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Mauro Gomez Determined to Show Off Bat, Audition for First Base Opening With Adrian Gonzalez Gone

BOSTON — Even in a defeat to the Royals, Mauro Gomez provided a nice sight.

On a day the
Red Sox cleaned house, the obscure farmhand flexed his muscle and capitalized
on Adrian Gonzalez's departure. During his first at-bat, the temporary Red Sox first baseman ignited the offense with a solo shot over the Monster — his first career big league home run.

Once the Red Sox made
their trade with the Dodgers official, Gomez said he knew he had a monthlong audition ahead.

"Now
that Adrian, a tremendous ballplayer by the way, isn't here, I think it's a
great opportunity for me to show everyone that I'm able to play first base and
I can contribute with my bat," Gomez said. "I want to open everyone's
eyes."

This isn't
Gomez's first stint with the Red Sox, let alone his first notable contribution
for them this season. In a seven-game stretch in July, Gomez provided plenty of
offense in Will Middlebrooks' absence, collecting nine hits and three RBIs.

With first
baseman James Loney — the major league piece Boston received from Los Angeles — scheduled
to join the Red Sox on Sunday, manager Bobby Valentine could use a platoon situation at first base.

Valentine took note of Gomez'
potential.

"Gomie had a really nice
game, first home run, few other hits," Valentine said. "He's a good
hitter."

Gomez also emerged as a key contributor with men on base. During the third inning,
the slugger whacked Royals starter Jeremy Guthrie's fastball for a two-run
single.

Gomez finished the game
4-for-6 with three RBIs. But the numbers paled in comparison to the exhilaration
the rookie said he felt as rounded the bases at Fenway Park for his first career blast.

"It was
an amazing feeling," Gomez said. "I'm an aggressive batter, and I
always have my eye on fastballs. He threw me a fastball, I was able to give it
a good swing. It gave me a lot of confidence that I keep it going, and I'm feeling
more and more comfortable."

More and more comfortable — on taking over.

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