BOSTON — An emotional day ended with an uplifting victory.
The Red Sox learned hours before Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway Park that manager John Farrell has been diagnosed with Stage 1 lymphoma, which will prevent him from managing the rest of this season. Boston responded by putting together a dominant effort.
The offense shined throughout Friday’s contest as the Red Sox defeated the Mariners 15-1 in the teams’ series opener. The win snapped a brief two-game losing streak for Boston.
GAME IN A WORD
Dedicated.
Bench coach Torey Lovullo, who will serve as Boston’s manager in Farrell’s absence, said before the game the rest of this season “absolutely” is dedicated to the recovering skipper. The Red Sox surely made Farrell proud Friday by pounding 21 hits in an absolute beatdown of the Mariners.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
The Red Sox scored six runs in the third inning to increase their lead to 9-1.
Boston completed a team cycle in the frame while delivering seven hits. David Ortiz, Rusney Castillo, Ryan Hanigan and Jackie Bradley Jr. each singled, Pablo Sandoval doubled, Brock Holt tripled and Travis Shaw homered.
ON THE BUMP
— Joe Kelly pitched well, which is encouraging, though anyone probably could have pitched well enough to win this game. The Red Sox’s offensive attack was insane.
Kelly allowed only one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked two.
— Craig Breslow (two innings) and Jean Machi (one inning) combined to close out the win.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— The Red Sox finished with 11 extra-base hits (six doubles, two triples and three homers). They went 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
— Nine players for Boston had at least two hits. Sandoval, Bradley and Shaw led the way with three apiece.
— Mookie Betts went 2-for-6 with a triple, a single, an RBI and a run scored.
— Holt went 2-for-6 with a triple, a double and three RBIs.
— Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a single, a double, a walk, an RBI and three runs scored.
— Castillo went 2-for-3 with a home run, a single, two RBIs and two runs scored.
His first-inning homer landed in the Red Sox’s bullpen near the triangle in right-center field.
— Sandoval went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single, three RBIs and two runs scored.
— Shaw, who went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored, launched two home runs — both into the right-field bullpens — and now has four homers since being recalled Aug. 1 from Triple-A Pawtucket.
— Hanigan went 2-for-5 with two singles and two runs scored.
— Bradley continues to look more and more comfortable at the plate. He went 3-for-5 with two singles, a double, an RBI and a run scored.
— Even Alejandro De Aza, who replaced Castillo (left foot contusion) before the fifth inning, collected two hits.
— Xander Bogaerts was the only player in Boston’s starting lineup without a hit. He walked and scored the Red Sox’s first run in the first inning.
TWEET OF THE GAME
The bullpen was a dangerous place to be Friday night.
[tweet https://twitter.com/Britt_Ross108/status/632372073915109377 align=’center’%5D
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Mariners — two underachieving teams — will play two afternoon games before the weekend is over. Wade Miley will face Felix Hernandez in Saturday’s contest.
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
