Red Sox past grueling stretch, look forward to reinforcements for stretch run

Primary Journalistic Dispatch & Direct Reporting

Jake Bennett never found his rhythm Wednesday against the Angels, allowing six runs on nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images via Reuters

BOSTON - As the Boston Red Sox limped to the finish line of a grueling stretch that featured 14 games in 13 days, they took solace in the fact that the final gantlet in their schedule is complete.

In a season that has tested them in many ways, the Red Sox came out of this most recent stretch a respectable 7-7. It could have been better, but it also could have been much worse, particularly without their best hitter, Willson Contreras, for much of it.

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Wednesday, Red Sox starter Jake Bennett was roughed up for a season-high three home runs, and although the Red Sox battled back with two homers of their own, they fell 6-4 to a Los Angeles Angels team with 90 losses on the year.

Over their last six games, the Red Sox offense has hit just .197. A much-needed off day awaits Thursday.

"You can finally reach for the three off days over the course of the next 10 days or two weeks," interim manager Chad Tracy said. "Which is helpful from the standpoint of rest for everybody that's active, and also rest days for the guys who we're trying to get back."

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Those upcoming days off offer one type of reprieve, and the incoming lineup reinforcements offer another.

Contreras is expected to return in the coming days. He's scheduled to play a rehab game in Double-A Portland on Saturday so he can see live pitching and play first base in a game atmosphere.

"He just wants to get on his feet," Tracy said. "He's been down for a while, and just to get on his feet and actually see some pitching, move around at first base, maybe get on base."

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Contreras last played on Aug. 30 at the New York Yankees, when he went on the injury list with a hamstring strain.

Meanwhile, Ceddanne Rafaela, out since Sept. 3 with a right quad strain, was reassessed by the medical staff Wednesday to ramp up his running progression. He's eligible to return Tuesday in Texas.

The Red Sox have struggled a bit offensively without Contreras and Rafela, but Wednesday's lineup was also missing Adley Rutschman for the second straight game.

Before the game, Tracy revealed Rutschman had received a cortisone shot Monday after a game in which he hit a three-run homer. Rutschman has been dealing with a hyperextended elbow from a swing in Miami two weeks ago. The team has managed his playing time, but it is hoping Monday's shot will get him over the hump. Tracy expects Rutschman back in the lineup Friday.

In the final days of the regular season, the Red Sox are trying to rest some of their key players who've had nagging injuries, even if it costs them some games. It's a delicate balance, given they have not yet clinched a playoff berth despite holding a six-game lead for the second American League wild-card spot.

With Rutschman out, Tracy opted to have Mickey Gasper catch Bennett given their familiarity from time together in Triple A earlier this season.

Reporting synthesized and verified under Nexvoro.tech editorial guidelines. Full primary records referenced via The New York Times.