After an All-Star-caliber first half, Boston Red Sox rookie catcher Carlos Narváez has stumbled out of the gates in the second half, both at the plate and in the field.
Offensively, his bat has been cold for a couple of weeks. Prior to Wednesday’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies, he was 2-for-23 (.087/.160/.130) over his previous seven games.
Narváez has struggled behind the plate as well, committing catcher’s interference in back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday. His miscue on Monday cost the Red Sox the game, which was only the second in MLB history to end on such a play. Even Narváez himself admitted it was strange.
But on Wednesday, he bounced back in a major way, salvaging the series finale for both himself and his team after Boston went down 5-0 early.
His teammates clawed back, however, and with the game tied at 7-7 in the bottom of the 10th, he threw out Weston Wilson trying to steal second base to end the inning. In the top of the 11th, he smashed a go-ahead two-run homer off Seth Johnson for his second hit of the game.
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The 26-year-old backstop won the game for the Red Sox with his arm and his stick, helping them complete their epic comeback and avoid the sweep while redeeming himself in the process.
Boston gets an off day on Thursday to recharge before hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers at Fenway Park this weekend, giving Narváez a well-deserved breather before the defending World Series champs come to town.
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