Daily Red Sox Links: Alex Cora, Hirokazu Sawamura, Chris Sale

The Red Sox pulled off a huge sweep over the Yankees this past weekend, and they were able to do so for a number of reasons. Some of that was due to talent on the field and how the teams were going, but Boston also got a little motivation from Brett Gardner. (John Tomase; NBC Sports Boston)

After the big weekend in New York, including a relatively late arrival back home early Monday morning, a letdown against the Marlins wouldn’t have been too surprising. That’s not the way it went. (Sean McAdam; Boston Sports Journal)

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Chaim Bloom deserves a lot of credit for the way this season is working out, and particularly with some of his lesser-known pick ups. (Jason Mastrodonato; Boston Herald)

One of those big pick ups was Hirokazu Sawamura, who is thriving in this bullpen right now. And one of the big reasons he is thriving is his nasty mid-90s splitter, which is just unfair. (Alexandra Francisco; NESN)

Jarren Duran’s stock in the prospect world just continues its rocket ship ride to the moon, and at this point it’s a matter of if, not when, he’ll be getting his call up to the bigs. (Alex Speier; Boston Globe)

Chris Sale has been out rehabbing for pretty much this entire season, but expect to at least be able to see his face in the dugout for the next few games at Fenway. (Chris Mason; Masslive)