
“He’s been OK,” Martin joked with Slaten nearby. “No, he’s unbelievable, man. Yeah, I think just going out there and attacking the zone, that’s everyone’s goal in the bullpen. Obviously, you’re going to have good ones, you’re going to have bad ones. You’ve just gotta roll with the punches and he’s doing a good job of that.”
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