Mondesi's bases-clearing triple picks up KC
Rookie fuels 8-run inning, erases impact of Orlando's rare miscue
BOSTON -- This is what is known as picking up a teammate.
After center fielder Paulo Orlando committed a critical two-base error that led to a three-run fifth inning for the Red Sox, rookie Adalberto Mondesi whacked a three-run triple to highlight an eight-run sixth inning Sunday night for the Royals, who stormed ahead to a 10-4 victory.
Mondesi hit his third triple of the season on the first pitch he saw from reliever Matt Barnes. Statcast™ projected that it traveled 406 feet, making it the first ball Mondesi has hit over 400 feet in the Majors.
"I was just looking fastball," Mondesi said. "I know he throws hard. I was looking fastball and I got it. Put a good swing on it."
The blast rolled into the deepest part of Fenway Park, in right-center field. For a moment, Mondesi thought he had a grand slam.
"Wrong spot," Mondesi said. "I got it in that little corner. But that's OK, got three RBIs and helped the team."
Mondesi made it from home to third in 11.2 seconds, the fourth fastest time by a Royals player this season. Jarrod Dyson has the quickest time at 10.9 seconds. Mondesi had an 11-second time earlier this season.
As he rounded second base, Mondesi thought about an inside-the-park home run.
"I was going to try [to go home] but [third-base coach Mike Jirschele] stopped me," Mondesi said. "But anytime I hit the ball in the gap, I think three."
Mondesi has struggled at the plate this season, hitting .189. But the Royals see all kinds of potential because of his speed and defensive skills.
"Everyone looks up at the scoreboard and sees the numbers and thinks he's not helping us," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer said. "But he can change a game with one play. We don't need him to hit .300. He just needs to keep doing what he's doing."
Alcides Escobar, Cheslor Cuthbert and Lorenzo Cain added RBIs in the inning. Hosmer singled off the Green Monster, plating two more runners, one when Cain ran through a stop sign at third base.
The inning was the biggest for the Royals since they scored eight against Arizona on Aug. 5, 2014. Norichika Aoki hit a grand slam in that inning.