Abreu's 3-hit game cements series sweep but Casas' injury looms large for Sox

Even without several of their most powerful hitters, the Sox found ways to end their weekend series in Pittsburgh on a high note. After giving Boston a first-inning lead in each of the first two games of the series, Wilyer Abreu continued to make an impact with a three-hit, two-RBI, one-run performance. His RBI single in the top of the third got the Red Sox on the board. He has at least one hit and one RBI in four consecutive games and a 10-game on-base streak.

“We’ve been talking about him for a while,” Alex Cora told reporters. “Hit the ball hard, he’s a good defender.”

For the second consecutive game, the defense made it through without an error. Abreu, who’s primarily played right field this season, spent the weekend in left because of PNC Park’s dimensions, and his and Bobby Dalbec’s strong defensive showings earned praise from their manager.

Rob Refsnyder was activated on Thursday and the utility man has been a much-needed veteran presence and all-around improvement. All four of his hits in the series were for extra-bases – a homer Friday night and a double in each game – and he covered right-field with ease.

“Having Ref back meant a lot,” Cora said.

Making a spot start, Josh Winckowski found himself in immediate trouble when Connor Joe belted a 410-foot double to lead off the bottom of the first. It would’ve been a home run in 28 of 30 ballparks, but it may as well have been one anyway, as Joe promptly scored on Ke’Bryan Hayes’ sacrifice fly.

It turned out to be the Pirates’ only run of the contest. Winckowski pitched a 1-2-3 second, worked around a one-out single in the third, and got the first out of the fourth before Cam Booser took over.

The team has been carried by a starting rotation whose collective 1.73 ERA stands alone atop the MLB rankings and entered the day with the second-best WHIP (1.00), opponent average (.200), and strikeouts (120) in the Majors. Winckowski will likely remain in the rotation as Pivetta and Whitlock work their way back, Cora confirmed.

As a whole, the pitching staff continues to dominate. Booser, Greg Weissert, Justin Slaten, and Chase Anderson held the Pirates scoreless the rest of the way. Slaten continues to be a standout addition; two innings on Sunday earned the rookie his first big-league win, and Cora was happy to give Chris Martin and Kenley Jansen, who both pitched Saturday, an extra day off.

“Obviously the pitching, that’s been the constant,” the manager said. “We’re throwing the ball well.”

The Pirates were also serving up blowout opportunities on a silver platter all weekend long, and a healthier Boston lineup would’ve capitalized even more. On Sunday, they gave up eight hits, hit a batter, walked six, and made two errors. Ceddanne Rafaela, Refsnyder, and Jarren Duran each stole a base, and Duran then advanced to third when Aroldis Chapman was charged with a ‘Disengagement Violation.’ Starting pitcher Martín Pérez and Ryder Ryan each made Pitch Timer violations.

While Saturday’s contest had been a competition to see which lineup could leave more runners on base, and Sunday’s was no different for the Sox lineup. Facing his former team, Pérez looked shaky early on. The left-hander issued walks to Rafaela – in the leadoff spot for the first time this season – and Refsnyder before escaping the first inning unscathed.

By the time the Pirates went to the bullpen with two on and no outs in the top of the fifth, the Sox had already left seven men on base. Reese McGuire gave Pérez a parting gift, blooping a pinch-hit two-run single into left to extend Boston’s lead to 4-1, then became one of two more left on base. By game’s end, the Sox were 4-for-17 with runners in scoring position, had stranded 12, and struck out 14 times.

A series sweep in Pittsburgh may be the proverbial bandaid on the bullet hole, but a win is a win, and the Sox should enjoy it.

Because they won’t get to play the Pirates again until next year.

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