Will Middlebrooks and Mike Napoli, who both suffered through brutal slumps earlier this season, led that offensive charge, and Major League Baseball recognized their efforts, naming them Co-Players of the Week in the American League.
The two combined to go 23-for-49 (.469) over the seven-day stretch, with each tallying four home runs and nine RBIs. Both players homered in the Red Sox’ 20-4 rout of Detroit last Wednesday, and Napoli’s grand slam two nights later was pivotal in a 12-8 comeback victory at Yankee Stadium.
Middlebrooks followed with a dramatic home run of his own on Sunday, taking Mariano Rivera deep to tie the score in the ninth, but a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame allowed the Yankees to salvage the series finale.
The Red Sox will have Monday off before opening a three-game set Tuesday night against the Rays in Tampa.