Quotes, notes and stars: Wright's knuckleball ‘dancing everywhere'

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BOSTON – Quotes, notes and stars from the Red Sox’ 9-4 win over the Braves:

QUOTES

“We’ve talked a lot about the action -- the violence – and that was the case again tonight, even in an outdoor stadium . . . His seven innings, his dependability I guess in a word, is what continues to solidify itself. We hand him an early lead and he makes it stand up for the seven innings tonight.” - John Farrell said on Steven Wright’s knuckleball and performance in Boston’s win.

“For me I don’t worry about velocity with my fastball, it’s my location more than anything. So If I try to overthrow it to get it to 85 or 86 [mph] then usually it’s not a good pitch. When I did throw fastballs [tonight] I was trying to locate it. Because if I feel like if I locate a fastball, it’s a lot better than an overthrown fastball that’s up; because these guys can hit a fastball that’s out over the plate. When’s it’s located when they expected a knuckleball to come, it becomes a more effective pitch for me.” - Steven Wright on the use of his fastball in his Wednesday night start.

“The last couple of years he’s been playing with injuries. I’ve told him ‘Listen, I know how much you love the game, but if your injured there’s not much you can do about it.’ Pedroia tries everything. He likes to be out there, he’ll play injured. I’ve never seen anyone doing it [like him]. Now he’s healthy and you guys are seeing what he’s all about.” - David Ortiz said on Dustin Pedroia after his two-home run performance.

“He’s throwing the ball great. That thing’s dancing everywhere. I mean (Ryan Hanigan) is doing an unbelievable job trying to keep it in front. I got a good view -- and those pitches are moving.” - Dustin Pedroia said on Wright’s outing and Hanigan’s ability to handle the dancing knuckleball.

NOTES

* Steven Wright has allowed two or fewer earn runs in his last eight starts, dating back to July 25th of last year.

* Wright’s quality start marks Boston’s eighth in the last 12 games. Boston starters have posted a 3.44 ERA over those 68 innings.

* With Wednesday night’s performance, David Ortiz became the first Red Sox hitter 40 or older to hit three doubles in a game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

* Ortiz now has 1,119 career extra-base hits, passing Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx, and tying George Brett for 16th all-time. He is also solely 16th all-time in doubles with 595, breaking the tie at 592 with Todd Helton.

* Dustin Pedroia and Brock Holt both have grand slams this year, matching Boston’s 2015 total.

STARS

1) Steven Wright

Earning his fourth quality start in as many outings the knuckler gave Boston another stellar outing, striking out eight in seven innings and only allowing three hits.

2) Dustin Pedroia

After smashing Pesky’s Pole to log his third career grand slam, Pedroia squeaked it over the Monster in the eighth, also marking the seventh multi-home run game of his career.

3) David Ortiz

After taking two nights off on the road Boston’s designated hitter went 3-5 with three doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.

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