BOSTON — Of the half-dozen runs the Red Sox tallied in their 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals Tuesday night, fully half of them were driven in by Trevor Story.
That should not come as much of a surprise.
Since June 1, the Red Sox shortstop has knocked in 49 runs over the last 55 games, including 11 in his last seven games. Throughout the season, Story has also shown a knack for multi-RBI games — Tuesday night represented the 12th time this season he’s driven in three or more in game this year. Only Seattle’s Eugenio Suarez (14) has accumulated more.
In the sixth inning, with the game tied 1-1, Story punched a blooper into shallow center, and with two baserunners both moving with two outs, both scored.
“Put the ball in play — that matters,” said Alex Cora. “It doesn’t matter how hard you hit it, but put it in play. If you swing and miss, you don’t have a chance. He’s made some adjustments; you’ve got to credit him.”
Indeed, Story has shortened his swing in such situations, emphasizing contact over power and getting to the ball quicker. As was demonstrated in that at-bat, that can make all the difference.
Two innings later, he drove a ground single up the middle and produced an insurance run.
With 72 RBI already and 47 games still to play, Story is on pace to finish with the most number of RBI in a season since his career-best 108 with the Colorado Rockies in 2018.
Over the last two decades, the RBI stat has become devalued, not unlike wins for starting pitchers. Other offensive numbers — as common as OPS and as esoteric as WRC+ — have taken on added significance.
But there’s still something to be said for players who know how to deliver with runners on base, and as the Red Sox’ primary cleanup hitters over the last few months, Story has taken full advantage of his position in the lineup.
“There’s guys who have the same amount of at-bats and they’re hitting .190 with men in scoring position,” said Cora. “Some people put more pressure on themselves. Some people don’t get pitches to hit. Some people swing and miss. I know RBIs are a product of who hits in front of you, but there’s a reason he hits fourth — because you believe that the people in front of him are going to get on base and somebody has to drive them in.”
“Hitting in the middle of the order, (knocking them in) is kind of your job,” said Story. “They get on base for you and it’s our turn in the middle of the order to cash those guys in. There’s times to take your shot. But yeah, it’s been fun coming through in those situations.”
In addition to some adjustments at the plate, Story said much of the task at hand is mental.
“Letting the athleticism come out and not trying to force anything,” offered Story, “or over-extend myself. But in the same breath, (it’s important to) be convicted to what I want and having a nice easy swing on it. That’s what helps me.”
Story’s run over the last two months or so is all the more impressive when you consider how feeble he looked for the first two months of the season. If he wasn’t in danger of forfeiting his roster spot in late May, he was certainly at risk of losing playing time.
“It got to the point in May where you looked at him at the plate and it was like, ‘Oof – a non-competitive at-bat,’ ” recalled Cora. “It was. And he knows it. Now, you feel like something big is going to happen with every swing. The swing decisions are great. He’s going the other way. He’s been outstanding for us.”
Story credits improved health and making quicker adjustments for his turnaround. The slumps are shorter, and when the hits come — as they have more frequently in the last two months — they’re far more impactful.
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