As for the game, way to go Eduardo Rodriguez (11-7,4.88 ERA). After the Sox desperately needed a win yesterday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Rodriguez shut out the Rays to inch the Sox closer back into the AL East race. E-Rod tossed 6 shutout innings while allowing just 4 hits and a walk to keep the Rays off the board. The Sox got to Rays starter Shane McClanahan for four runs, two of which were knocked in by Bobby Dalbec. Garrett Richards pitched in with 3 shutout innings to lock the game down and the Sox came away with the much needed victory 4-0 at Tropicana Field.
The Sox wasted no time getting to McClanahan in the top of the first inning as Hunter Renfroe singled to right to start. Kyle Schwarber took strike three and JD Martinez lined out to center. Rafael Devers singled to left and Bobby Dalbec singled to right to bring home Renfroe. Christian Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 1-0.
Rodriguez began his dominance in the bottom of the first as Randy Arozarena grounded out to second to start. Nelson Cruz struck out swinging and Wander Franco grounded back to the mound to end the inning.
The Sox got another run in the top of the second inning as Danny Santana walked to start. Jack Lopez dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move Santana to second but Jonathan Arauz struck out swinging. Renfroe ripped a base hit to left to score Santana with another run. Schwarber struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.
Yandy Diaz grounded out to third to start the bottom of the second before Manny Margot flied out to left. Brandon Lowe struck out swinging to end the inning.
Martinez got a hit just past McClanahan to start the top of the third but Devers banged into a double play. Dalbec struck out swinging to end the inning. Mike Zunino singled to right to start the bottom of the third but Jordan Luplow banged into a double play. Taylor Walls struck out swinging to end the inning.
Vazquez flied out to right to start the top of the fourth before Santana grounded out to short. Lopez took strike three to end the inning. Rodriguez matched McClanahan by getting Arozarena to ground out to first to start the bottom of the fourth. Cruz popped up to second and Franco grounded out to short to end the inning.
Arauz walked to start the top of the fifth but Renfroe popped up to short. Schwarber singled to left and Martinez got a base hit to left to score Arauz with another run. Devers struck out swinging but Dalbec got another rbi single to center to score Schwarber. Vazquez struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 4-0.
Diaz struck out swinging to start the bottom of the fifth but Margot beat out a roller to short. Lowe struck out swinging and Zunino flied out to right to end the inning.
Adam Conley came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Santana walked to start. Lopez flied out to center but Santana got thrown out trying to steal second. Arauz walked but Renfroe flied out to center to end the inning. Rodriguez returned for one final inning in the bottom of the sixth and Luplow struck out swinging to begin. Walls singled to center but Arozarena flied out to right. Cruz grounded out to third to end the inning.
Schwarber singled to right to start the top of the seventh before Martinez was rung up for strike three. Devers struck out swinging and Shawn Armstrong was brought in to face Dalbec. Dalbec watched strike three go by to end the inning. Garrett Richards came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Franco walked to start. Joey Wendle ran for Franco and Diaz singled to center. That was it for E-Rod who blanked the Rays for 6 plus innings while striking out six and allowing just 4 hits. Garrett Richards came in and Margot struck out swinging, then Lowe took strike three. Zunino flied out to center to end the inning.
Rodriguez was dominant
Vazquez grounded out to short to start the top of the eighth before Santana struck out swinging again. Lopez lined out to right to end the inning. Luplow popped up to third to begin the bottom of the eighth before Walls took strike three. Arozarena walked but Cruz grounded out to third to end the inning.
JP Feyereisen came in to pitch the top of the ninth and Arauz grounded out to first to start. Renfroe hit one up the elevator shaft and Schwarber grounded out to short to end the inning. Richards returned to close out the bottom of the ninth and Wendle squeaked a base hit past second to start. Diaz struck out swinging and Margot forced Wendle at second. Lowe flied out to right to end the game, the Sox had won it 4-0.
Hero of the Night is Eduardo Rodriguez. He tossed 6 plus shutout innings allowing 4 hits and a walk while striking out 6.
The Good:
Hunter Renfroe was 2 for 5 with an rbi and a run scored.
Kyle Schwarber was 2 for 5 with a run scored.
JD Martinez was 2 for 4 with an rbi.
Bobby Dalbec was 2 for 4 with 2 rbis.
Danny Santana walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.
Jonathan Arauz walked twice in four plate appearances and scored a run.
Garrett Richards earned the save with 3 shutout innings.
The Bad:
Christian Vazquez was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Jack Lopez was 0 for 3 with a strikeout.
The Ugly:
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Final Thoughts:
That was a much needed win and it gives the Sox some needed momentum as the month of September begins. The Sox have 26 games to make up ground with Tampa and the New York Yankees. Not only did E-Rod pitch one of his best games of the season, Garrett Richards saved the bullpen with his performance. The offense was balanced and Dalbec having Schwarber light a fire a under his ass has been helpful as well. Only thing now is to get Xander Bogaerts back healthy because Jack Lopez isn't going to cut it for crucial September games. Beating the Rays two straight could be the tonic they needed to jump start them. Hopefully the rest of the rotation can follow E-Rod's lead. The win improved the Sox to 77-59, 8 games behind the Rays for first place in the AL East. The Sox now come home for a weekend series with the Cleveland Indians. Nathan Eovaldi goes for the Sox up against Cal Quantrill of Cleveland. The game begins tomorrow night at 7:10 PM at Fenway Park.
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