Boston brewin’
Bogaerts’ slam powers Sox to 7th straight win
Xander Bogaerts kept up his powerful start that has helped the Red Sox get off on a fast run.
On Saturday, a few more bats in the lineup joined in, too.
Bogaerts hit the first grand slam by a Boston player since the end of the 2016 season and drove in a career-best six runs to carry the Red Sox to a 10-3 win over the ay Rays for their seventh straight victory.
“He’s been an unbelievable hitter every year,” winning pitcher Rick Porcello said. “Now he’s doing it with power. He’s a big threat at the plate. He always had that ability.”
In addition to his slam, Bogaerts drove in two runs with his seventh double in eight games.
J.D. Martinez hit his first home run since signing a $110 million, five-year contract during spring training as a free agent. Rafael Devers also connected.
This is just the second time in franchise history the Red Sox have lost their season opener and won the next seven. The other came in 1904 when Boston captured the AL pennant.
“We’ve been on and off. We know we’re a good offensive team,” manager Alex Cora said.
“We can do that often. We feel we have a good offensive team. It’s just a matter of time,” he said.
The Rays have lost seven straight and are off to their worst start ever after rallying for a win at home over the Red Sox on opening day.
“Nobody’s happy we’re 1-7,” manager Kevin Cash said.
Tampa Bay infielder Daniel Robertson pitched a perfect eighth with a two flyouts and a popup, throwing seven strikes in 11 pitches.
Porcello (2-0) gave up three runs and six hits, striking out seven without allowing a walk over 7 ¹/3 innings.
He retired 20 of 21 batters — and 17 in a row — after giving up two runs in the first.
Bogaerts’ two-run double helped erase a 2-0 deficit during a four-run first.
In the second, his second career slam completely left Fenway Park over the Green Monster and came after Jake Faria (0-1) walked the bases full to make it 8-2.
“I really don’t think he wanted to throw me an offspeed [pitch] right there,” Bogaerts said. “I think the cold may have bothered him a little. I think he was a little bit erratic.”
Astros 1, Padres 0
In Houston, four-time Gold Glove first baseman Eric Hosmer overran a towering popup with two outs in the 10th inning, allowing the ball to fall without being touched and giving the Astros a bizarre win.
A single by Brian McCann and a steal by pinch runner Derek Fisher — ruled safe after a video review flipped the call — set up the unusual ending.
Alex Bregman hit the pop and Hosmer, signed to a rich free-agent deal by the Padres, ran in to make the play.
But with reliever Phil Maton and third baseman Christian Villaneuva staying out of the way, Hosmer suddenly realized he was in trouble and had no chance to catch it. The ball plopped onto the grass a few feet behind him, between the plate, mound and first base.
Cubs 5, Brewers 2
In Milwaukee, Ian Happ hit a tiebreaking two-run single during Chicago’s four-run ninth, helping the Cubs to rally.
With one out and the bases loaded, Happ dumped a 0-1 pitch from Jacob Barnes into left-center to give the Cubs a 4-2 lead.
After Kris Bryant was intentionally walked, Jon Lester hit for reliever Pedro Strop. Lester got down a sacrifice that drove in Ben Zobrist from third for the final run.
Royals 1, Indians 0
In Cleveland, Lucas Duda homered off Trevor Bauer for the game’s only run, and Ian Kennedy pitched six shutout innings to lea the Royals.