Red Sox lineup: ‘Quarterback’ Trevor Story batting eighth, Richard Fitts makes first big league start
Trevor Story made his return to the Red Sox lineup on Saturday night. The shortstop looked good in the field and went 1-for-4 with an RBI in Boston’s 7-5 win over the White Sox from Fenway Park.
Story was involved right away, fielding a grounder from White Sox leadoff hitter Nicky Lopez. He fielded it cleanly and threw to first base for the game’s first out.
“It’s just kind of how it goes,” Story said. “It’s baseball. The ball is going to find you, and it was nice to get that first one out of the way. I felt like it was a busy night.”
The Red Sox lead the majors with 103 errors and have desperately missed Story’s stellar defense at shortstop.
He’s the quarterback,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said about Story to reporters following the game. “That’s what we envisioned this offseason.”
Story went down with a left shoulder dislocation on April 5 and missed the entire season rehabbing from surgery.
“We didn’t even think I would be here at this point, and it feels like forever ago that I was kind of here fielding questions about having a season-ending injury, so just so grateful for the opportunity to do it,” Story said. “It was great. The best fans in baseball, the best place to play, too. So just feeling that energy; I feel it when I’m in the dugout watching the boys over the season, but there’s nothing like being out there and playing, so I’ll never take that for granted.”
He will bat eighth and play shortstop again for the Red Sox.
Richard Fitts will start and make his major league debut.
Fitts has been strong all season for the WooSox, including posting a 2.38 ERA over his last six starts. In his last outing for Worcester on Sept. 2, the 24-year-old hurled six scoreless frames, allowing just two hits and no walks while striking out five. Overall this season, Fitts is 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 24 outings (23 starts) for the WooSox. Fitts has struck out 111 batters with 37 walks over 116 2/3 innings.
Tyler O’Neill is in the cleanup spot, batting behind Wilyer Abreu. The slugger belted two homers on Saturday; it was his sixth multi-homer game of the season.
Roster moves ahead of the game
Prior to the game, the Red Sox designated Bobby Dalbec for assignment. The move allowed Boston to add Fitts to the 40-man roster. To make room for Fitts on the expanded 28-man roster, the Red Sox optioned Chase Shugart to Triple-A Worcester.
Key stats and Red Sox lineup
Red Sox vs. Flexen: Triston Casas 0-1, Rafael Devers 4-7, Jarren Duran 2-3, Danny Jansen 2-6, Tyler O’Neill 2-4, Ceddanne Rafaela 0-2, Rob Refsnyder 0-3, Trevor Story 1-7, Enmanuel Valdez 0-2, Connor Wong 0-3, Masataka Yoshida 0-1
The White Sox have lost 19 consecutive series. They sit 49.5 games behind the first-place Guardians in the American League Central.
Red Sox (72-70) lineup vs. the White Sox (32-111):
Jarren Duran CF
Rafael Devers 3B
Wilyer Abreu RF
Tyler O’Neill LF
Masataka Yoshida DH
Connor Wong C
Triston Casas 1B
Trevor Story SS
Enmanuel Valdez 2B
SP: RHP Richard Fitts (9-5, 4.17 ERA with the WooSox)
The first pitch is at 1:35 p.m. and can be seen on NESN, FuboTV, or Sling, and it can be heard on WEEI 93.7 FM.
