BOSTON — Another day, another offensive explosion for the Red Sox.
The Red Sox put up eight-plus runs on the Colorado Rockies for the second straight night Wednesday en route to a 10-3 win. Boston’s power at the plate was amplified by a quality start by knuckleballer Steven Wright, who (obviously) got the run support he needed to earn the win.
Here’s how it all unfolded.
GAME IN A WORD
Balanced.
Sure, Boston’s offense did what they usually do, but Wright did a fine job himself. His knuckleball wasn’t perfect, but he performed admirably, and his teammates gave him all the cushion he needed.
IT WAS OVER WHEN …
The Red Sox’s offense exploded in the fourth and fifth innings.
We were starting to worry Boston’s offense might have forgotten they were playing after going three innings with just one hit, but they put up a four spot in the fourth and scored three more in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
ON THE BUMP
— Wright’s knuckleball wasn’t 100 percent on — he threw three wild pitches and the catchers had four passed balls — but it still was a solid performance by the right-hander. Wright didn’t give up any big innings and worked his way to three runs (two earned) on seven hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over seven good innings.
— Tommy Layne allowed Nolan Arenado to score — he singled off Wright — but otherwise got out of the eighth inning with only one hit allowed.
— Junichi Tazawa gave up two hits in the ninth but finished the final frame with three strikeouts.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Jackie Bradley Jr. and Xander Bogaerts got hits. Again. Bradley extended his hitting streak to 29 games, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run and an RBI, and Bogaerts hit for the 18th straight game at 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI and a run from a big solo shot.
Josh Rutledge replaced Bogaerts in the eighth and went 0-for-1.
— Mookie Betts didn’t get a hit until the eighth inning, but it brought in a run. The right fielder went 1-for-5.
— Dustin Pedroia went 1-for-3 with a double before exiting with hamstring tightness. Marco Hernandez replaced the second baseman and went 2-for-2.
— David Ortiz went 1-for-3 and was walked twice, once intentionally. Big Papi also scored a run and drove in two runs.
— Hanley Ramirez went hitless at 0-for-4 but walked and scored a run.
— Travis Shaw had a great night, going 2-for-4 with a double, a run and three RBIs.
— Ryan Hanigan went 1-for-1 and left in the fourth due to illness. Christian Vazquez went 0-for-3 with a run.
— Blake Swihart went 2-for-4 with two triples, a run and two RBIs. No big deal.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
Hanley’s got jokes.
https://twitter.com/iamjoonlee/status/735618674304901121
UP NEXT
The Red Sox finish out their series against the Rockies on Thursday, as Clay Buchholz goes head-to-head with Colorado starter Jon Gray. The team also will retire Wade Boggs’ No. 26 in a pregame ceremony.
Thumbnail photo via Mark L. Baer/USA TODAY Sports Images
