The Sox were in control in a high-stakes game.
Context
What to expect in this game? Well, it’s only the opening game of a huge series—maybe the hugest of the season so far. The Red Sox entered two-and-a-half games behind KC in the final Wild Card spot, and this series will show us what our Sox are made of.
Tonight, we can see if David Hamilton can pad his MLB-leading stolen base total of 28. We get another look at Nick Sogard (third game since being called up) and James Paxton (second game since returning to the Red Sox). And we’ll say hello to old friend Hunter Renfroe.
Game Action
The game started with a Jarren Duran strikeout—discouraging. Then consecutive singles by Wilyer Abreu and Masataka Yoshida gave us runners on the corners with Devers coming to the plate. Exciting! However, we then struck out twice to strand both runners. Frustrating!
What was this game going to be?
Human Interest Interruption (Sandwiches)
But what is this?! We learned in the bottom of the first that Kaufman Stadium is selling a sandwich inspired by Vinnie Pasquantino that sells for $20! As a sandwich fan, this got my attention but jeez! The Mariners have the Double Mitchwich here in Seattle, named after their two Mitches (Garver and Haniger) but it only costs $15.49. Life is cheap in Seattle?! I learned something today.
Back to the Game
In the second there were two more singles, then a double—all rapped to nearly the same spot in right field. The Sox got two runs out of it.
When did Jarren Duran start wearing the gold elbow and shin pads?! I only noticed it in the fourth inning. Love!
The Royals scored in the third. They did it again in the fourth on a tough-luck miss by James Paxton; it was a dribbler between the mound and first base that he couldn’t get his glove around and ran right over. A right-handed pitcher would have had an easier play because of the angle, and that’s why we have Romance languages using words like gauche and sinistra (same as “sinister”) to mean “left.”
The sixth inning was heads-up for the Sox. Rafaela perfectly placed a looper between short and the outfielders, moving up Sogard. Then he saw an opportunity to keep going, so he easily took second too. Next was Duran who drove them both in on a screamer along the line in left, then stole third. He didn’t get any farther, but certainly put the team in position for more.
The seventh inning began with four consecutive hits by the Sox, one being a homer by Romy Gonzalez. Throw in a wild pitch (I didn’t do that on purpose, I swear), and it added up to four more for the Sox.
Paxton turned in a strong outing. I’ll admit that I’ve been down on Paxton for years now, watching his injurious misadventures with both the Mariners (in his second stint here in Seattle) and Sox (first stint) first hand, but he turned it around in this game. With his pitch mix undergoing a dramatic change (it has Andrew Bailey’s fingerprints all over it) he suppressed KC hitters—even red-hot Bobby Witt, Jr.—for seven innings. He used his breaking ball about half the time, knowing that KC was looking for the fastball. With the pitch mix changed, he could use the fastball more effectively, and he located it well.
The Royals showed they weren’t out of it in the seventh (or did they show that our bullpen finds it tough to protect a lead?). Either way you slice it, they got back two. Although the Royals made it interesting again with a home run in the eighth, the Sox hung on fairly easily.
This was a fantastic win in so many ways. Nearly everyone did what they needed to do, and had at least one moment to feel extremely proud of. A true team effort. The Sox more than proved their heart, effort, and chops in a high-stakes game, and hopefully made a statement that will establish momentum for the rest of the season: Don’t take your eyes off of us.
Studs
There weren’t many stand-out players tonight, but there were a whole bunch of stand-out moments. The Sox were a great ensemble, with lots of players contributed a well-placed or well-timed hits, or making a heads-up play—everybody contributed in some way.
Yoshida: 4-5, 1R
Paxton: 6.0 IP, 5H, 2R, 4K, 1 BB
Rafaela: 2-4, turned a single into a double with his awareness and speed, had a stunner of a catch
Duds
Sure, a couple of runners got picked off, some guys were quieter at the plate than we’re used to, but nearly everybody contributed in another way, and it all balanced out.
Criswell: 0.2 IP, 3H, 2R, 1K
Garcia: gave up a homer to the first batter he faced, though he settled down quickly
Play of the Game
Cedanne’s catch in the bottom of the fifth has to be seen to be believed. He raced to it, needing to spin his body and also twirl his wrist in a fun little almost-backhanded kind of way. It was so…well, theatrical…that even the KC crowd showed their appreciation, and he was thanked by Paxton with two arms up in the air. Impressive!