BOSTON — Adrian Gonzalez scampered across the base paths, sporting a huge smile. Upon crossing home plate after his three-run homer, the Red Sox slugger showed a rare outpouring of emotion.
At the time of the blast in Sunday's 4-3 loss, Gonzalez managed to lift the Red Sox to a one-run lead. Despite squandering the win in the ninth inning, the team can take solace in Gonzalez' improved approach at the plate.
"I've been having a consistent feel for two days," Gonzalez said. "The first two at-bats today were more bad game-planning than anything. I kind of got myself out. If I have a good game plan, I'm able to execute it with the swing. I feel I should be able to have success."
The RBIs were never an issue for Gonzalez. Heading into the rubber match against the Rays, the first baseman — and occasional outfielder — had batted in 23 runs for third highest on the team.
But his lack of power, especially with runners aboard, was troubling. Gonzalez finished the month of April with just two home runs. Before Sunday's three-run homer, he had only tallied one round-tripper for the month of May.
Now, in the past seven games, Gonzalez has homered twice. And Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine is hoping there's more production on the horizon.
"You know, if he goes on a roll, we could let him carry us for a while," Valentine said. "It would be good to see him do that."
Gonzalez, however, still has room for improvement. With the bases juiced in the eighth inning, the slugger couldn't capitalize — this time, against reliever Jake McGee — and grounded out.
Even so, David Ortiz was still encouraged by his partner in crime's power surge, specifically against reigning rookie of the year Jeremy Hellickson.
"That was huge, especially against Hellickson," Ortiz said. "I was at second base, and that was a pretty good pitch — not to hit, but for the pitcher. That's the kind of pitch a pitcher is going to execute with. [Gonzalez] went at it, was patient, and that's why he hit it so well."
As the Red Sox prepare to host the Tigers, Gonzalez said the team's goal is to take three out of four games. He's likely hoping to be a big part of that.
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