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BATTING LEADOFF

Nobody can better relate to what Chad Tracy has experienced this season as interim manager of the Red Sox than Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo.

Lovullo was bench coach of the Red Sox in 2015 when manager John Farrell learned he had Stage 1 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Farrell revealed the shocking news to the team on Aug. 14, then stepped aside for the remainder of the season to receive treatment.

Lovullo led the Sox to a 28-20 record, drawing praise for how he handled the team during a difficult time. To this day, Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts, and Eduardo Rodriguez are among the players who hold Lovullo in high regard for the way he gracefully handled a difficult situation.

“One of the most important people in my career,” said Rodriguez, who signed with the Diamondbacks before the 2024 season in part because he wanted to play for Lovullo again.

Lovullo doesn’t know Tracy, but from afar he has been impressed with the job he has done since replacing Alex Cora in April.

TO THE LINKS

ABOUT YESTERDAY: After three home runs, another series of impressive-turned-easy catches from their outfielders, and a dominant showing from their best relief pitchers, the Red Sox lost anyway, 7-6, to the Diamondbacks in 10 innings. Tim Healey has the game story.

Here is the box score.

BOO BIRDS OUT: Willson Contreras drew boos when he didn't run hard while grounding to third base for the penultimate out. Tim Healey has more on the play.

EXTRA REST: Jake Bennett remains in the Red Sox’ rotation, but he won’t pitch until Sunday against the Giants, nine days after his previous outing. Tim Healey has more in the notebook.

SHOWING PROMISE: On Tuesday in Portland, Roman Anthony offered a glimpse of something he hadn’t shown in a regular-season game this year. Alex Speier writes that the 22-year-old impacted the ball in ways he hadn’t since the World Baseball Classic.

CHARTING HIS PATH: Joshua Báez, a Boston native, became the first player in major league history to homer three times in his debut. Amin Touri caught up with some of Báez's mentors after his smashing debut.

BOOK CLUB: Join Ken Davidoff and Michael Silverman on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Belmont Books for a discussion of Davidoff's book, "101 Lessons from the Dugout". The two will take questions and talk about their years covering the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry.

See more of our Red Sox coverage here.

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