That was a certifiable big league win on Thursday night.
The Red Sox offense was getting beat down by Taj Bradley and the Rays. Down two runs late, I was ready to accept defeat and move on for the rest of the series. Then the seventh inning happened.
Newly acquired reliever Bryan Baker takes over for Bradley, probably to the relief of the home dugout. Trevor Story works a walk and swipes second base. Romy Gonzalez walks to set up Marcelo Mayer. The kid squibs and legs out an RBI double to left field. Two on, both in scoring position, for inarguably the hottest hitter in the Red Sox lineup in Ceddanne Rafaela. Two-run single. One-run lead.
Uh oh. One-run game? The Red Sox aren’t good at those this season! Turns out they decided they wanted to win this one.
A seven-game win streak and starting this series against Tampa Bay on a really good note. Keep it going, fellas.
Three Studs
Ceddanne Rafaela (2-for-3, 2 RBI)
Ceddanne is simply on fire. He wants to win. He’s showing it with his play. THIS is the Ceddanne Rafaela the Red Sox extended.
Garrett Whitlock (1.0 IP, 2K, hold)
Garrett Whitlock, are you a man or a mouse? This is what it feels like seeing Whit come out of the bullpen this season. A 1-2-3 frame is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Aroldis Chapman (1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 K, save)
Have we given enough love to Aroldis Chapman? Stay tuned tomorrow…
Three Duds
Walker Buehler (6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 2 HR, 3 BB, 2 K)
What do you mean he’s a dud, it was a quality start?! Yeah, but aside from the third inning, he still looked like he was battling. Two homers isn’t great, and while he should carry some momentum from this, it’s still not at the level I’m expecting out of Buehler. Unless my expectations are just wrong.
Jarren Duran (0-for-3, 1 BB, 2 K)
Abraham Toro (0-for-3, 1 BB, 1 K)
The offense has been HOT HOT HOT the last six games, and it cooled off because of Taj Bradley mainly. These two gents just happen to have the rougher of the night.
Play of the Game
It’s Rafaela’s two-run, game-winning single. Nuff Cedd.