Hanley has right answer
Homer stirs up emotions
As he raced out of the batter’s box after his drive to center field, there was a little more pep in Hanley
Ramirez’ step. When he crossed home plate, there was a little more emotion, too.
Ramirez has been the subject of criticism this week after missing three straight games with an injured left knee. He’s heard the critics, or, at least, been made aware of them, and he vowed Wednesday that he would play better.
Last night, in the Red Sox’ 6-3 series finale victory over the Minnesota Twins, the designated hitter made a statement with his sixth-inning solo homer. But it wasn’t a statement to those critics, or anyone else.
“To myself,” Ramirez said. “Sometimes you have to push yourself to the limit.”
He pushed it all right. His blast, his 11th home run of the season, measured 410 feet to dead center, and he was noticeably pumped as he met teammates at home plate.
“He’s huge in the middle of the lineup, so we’re going to need him,”
Mookie Betts said. “He’ll be there when we need him. I’m positive of that.”
Last year, Ramirez’ bat heated up during the second half of his breakout season. He and his teammates are hopeful that last night’s homer might be a sign of the same things to come.
“He’s a very, very vital part to our team, and he’s gonna be just fine,”
Jackie Bradley Jr. said. “Last year, his second half he caught fire, so I don’t think we’ll expect anything less, so Hanley’s gonna be just fine.”
Ladder interference
Bradley and Ramirez were involved in a rare play, one that could only happen at Fenway Park.
In the fifth inning, the Sox trailed 3-1 and were trying to mount a rally. Ramirez led off with a walk, and Bradley followed with an oppositefield hit toward the Green Monster. But in a weird twist, the ball tagged the ladder that hangs on The Wall. Instead of bouncing back, the ball
Pedroia rests up
The Red Sox held Dustin Pedroia out with minor left knee soreness. But it was just precautionary, manager John Farrell explained.
“We’ve got to monitor just how (he) reacts to some consistent play with the left knee, and to try to stay ahead of it as best possible,” Farrell said. “He went through a number of treatments here this morning as well as this afternoon and we thought dropped to the dirt below. The quirky play allowed Ramirez to score from first with ease.
“I saw it make an awkward stop, like I saw it coming down and I saw it stop,” Bradley said. “First time I’ve ever seen that.”
The play also allowed Ramirez to test his ailing left knee.
“I felt it a little bit,” Ramirez said of his knee. “I got the trainers to work on it a little bit in the tunnel after, but after that everything was fine.” it was best to try to stay ahead of things.”
E-Rod gets knocked about
The hope was for Eduardo Rodriguez to pitch one rehab start as he returns from his knee injury. But he may need another.
Rodriguez struggled for Double-A Portland last night, allowing six runs on nine hits in three innings. He made 69 pitches, 46 for strikes, against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Rodriguez was spotted in the Red Sox clubhouse after last night’s game. He’ll fly with the team to Toronto, where the team will make a determination on if he needs another rehab start. ...
Rusney Castillo, who’s had a breakout campaign with Pawtucket, was named an International League AllStar. The outfielder is hitting .311 with an .844 OPS. Left-handed pitcher Edgar Olmos was also selected to the team.