Sox get opening day lift from rising star
Fenway faithful go home happy after Benintendi’s three-run shot beats Bucs
Boston — The Red Sox bid farewell to a legend at the end of last season. This season opened with a big day for one of their rising stars.
Rookie Andrew Benintendi hit a three-run homer that capped a fiverun fifth inning, and the Red Sox began their post-David Ortiz era by beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 in Monday's opener.
Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello (1-0) gave up three runs and six hits in 6.1 innings while striking out five. Craig Kimbrel retired Starling Marte on a game-ending popup with two on for the save.
"That was awesome," Benintendi said. "We're all excited to start playing games that actually matter. It was a fun experience." What manager John Farrell said has impressed him most about 22-year-old during his short time in the majors is the lack of panic. Benintendi homered on a 98 mph fastball on a 2-2 count.
"He sees the ball extremely well and has a true understanding of the strike zone," Farrell said. "A pretty special young player."
Playing the team it beat in the first World Series in 1903, Boston opened against a National League opponent for just the second time.
Gerrit Cole (0-1), the first overall pick in the 2011 amateur draft, gave up five runs and seven hits in five innings.
Cole said he threw a 2-2 pitch to Benintendi to strike him out looking in the first inning. He tried the same offering in the fifth.
"Obviously, he was not going to let that get by him again," Cole said.
Ortiz retired after last season after helping the Red Sox win three Series titles, their first since 1918.
Even without Ortiz, there was still plenty of pageantry at Fenway Park.
The ceremonial first pitch was at-
tended a quintet of members Super Bowl champion New England Patriots headlined by MVP quarterback Tom Brady, who made the toss. They were joined by owner Robert Kraft and all five of the franchise's Lombardi trophies.
It may have brought the hometown team some good luck.
Boston had only two hits before Jackie Bradley Jr.'s two-out triple to right in the fifth. He scored the first run after Pablo Sandoval beat out a sharp grounder to shortstop Jordy Mercer.
Sandy Leon bunted his way on, Sandoval scored on Dustin Pedroia's line-drive single up the middle and Benintendi homered.
Porcello allowed only three hits through six innings.
Trainer’s room
Red Sox: LHP David Price (left elbow) is still working on increasing his throwing distances and is set to throw again today . ... Manager John Farrell said RHP Tyler Thornburg (right shoulder) is still isn't throwing.
Big Plays
Along with his homer, Benintendi had what might have been a game-saving catch in seventh inning. Trailing 5-2 in the seventh, the Pirates had the bases loaded when Starling Marte hit a hard liner to left. But Benintendi was able to haul in a running, over-the-shoulder grab to limit the damage to a run, with Josh Harrison scoring from third on a tag up.
Bradley Jr. also had a nice running catch against the bullpen wall in the fourth inning to go along with his triple in the fifth to start the rally.
"I think it gave us some momentum. It was a little bit of a spark," Farrell said of Bradley's grab.
Historical notes
Pittsburgh lost its first opening day game vs. an AL opponent. The Pirates are 71-60 in 131 openers, including 55-45 in 100 road openers. They fell to 7-6 against the Red Sox during the regular season.
Up next
Pirates: RHP Jameson Taillon is on the hill Wednesday after the series' takes an off day Tuesday. He has a 5-4 record and 3.38 ERA in 18 starts with the Pirates.
Red Sox: LHP Chris Sale makes his Boston debut Wednesday after being acquired in an offseason trade with the White Sox.