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.
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. 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.