Red Sox Outfielder Plays Huge Role In Win, On Short Notice

Wilyer Abreu wasn’t supposed to be in the lineup for the Boston Red Sox with a left-handed starter on the mound for the Kansas City Royals.

Less than half an hour before the scheduled first pitch, Abreu was inserted into the lineup when Roman Anthony was scratched with back tightness.

Abreu finished the game 2-3 with an RBI. He also walked in the first inning and scored on a Jarren Duran home run. In the seventh inning, he hit a hard line drive single to drive in the team’s eighth run of the night.

He also played a role on defense. When the Red Sox bullpen started to falter and let the Royals back in the game, Abreu cut down a runner at home to end the Royals’ rally and keep the lead at three.

The lead was cut to the point where Garrett Whitlock and Aroldis Chapman were needed to shut the door, but Abreu’s throw from right field prevented the Royals from cutting the lead to two or fewer. The Red Sox ultimately held on to win, 8-5.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora took note of Abreu’s performance.

“[Abreu] found out like, two minutes before the game that he was going to play,” Cora said. “Just went out there and did a good job. The walk, took some good swings, obviously, the defense; that was a huge play in the eighth. Overall, a great game.”

Abreu was on a cold streak entering Monday’s game. The lefty was just five for his last 33 over his previous ten games.

With a righty on the mound for Kansas City on Tuesday and Anthony getting a day off, Abreu will likely start in right field and look to pick up where he left off.