It got exciting for a moment there, then came crashing back to earth.
New game, new meds. Once again, if I say anything out of line, let’s blame it on the pills. Just don’t let ownership find out or they might do me like they did Terry Francona.
Well, I had this recap done and dusted—and then the ninth inning came along and made me rewrite quite a bit of it. Except the ending! I wish I could’ve rewritten the ending but we unfortunately know this one by heart: the Red Sox initiate a late-inning rally but can’t follow through for the W. Boo.
Three Studs
Infield Defense
I want to give the defense their flowers when they earn them, especially since I’m the first to complain about the errors. I’m not including David Hamilton here (he made an error) but I was particularly impressed by:
- Marcelo Mayer made some tough plays (the ball going right over third base, for example) and long throws.
- Abraham Toro appears to be a compactly built guy, so I was surprised to learn that he’s listed at six feet even. That makes it no less impressive that he stretched himself out for all he was worth—several times—to get the pick on a throw. Nice ballet splits and glovework there.
Trevor Story
He singled three times and scored the Sox’s second run of the game, in the ninth, giving us hope the rest of the offense would pick it up behind him and pull out a successful late-game rally. Nope. But nice to see him getting hits again.
Roman Anthony
He demonstrated his patient and steady eye in the batter’s box, picking up two walks in the process. He looked like a veteran at the plate—nice and calm, not pressing—making it clear that his early struggles are simply a moment in time. His double in the ninth kickstarted the Sox’s unsuccessful rally too.
Three Duds
Home Plate Umpire
He wasn’t giving Bello the call on his low strikes, which led to letting the Giants stay alive a little longer, a little too frequently. It also led—indirectly if you like—to two home runs, including the one by Devers…after losing the call, Bello tried to move his pitch up, and well…there you go. In-game adjustments that became costly mistakes. Unfortunately, that’s all the Giants’ offense needed today.
Connor Wong
He continues to be a sure out and came into the game batting .108 in away games. [Spoiler: it’s lower now.] His first two at-bats were particularly frustrating, as he struck out and dribbled a weak grounder back to the pitcher. Cora wisely pinch-hit for him in the ninth (though ultimately, it didn’t matter). He’s still looking for his first RBI of the season.
Sox Offense
Up to their old tricks. They didn’t get a second baserunner in an inning until the sixth. Jarren Duran, who seems to be the spark plug capable of igniting the rest of our offense, didn’t get on base at all, but we can’t rely only on him. Anthony and Story reached base three times each; Wilyer Abreu did it twice, but beyond that, there was very little but hopes and dreams.
Play of the Game
I try to keep this section Red Sox-related, no matter what, but the Sox didn’t give me much to work with today, and Raffy’s homer was his first that wasn’t hit for the Red Sox since he was oh, sixteen years old. Notable. It also padded the Giants’ lead to 3-0, giving them all the offense they’d need today.