After roughly two weeks of embarrassing games for the Red Sox, they finally woke the fuck up this week, no more so than last night, when they trounced the Rays, 9-3. This team came to play.
I don’t know if it’s Applegate, the postseason looming, or the Red Sox finally getting sick of playing like shit, and I don’t really care. Whatever it is, something finally got through to this team, and they’re performing like they have been on their best days. I’m not saying that one good week fixes everything, but it’s a start. Last night, nearly everyone had a hit, and Drew Pomeranz was electric, backed up by a strong bullpen to win his 15th game of the season. Watch out, American League, the sleeping dragon is awake, and it’s hungry.
Highlights:
– Mookie Betts has probably disappointed the most lately, so I was thrilled to see last year’s AL MVP runner-up hit a 3-run homer (his 19th of the season) in the 1st to drive in Pedroia and Benintendi.
– Betts and JBJ each made impressive catches to keep the Rays score low in the first and ninth
– In the fourth, Benintendi and Hanley each had RBI singles to make it 6-0 and 7-0, respectively
– Christian Vazquez reached on an error and had an RBI-double
– Austin Maddox pitched for the second time this week and has been solid enough that I’m pretty sure we can send Hembree to sit in a corner somewhere. Barnes who?
– Drew Pomeranz picked up his 15th win with 6 IP and 7 K’s. He only gave up two hits and 2 runs and continues to be one of our strongest, most reliable starters.
– As of this game, the Sox have two LHP with 15+ wins apiece – Pomeranz and Sale each have fifteen – for the first time since 1953.
– This is the Sox’s 80th W of the season, and with the Yankees 11-5 loss to the Rangers, they add to their first place lead.
Chris Sale takes the mound tonight at 7:10 PM EST
