After scoring from first base on a single and a throwing error in the eighth inning of a blowout win Saturday, Dansby Swanson had enough energy to swing his right arm in jubilation.
“He just makes things happen,” Trey Mancini said after Swanson’s daring sprint put the finishing touches on a 10-3 victory over the defensively-challenged Rangers. “He’s always engaged, always giving his best effort. No matter what the score, even if we were down 9-2, he would do the same thing.”
Manager David Ross was extremely pleased that Swanson didn’t let up even though the Sox already had a 7-2 lead prior to Ian Happ’s bases-loaded hit that cleared the bases.
“Keeping his head up and finishing the play, small details,” Ross said. “Securing the baseball, those things go a long way and continue to put pressure on the defense.”
Swanson collected two hits, including an RBI single in the third that snapped a 1-1 tie.
Home on the range
Jameson Taillon learned quickly about the short dimensions in right field in Yankee Stadium over the last two seasons, and he doesn’t anticipate any concerns once temperatures rise and the wind is blowing out at Wrigley Field.
“It’s just learning where the slug is and avoid certain areas, and what pitches play the best,” Taillon said. “I’m a guy who has had to evolve as my career has gone on. So I’m still learning, taking inventory and hearing it all out. But it’s learning what pitches play to your strengths.”
Taillon allowed 14 home runs in 80 innings in 2021 at Yankee Stadium but adjusted and surrendered only 10 homers in 90 2/3 innings the following season at New York.
“Let’s say the wind is blowing super hard in,” Taillon said. “It might give me a little more confidence when I’m behind in the count, just to challenge a guy. If it’s blowing super out, and I’m facing a really dangerous hitter, that might have me lean on my curve ball and puts guys on the ground the most. But I wouldn’t say that’s something that I go out of my way for.”
Heavy duty
Adbert Alzolay made the transition from starter to full-time reliever in 2022, and one of the biggest adjustments has been the limited time to warm up before inserted in games.
“I incorporated the Plyos into my program,” said Alzolay, referring to PlyoCare balls produced by Driveline Baseball.
Alzolay said he used to make 40 to 70 throws at about 120 feet to stay loose. But the weighted balls shorten his warmup time and “they keep my arm in a good position to pitch more often.”
Alzolay started using the weighted balls last winter, and “it’s pretty steady now.”