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Jerry Remy takes leave from NESN after son charged with murder

Attorney Peter Bella (left) conferred with Jared Remy during Friday’s arraignment in Waltham District Court.Wendy Maeda/Globe Staff

NESN analyst Jerry Remy did not work Friday night’s game against the Yankees following the arrest of his son for murder.

Jared Remy was arraigned earlier in the day at Waltham District Court and charged with murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in the death of his girlfriend, Jennifer Martel, on Thursday. He pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail.

Jerry Remy did not attend the arraignment. He was with the Red Sox in Toronto on Thursday and returned on the team’s charter flight.

NESN announced that Remy also would not call the six games on the team’s West Coast trip that starts Monday. Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley is filling in for Remy.

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It is unclear when Remy will return, although NESN associates said they expect him to return to the broadcast booth this season.

“This morning, we learned of a terrible tragedy. All of us at NESN and the Red Sox, along with Jerry Remy, are filled with grief for everyone involved, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Jennifer Martel,” the network said in a statement.

Red Sox manager John Farrell was asked about the situation before the game.

“It’s an ongoing investigation. Our thoughts, our prayers, and our sympathy is certainly with the Martel family,” he said.

Jared Remy was fired from his job as a security guard at Fenway Park in 2008 after being tied to the use of steroids.

Late departure

The Red Sox have an 8:05 p.m. game against the Yankees on Sunday night then a game in San Francisco against the Giants on Monday night.

Felix Doubront fielded a sacrifice bunt in the first inning, a play that set up the Yankees’ first run. The Sox starter allowed seven runs (six earned) and exited after four innings.Barry Chin/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Traditionally, teams travel the night before the start of the road trip. But the Red Sox have decided to leave at 10 a.m. on Monday morning.

The hope is for the players to get a decent night of sleep at home before boarding the charter flight.

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Thefts are up

The Red Sox are 93 of 112 on stolen base attempts, for a major league-leading success rate of 83.03 percent through Thursday. Kansas City was a close second at 82.50 percent.

The Sox’ top three base stealers — Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, and Shane Victorino — are 77 of 89 (86.5 percent). Ellsbury is 44 of 48.

“They’re smart base runners. They spend time studying the pitcher on the mound at the given moment,” Farrell said. “We’ve got some reminders that run through [first base coach Arnie Beyeler] to what they might trigger on as a key. They pay attention in addition to their physical abilities. It’s not an accident they’re as successful as they are.”

The Sox were second in the AL in steals and third overall in baseball. That’s uncharacteristic of a Red Sox team but part of Farrell’s strategy to put pressure on opposing defenses.

“As long as we remain aware to the game situation and when it’s an appropriate risk to take, I think we come out in the right end of it,” Farrell said.

Farrell said anything above a 75 percent success rate is acceptable.

“When an individual falls below it, then you’ve got to pull people back in,” he said.

Looking better

Third baseman Will Middlebrooks, who singled in his first at-bat Friday, has hit safely in all six games he has played since being recalled from Triple A Pawtucket.

“It’s funny, I don’t even look at my batting average on the scoreboard. I’m just playing and doing what I can do that day,” he said. “That has helped me.”

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Farrell said Middlebrooks appears more relaxed at the plate.

“Prior to he being optioned, I think there was a tendency to try to make up for some previous at-bats. That’s not the case [now],” the manager said. “He’s playing a little more free of mind.”

Farrell likes the idea of having a power bat in the bottom of the order. Middlebrooks has hit ninth since returning, but could move up.

“He’s going to tell us when he’s ready,” Farrell said.

Heavy hitters

Victorino spent some time before the game with Travis Browne, the UFC heavyweight. Both are from Hawaii. Browne is on the card at Fight Night 26 at TD Garden on Saturday. Victorino is an avid fan of mixed martial arts . . . The Sept. 15 game at Fenway Park against the Yankees was picked up by ESPN and will start at 8:05 p.m. . . . Mark Reynolds, who homered in the second inning, is the 50th player used by the Yankees this season. The team record is 51, last done in 2008. The Red Sox have used 44 players . . . The Sox play six consecutive interleague road games starting Monday. Farrell said he has a plan in mind on how often he will start David Ortiz at first base but has yet to discuss it with the player. That Mike Napoli is slumping and has been dropped in the order will make it easier to sit him and play Ortiz in the field . . . Backup catcher David Ross continued his rehabilitation assignment with Pawtucket on Friday, catching nine innings and going 0 for 4. He is expected to be activated off the disabled list on Monday in San Francisco. Ross has been out since June because of a concussion . . . Rubby De La Rosa made his Fenway debut in the fifth inning. He put three runners on base over 2⅓ innings but did not allow any runs . . . Victorino, who has one hit in his last 18 at-bats, was removed after the eighth inning, just as a precaution with his left hamstring, according to Farrell . . . Stephen Drew had two more hits and is hitting .355 with nine RBIs in his last 16 games . . . The victory was the 20th for Andy Pettitte in 40 career starts against the Sox.

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Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.