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Boston Herald
Boston Herald
Sport
Steve Hewitt

Rafael Devers returns from injured list to lead Red Sox to first series win since June

How did the Red Sox respond to losing one of the most beloved members of their clubhouse?

By winning their first series in more than a month, obviously.

It’s only two games and the Red Sox still have a lot to prove that they can contend for a playoff spot over the next two months. But they didn’t fold after Chaim Bloom and the front office decided to trade Christian Vázquez on Monday, and that’s a start.

Almost lost in the craziness of the trade deadline was the return of Rafael Devers, who was back like he never left – and among their slew of additions, showed why he’ll be one of the biggest reasons the Red Sox make the postseason if they get there. The All-Star third baseman drove in both of Boston’s runs – including a go-ahead homer in the sixth – as the Red Sox held off the Houston Astros with a 2-1 victory.

With back-to-back one-run wins over the American League West-leading Astros – who they’re now 4-1 against this season – the Red Sox won their first series since late June, when they swept the Cleveland Guardians.

The Red Sox were certainly disappointed with the loss of Vázquez – and Xander Bogaerts even questioned the direction of the franchise because of the move – but that clearly hasn’t meant they’re rolling over, either.

With a few new pieces, even if they’re not overly glamorous, and reinforcements eventually coming from the injured list, the Red Sox – still just a few games out of the third Wild Card spot – are still optimistic. They pushed through an emotional Monday to win, and looked more upbeat Tuesday, even relieved after learning the front office didn’t completely shake up the roster.

“It’s a different team,” J.D. Martinez told reporters before the game. “It’s giving your team a different look. You never know. It could be what we need.”

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