BOSTON — It didn’t take long for the ball to find Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story in his return after missing 133 games on the injured list.
On the second pitch of the game, White Sox leadoff hitter Nicky Lopez grounded to Story 99 mph off the bat. He fielded it cleanly and threw to first base for the game’s first out.
“It’s just kind of how it goes,” Story said. “It’s baseball. The ball is going to find you and it was nice to get that first one out of the way. I felt like it was a busy night.”
It was a busy night at shortstop for Story, who turned two double plays and showed off his fast-paced, on-the-run style of defense in Boston’s 7-5 victory over the White Sox here at Fenway Park. The first ball put into play in the second inning also went to him for a 6-3 putout.
“Smooth,” manager Alex Cora said about Story’s defense. “It’s different, too. He’s always behind the ball. Sometimes it feels like he’s in between hops but there’s no panic there. Two double plays that were really good. Just a smooth guy. He’s under control at shortstop.”
Story dislocated his shoulder and fractured the glenoid rim diving for a ball April 5 in Anaheim. He underwent shoulder surgery, including a labrum repair, April 12 in Los Angeles. At the time, doctors believed it would be season-ending surgery.
“We didn’t even think I’d be here at this point,” Story said. “It feels like forever ago that I was here fielding questions about having a season-ending injury. Just so grateful for the opportunity to do it.”
The Red Sox lead the major leagues with 103 errors but their defense looked faster and better Saturday with Story back. The infield moved quickly to balls. Boston also could play Ceddanne Rafaela in center field where he has nine defensive runs saved compared to negative-2 at shortstop.
“He’s our quarterback. He is. He is,” Cora said about Story. “That’s what we envisioned in the offseason. Obviously it didn’t work out. But what is it? Twenty more (games)? Hopefully, we can continue to win games and he’s a big part of it.”
Story — who also delivered an RBI single — said playing shortstop means a lot to him. He has 79 career defensive runs saved at the position.
“I think shortstop is a very prideful position,” Story said. “Good teams have good ones. So I think with the quarterback aspect, (it’s) a lot of communication. That’s what it’s really all about. … Continuing to talk to each other throughout the game and just reading swings. I think that’s a big part of it.”
