What Rafael Devers Told Red Sox Before Huge Win Over Mariners

A sound scouting report from their best player helped the Red Sox get back on track Monday night.

Bouncing back from a third straight series loss wasn’t expected to be easy for Boston. The Red Sox kicked off their three-game set against the Seattle Mariners with a matchup against Logan Gilbert, a 2024 All-Star who carried a 2.72 ERA into the series opener at Fenway Park.

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But Boston got the best of the 6-foot-6 right-hander, who turned in the shortest outing (2 2/3 innings) since his rookie season in 2021. Gilbert was tagged for seven earned runs on seven hits, which included three doubles and a two-run home run, before exiting the contest.

The Red Sox went on to tack on seven more runs and cruised to a win they really needed. Nearly every Boston starter was part of Monday night’s hit parade, but Alex Cora singled out one of them after the game.

“Before the game, Raffy (Rafael Devers) was talking about the approach,” Cora told reporters, per The Boston Globe. “If you don’t stay with the fastball to left-center, then (his other pitches) are going to play and you are going to chase. I think the guys did an outstanding job of using the big part of the field.”

Devers wasn’t the only Red Sox player who was vital in setting the tone for Boston against the playoff-hopeful Mariners. One of Wilyer Abreu’s best at-bats of the season saw the second-year outfielder smack an RBI single on the 12th pitch he received from Gilbert in the third inning.

With momentum back on their side, the Red Sox will try to keep it rolling Tuesday when they meet the M’s for the middle game of their series. NESN’s complete coverage begins at 6 p.m. ET.