Red Sox have an angle
Home-field edge makes a difference in chilly opener
BOSTON — The Fenway Funhouse proved too tricky, too cold and just too much for the beach boys.
Andrew Benintendi, J.D. Martinez and the Red Sox came out swinging in the World Series opener, seizing every advantage in their quirky ballpark to beat the Dodgers 8-4 on a chilly, windy Tuesday night.
Benintendi delivered four hits, Martinez drove in two early runs and pinch hitter Eduardo Nunez golfed a three-run homer to seal it. The 108-win Red Sox got a strong effort from their bullpen after an expected duel between aces Chris Sale and Clayton Kershaw never developed.
From the get-go, Fenway Park caused all sorts of problems for the Dodgers.
Mookie Betts led off for the Red Sox with a popup that twisted first baseman David Freese around as he tried to navigate the tight foul space near the stands. Lost, he overran the ball and it dropped behind him.
Given a second chance, Betts lined a single that set up a two-run first inning.
In the seventh, left fielder Joc Pederson looked hesitant as he chased Benintendi’s soft fly, rushing toward the seats that jut out down the line. The ball ticked off his glove for a double, and soon Nunez connected to break open a 5-4 game.
The crowd and cold temperatures were no picnic for the Dodgers either.
The oddly angled ballpark became an echo chamber even before the first pitch. Chants of “Beat LA!” began early, Kershaw RESULTS/SCHEDULE got heckled with a singsong serenade and Manny Machado heard loud boos all evening.
It was 53 degrees for the first pitch, the coldest game for the Dodgers this year and quite a contrast from last season’s World Series, when the temperature reached a record 103 degrees for the opener at Dodger Stadium.