Red Sox Offense Emerged in 11-2 Win Over Tampa
BOSTON – The Boston Red Sox snapped a three-game, season opening losing streak with an 11-2 victory over the visiting Tampa Rays at Fenway Park. Eight of the Boston nine batters recorded at least a hit and six Sox recorded multiple hits which hadn’t happened since August, 2019.
Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta pitched 5.0 innings of scoreless baseball, his ninth career scoreless start. He allowed only two hits and struck-out four. Dating back to last season, Pivetta is now 3-0 with the Red Sox with a 1.20 ERA.
Rays starter Michael Wacha recorded four of his first six outs with strike-outs, including striking out the side to open the 1st inning but then the Red Sox offense came alive in numerous ways:
- J.D. Martinez recorded his third straight multi-hit game and went 2-for-3, with two walks, a home run and three RBI.
- Alex Verdugo went 2-for-4 with a 2B and sacrifice fly for two RBI.
- Xander Bogaerts matched his career-high for hits in a game by going 4-for-5 with a 2B and an RBI.
- Newcomer Frenchy Cordero gave the Sox a 1-0 lead with his 2B in the 2nd inning and went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
- Hunter Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly to give Boston a 2-0 lead in the 4th inning, to add to his 2-for-3 performance.
- Catcher Christian Vazquez led off the 2nd and 4th inning with singles and scored each time in his 2-for-4 outing.
- Utility man Marwin Gonzalez proved his versatility as he became the first major leaguer since 1900 to start his team’s first four games at four different positions (LF, 2B, 3B and 1B). He went 1-for-3 with a walk and scored twice.
The Red Sox and Rays square-off again tonight at 7:10pm (EDT). Tyler Glasnow will be pitching for the Rays while Martin Perez starts for Boston.