The drama of this exciting win in adverse conditions is matched only by the anticipation of Marcelo Mayer’s call-up for Game 2
The proceedings began as what we might call…biblical?
- Three days of stormy weather.
- A doubleheader that was supposed to take place yesterday but was itself rained out.
- A delayed game due to even more rain.
- An ugly 2-0 hole right away.
- Another change in the weather that sent fans moving toward shelter.
- Lucky fans who weren’t on the move too quickly were able to witness the lead-off homer from Jarren Duran.
- When Duran touched home plate, the game went into another weather-related delay.
- It hailed.
Honestly, can you believe it!
Two batters later, Wilyer Abreu homered and tied it up. Then things settled down until the fourth inning, when we learned that Marcelo Mayer was being promoted!
Things got ugly in the fifth as Sean Newcomb arrived and the Orioles scored three, including one on a wild pitch. The Sox tied it up later, we went to extra innings, and the Sox eventually won it courtesy of a single by Rafael Devers that scored the ghost runner.
Bring on Game 2!
Three Studs
Rafael Devers
His 48th RBI won the game. Though first base was open, the Orioles pitched to him—and paid.
Carlos Narváez
Along with Devers, he’s having a hell of a month, as a possible Rookie of the Month for May. He has a 6G hitting streak. He was in the thick of the chaos in the 6th inning that saw the Sox tie up the game. Look at that smudged-up uniform; that dirt dog makes Rickey Henderson and Dustin Pedroia proud.
Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu
Two bang-bang homers in the first inning to give us a shot in the arm and a chance at the game.
Bullpen (except Newcomb)
Over 5.0 IP, Liam Hendriks, The Justins (Wilson and Slaten), Aroldis Chapman, and Greg Weissert combined for one-hit ball. The rest of the line was: 0R, 3 BB, 5 SO. Weissert got the win.
Honorable Mention
The City Connects
Aesthetically, they’ve grown on me.
Three Duds
Hunter Dobbins
He got off to a rough start, giving up two runs right away. He did get 7 SO though.
The rest of his line: 4.0 IP, 5H, 4 ER, 1 BB.
Sean Newcomb
1.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0K, 1 HBP, 1 WP.
The wild pitch directly resulted in a run scored.
Trevor Story
0-3. Struck out at a key moment in the fifth, with Narváez on third. He’s missing too often in these situations.
Play of the Game
I’m fond of Jarren Duran’s lead-off home run because of the inherent drama caused by the weather, but Rafael Devers’s walk-off single won the game. So here’s both!