Boston wins again with Bogaerts’ bat
BOSTON — Xander Bogaerts kept up his powerful start that’s helped the Boston 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 Tampa Bay 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 that 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,” new 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.”
Faria gave up a career-high eight runs while getting just five outs. He only threw 34 strikes in 73 pitches.
“It’s frustrating, it’s embarrassing,” he said. “I’m in the big leagues and I can’t throw strikes to anybody.”