The Boston Red Sox did a great job welcoming Eduardo Rodriguez back to the rotation Tuesday.
The Red Sox had two runs just five pitches into the game after right fielder Mookie Betts and second baseman Dustin Pedroia started the game off with back-to-back solo home runs, and Betts added a three-run homer in the second to give Rodriguez a 5-0 lead before he even had to do much work. The left-hander was able to cruise from there, too, holding the potent Orioles offense to two runs in the 6-2 win.
And, oh yeah, Betts hit a third home run for good measure.
Here’s how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Impressive.
Rodriguez earned a win in his first start of 2016, Xander Bogaerts extended his MLB-best hitting streak and Betts hit three home runs. It’s safe to say there was a lot for the Red Sox to be proud of in this one.
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
Betts hit his third home run of the game in the seventh inning.
The game still felt close at 5-2, but something about the right fielder’s dominance made it seem as though the Red Sox weren’t going to let go of this lead.
ON THE BUMP
— Rodriguez performed admirably in his first start back from the disabled list, allowing two earned runs on six hits with three strikeouts over six innings. His velocity wasn’t 100 percent, but his changeup was fooling the Orioles, and it was extremely promising considering he’s been sidelined for two months.
— Robbie Ross Jr. enjoyed a 1-2-3 seventh inning with two strikeouts and some help from Betts, who made a wild diving catch.
— Koji Uehara allowed a two-out single to shortstop Manny Machado in the eighth, but he got out of the inning unscathed, recording two strikeouts.
— Craig Kimbrel pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts. You know, the usual.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Tuesday night was all about Betts. The Red Sox right fielder hit three baseballs out of the yard in Baltimore in the first, second and seventh innings, going 3-for-5 with three runs and five RBIs. Two of Betts’ homers were solo shots, while the second one drove in three runs.
— Xander Bogaerts extended his hitting streak to 24 games with a single in the seventh inning and went 1-for-5 on the night.
— Dustin Pedroia went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run from a solo homer in the first.
— David Ortiz, Hanley Ramirez and Travis Shaw all went 1-for-4.
— Chris Young went 1-for-3 with a run and a walk.
— Christian Vazquez went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run.
— Blake Swihart went hitless at 0-for-4 but reached base on a forceout in the eighth inning.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Just Mookie being Mookie.
UP NEXT
The Red Sox play the third of four games at Camden Yards on Wednesday. Boston will send Joe Kelly to the mound against Orioles right-hander Mike Wright.
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
