BOSTON — On a day that Bobby Valentine experienced the heat, the Red Sox offense turned it up.
The spark came straight from the top of the order in Monday’s 9-2 win, with Jacoby Ellsbury, Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia and Adrian Gonzalez combining to go 11-for-18 with eight doubles and eight RBIs. It was a reminder of the offense’s potency.
It also set an unprecedented franchise record. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, it’s the first time in team history that the Red Sox have had each of the first three batters in the lineup notch at least two doubles in a game.
“It’s going to be hard to get Dustin with three hits and Adrian with three hits every night and have Ells and Carl on base the whole time,” Valentine said. “But consistent at-bats are what we’re getting these days. These guys are world-class players, and they’re playing very well right now.”
The performance took place at a crucial time in Valentine’s administration. With the Red Sox stalled in mediocrity, there was speculation earlier on whether Boston’s brass would can Valentine and start anew to save the season.
But team owner John Henry offered a vote of confidence and, shortly thereafter, the Red Sox offense gave Valentine a comfortable cushion with a season-high eight doubles. In a span of hours, the organization gave Valentine the lift that he needed.
“He deserves it,” Gonzalez said of the support. “It’s one of those things. He hasn’t swung the bat all year. He hasn’t pitched. It’s us that are playing out there. The .500 record we’re at right now, it’s on us. It’s not on Bobby. Everybody wants to make a big deal out of that but it’s never been on Bobby. It’s always been on us.”
That complete package was on display in Monday’s game against Texas. With Crawford and Gonzalez tallying three RBIs apiece, it was a sign of the team that Valentine expected to inherit last December.
Despite the vote of confidence from management, Valentine still wishes the situation never reached this point.
“I regret that they had to do it,” Valentine said. “If our record was better, they wouldn’t have had to do it. Totally appreciated, though. If they felt it was necessary and they think it’s good for the guys.”
Intentionally or not, the team responded with some fire anyway.
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