The spectators present at the legendary Fenway Park yesterday were treated to a whole baseball game. Trailing 8-7 after two outs late in the ninth inning, the Boston Red Sox took advantage of a largesse from outfielder Ryan McKenna to win 9-8.
For a first win in 2023, you couldn’t ask for a better scenario.
Back on the mound after a long absence, left-hander Chris Sale won himself the dunce cap after a more than shaky outing. Sale gave the visitors seven runs on seven hits in three innings of work. He still struck out six Orioles batters during his short tenure.
The Red Sox are expected to have a tough 2023 season and are the pundits’ pick to finish in the East Division basement in the American.
Yesterday they proved to a rival team that they will fight every moment and that the attack can score points.
The hero of the game, Adam Duvall, hit a quick 99 mph from reliever Félix Bautista on the other side of the green monster to seal the victory for his people. A new member of the Red Sox, Duvall had a game of thunder. The center fielder had four hits in five at bats while driving in five runs. His winning long ball was his second cannon shot of the day.
With Bautista on the mound and holding a one-point lead, the win was just a formality for Brandon Hyde’s men, especially with just one out to get. However, the Gods of baseball have decided otherwise. Left fielder Ryan McKenna couldn’t control a routine Masataka Yoshida fly ball and doubt had just settled in the head of the Orioles’ number one reliever.
A few shots later, veteran Duvall took advantage with the knockout blow and the Red Sox scored their first win of the season. The power Duvall brings to the right side of home plate is why Red Sox executives were so keen to add him to the roster. Yesterday’s game proved them right.
Another newcomer to Boston, reliever Kenley Jansen, tasted victory in his first outing in his new uniform. The 35-year-old veteran failed to give the visitors a run in the top of the ninth inning and struck out two opposing batters.
On the losing side, outfielder Austin Hays stood out with five hits in as many at-bats. He’s hitting .500 in two games this season.
In 2023, the Red Sox will definitely lose more games than they win, but you can count on them to deliver exciting play.
In total, the two teams hit six home runs during this duel.
