Sox Use Eight Run Second Inning to Propel Them Over Twins
The Red Sox tried something different today in their batting lineup, and it payed off as they scored 11 runs in an 11-1 win over the 15-13 Minnesota Twins, and 8 of them being in one inning. Manager John Farrell made some interesting moves batting Mookie Betts leadoff, moving rookie stud Andrew Benintendi to the cleanup spot, and moving Hanley Ramirez to the 5 hole. The Red Sox started off hot in the second inning as Chris Young homered for the first time this year which began a barrage of hits. Young led the Sox with a big day at the dish going 2 for 5 with 2 home runs and 2 RBI’s along with 2 runs scored. Sandy Leon also hit one out of the park for the second time this season as he finished 3 for 5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored. Other notable hitter were Dustin Pedroia who had a bases clearing 3 RBI double, Mitch Moreland (AKA Mitchy Two Bags) also hit a double and drove in a run, and finally Xander Bogaerts hit a double as well going 3 for 6 and scoring a run. Rick Porcello had been struggling this year coming into this game but today he was on. Only allowing 1 earned run on a Robbie Grossman solo round tripper. He also went a solid 7 innings and allowed just 7 hits, while striking out 6. Porcello also did not walk one batter. On the Minnesota side the bats were quite obviously, the only noise coming from leadoff batter Robbie Grossman who went 2 for 4 with a home run and an RBI. Nick Tepesch got his first start of the 2017 season and it didn’t go as planned, allowing 7 runs (only 1 earned) on 5 hits while he walked 2 and struck out 2. Drew Rucinski would relieve in the second inning as he went 3.1 innings allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits while sitting down 5. The Sox offense finally got going again and they got their confidence back after falling to the Twins the night before 4-3 on a Joe Mauer walk-off homer. The series finale will be tomorrow afternoon at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. First pitch will be at 2:10 pm. Starters for tomorrow are Chris Sale and Ervin Santana. The Red Sox are looking to remain hot on the offensive side of the ball but tomorrow will be no easy task by all means as they go up against 5-0 Ervin Santana who is tied for first in wins in the MLB and leads the league in ERA (0.66).
