BOSTON -- In a cathartic bottom of the fourth inning that didn’t include so much as an extra-base hit, the Red Sox sent 10 batters to the plate, scored six runs and finally had some things to smile about during what had been an agonizing homestand to date.
Sometimes, all you need is a sacrifice bunt, which Nick Sogard provided. Or a timely error by the opposing first baseman that leads to a run (which Matt Olson obliged on). How about a rally-continuing RBI single by the suddenly-sizzling Isiah Kiner-Falefa? Or a splattered, broken-bat single off the bat of Jarren Duran that set in motion two-run singles from Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu?
For weeks, the Sox haven’t been able to catch many breaks in their home park, and the dam finally broke for one glorious inning in Wednesday’s 8-0 victory over the Braves at Fenway Park.
“Yeah, I think that's the plan, to keep moving the line and pass it to the other guy behind you,” said Rafaela, who had three hits. “And then that's when big things like that happen.”
Boston’s first 14 hits of the night were singles. The 15th and final knock was a solo shot by Duran, his fourth hit of the contest.
“That's crazy,” said Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy. “But because we stacked them, [it worked]. The other day, we had seven extra-base hits [and] scored five runs. Today, we didn't get but one at the end and scored eight. Singles work when you stack them. That has been, at times, the problem. We can look up and get eight or nine hits, but we don't stack them. But we stacked them today. That's usually what equals big crooked-number innings.”
After an 0-4 start to the homestand in which each game was a nailbiter, Boston gave the Fenway faithful something to cheer about, improving to 9-18 at home.
Before Wednesday’s breakout, the Sox had lost their last five at home, seven out of eight and eight out of 10.
Finally, Fenway felt like Fenway again for the players in home white jerseys and the passionate fans inhabiting the stands.
If rookie fireballer Payton Tolle can outduel veteran star Chris Sale in Thursday’s series finale, Boston will win its first series at home since taking a rubber match from the Brewers on April 9.
While the offense did its job in that one big inning, Connelly Early did his all night from the mound.
The rookie lefty (5-2, 2.95 ERA) held the heavy-hitting Braves to four hits while walking three and striking out seven over seven scoreless innings. He left to a well-deserved standing ovation from the crowd of 34,093.
“Yeah, it was great,” Early said. “When it’s warm like it is now, it’s pretty nice at Fenway. The weather felt great. So it’s a pretty good time just being able to go out there [and] see a bunch of people in T-shirts out there enjoying the game. ”
There was a lot to enjoy. Particularly from the 1-2 punch of Duran and Rafaela, who combined on a 7-for-10 night with three runs and three RBIs.
Duran started getting hot at the end of the last road trip. In this game, he raised his average from .198 to .213, marking the first time he’s left the ballpark over the Mendoza Line since April 5.
The dynamic leadoff hitter sparks the entire lineup when he’s in a groove. Then there is Rafaela, who has quietly matured at the plate (.285/.350/.441 batting line) in his third season.
“Impressive. The biggest thing for me, the average and all that notwithstanding, just overall his swing decisions at the plate [have improved a lot],” said Tracy, who also managed Rafaela in the Minors. “The month I've been here is as good as I've seen. He's just being particular about what he's swinging at, and when he gets a good pitch to hit, he's hitting it hard, so he's swinging the bat very well.”
If the Red Sox can get enough guys to swing it well on a more consistent basis, their 23-31 start could be just an impediment and not a permanent obstacle. In fact, the offense hasn’t been the issue on this homestand, as the bats have started to come around. For how severe the struggles have been for Boston at times, the club is three games back in the Wild Card standings, thanks to a mediocre start by so many American League teams.
“I think it's awesome to see things turning our way,” Rafaela said. “And hopefully it keeps going like that. And like I said, we're going to be in a really good spot in September.”