Sean Burke fans nine Athletics in win

The 30-year-old rookie and Huntsville, Alabama native Hicklen is becoming a bit of a folk hero. He and fellow bottom of the order mate Jim Jarvis hit back-to-back doubles in the ninth inning that helped catalyze a six-run Braves rally which won them the game. He scorched that double at 104 mph and had another batted ball at 100 mph earlier. After being called up 10 days ago, this was his fifth start out of seven games and his second consecutive start even after incumbent right fielder Mike Yastrzemski was activated off the injured list. This hot stretch will likely be short lived with Ronald Acuña Jr. due back soon, but Hicklen has made his presence felt during this opportunity.

When this game was tied 1-1 entering the ninth inning, it seemed likely that Iglesias would find his way into it. Then, the Braves rallied for six runs in the top of the ninth and he got to relax. Then, Victor Meders let the Padres right back into it with three quick runs and Iglesias was called upon to save it. He gave up a home run to Luis Rengifo, but managed to end this game by striking out Manny Machado and Ty France to preserve the one run lead. That made Iglesias the ninth pitcher this season to record 20 saves and he has a 2.57 ERA to boot.

The Braves were certainly motivated to not expose Pérez in this one. He only faced 16 total batters and thus, didn’t complete two full revolutions around the Padres’ lineup. Also, oddly, he threw a first-pitch strike to 12 of those 16 and still managed to walk four batters. This was his first start back off the injured list for a forearm contusion though. Despite a low 3.38 ERA, Pérez’s rotation spot is in jeopardy ahead of the trade deadline. If nothing changes over the next few days, Pérez is scheduled for a two-start week against the Mets and Nationals coming up.

Merrill’s solo home run in the seventh inning got the Padres on the board and tied this game at one run apiece. It was a majestic blast too, traveling an estimated 449 feet with a 109 mph exit velocity and Merrill is suddenly red-hot. Over his last four games, he’s gone 8-for-14 with four home runs and could finally, at long last, be getting it together this season.

King had his swing-and-miss stuff working here despite struggling with his command. He forced 16 whiffs in total – two off his season-high – and retired eight of the last nine batters he faced. But again, his command was still wonky. His four walks matched a season-high and three of those came in a row to start this game. He was throwing changeups and sweepers that were feet off the plate during that flurry and had to dig deep to only let one run in. It’s incredible how highly effective he’s remained without the fantastic command that made him an ace two seasons ago. In total, he has 103 strikeouts, 49 walks, and a 3.24 ERA across 119 1/3 innings and is scheduled for a juicy two-start week against the Rockies and Giants at home next week.

It appears the Red Sox are going to give Ranger Suarez a couple extra days to rest while battling an illness before activating him from the injured list. Sandoval has allowed six runs over 9 1/3 innings of work across a pair of starts since making his season debut earlier this month.

No surprise here. Rivera heads back to the minors after surrendering four runs and recording just two outs during the second game of Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Orioles. It’ll be Alec Gamboa sticking around as long relief depth for Boston after serving as the club’s 27th man for the twin bill.

Bradish allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four on a cool 10 days’ rest tonight. He was originally supposed to pitch Sunday but was pushed back after signing his five-year extension Saturday and then his scheduled start Tuesday was rained out. Bradish is 4-2 with a 2.03 ERA in his last six starts. He’ll pitch in Detroit next week.

Rivera was wild and just not good at all, but he probably would have gotten out of the first unscathed if not for Caleb Durbin making a bad call on a grounder to third with one out. Durbin could have ran to third for a forceout or thrown to first, but he instead tried for an unlikely double play and didn’t get any outs. Rivera struck out the next batter, but then just couldn’t get a third out afterwards. He might head back to Triple-A after this.

Bello was almost certainly going to pitch tonight, but it wasn’t supposed to happen in the first, as the Red Sox were surely counting on two or three innings from Rivera before things got messy. Bello stepped in and did a great job of cleaning up, but Boston never did get back into the game. Bello has allowed one run over 9 2/3 innings in his two appearances since being recalled just before the break. It’s still possible that he’ll return to Triple-A at some point, but he’s certainly making a case for sticking around.