Devers delivers finishing flourish
Well, at least Rafael Devers got to finish his remarkable season on a remarkably high note.
On a day when the Red Sox were eliminated once again from the American League Division Series, at least their promising rookie concluded a postseason debut with an unforgettable exclamation point to a fantastic series.
Devers’ leadoff insidethe-park home run in the ninth inning of yesterday’s 5-4 loss to the Houston Astros seemingly was going to be the last spark the offense would need to overcome a two-run deficit, but instead it was the last gasp. The shot off Astros closer Ken Giles was to slightly left of center field, and George Springer crashed into the wall as he leaped for a catch he could not make. The ball bounced far away from the center fielder toward right, and by the time left fielder Marwin Gonzalez slid to retrieve it, Devers already was being waved home by third base coach Brian Butterfield.
“Just looking at Butter, the third base coach, he was waving me around and then I figured that I’d be able to score, and then when I looked back and saw that no one was really near the ball, that I was going standing up, then I knew I was going to get there,” Devers said.
For the four-game series, Devers hit .364 with a team-high two home runs and a team-high-tying five RBI. And the third baseman didn’t even start Game 2, when manager John Farrell thought the left-handed hitter might struggle against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel.
In the aftermath of the ALDS loss, Devers did not seem that despondent. Being 20 years old and finding immediate success can do that to you. He earned the smile he wore.
Devers’ unique home run was the first to come in the ninth inning or later in a postseason game, he was the first rookie to hit such a home run in the postseason and he joined Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle and Jimmie Foxx as the only American Leaguers to homer in consecutive postseason games before turning 21.
“It’s a great feeling for me, but at the end of the day, I’m just focused on giving 100 percent of myself when I go out there,” said Devers, who hit .284 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI in 58 regular-season games. “I think every atbat, with every swing that I take, I try to give 100 percent. Yeah, I’m one of the few that have done it. That’s cool. I’m going to take that and be proud of it.”
Devers expressed gratitude for the opportunity the Red Sox gladly gave him. Next up is turning 21 and preparing for his sophomore season with the Red Sox.
“Basically just get ready for next season, work out, basically get in form so I can help the team win a championship next year and have something for us similar to what happened this year,” Devers said.