Phoenix, AZ — Nick Sogard, a utility player for the Boston Red Sox with limited major league experience, proved to be a critical asset in Sunday’s thrilling 7-4 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks. With injuries sidelining key players like Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu, manager Alex Cora turned to Sogard for a crucial pinch-hit in the ninth inning of a tightly contested 4-4 game.
Entering the game with only seven plate appearances in the past two months, Sogard stepped up when it mattered most. With two outs and runners on base, he delivered a two-run double, skillfully hitting a splitter from Diamondbacks pitcher Jordan Rashi into the right-field gap, ultimately sealing Boston’s win.
Cora praised Sogard’s calm composure at the plate: “He’s gonna put the ball in play. He’s a good hitter. We felt like that was the right matchup there.” This victory was particularly vital for the Red Sox, who sought to avoid a series sweep and remain in the wild card race.
Despite Sogard’s limited play at the big-league level—having participated in just 51 games—his experience from three seasons in Worcester was invaluable. He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to contribute during this critical time, stating, “It’s definitely different going from playing every day to this role.”
With just 18 games remaining in the season, the Red Sox find themselves five games ahead in the wild card standings, and every player on the roster is expected to step up. Cora emphasized the importance of team depth in their pursuit of postseason action: “We’re going to continue to use everybody, maximize the roster, and try to win as many games as possible to make it to October.”
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
