Charlie Morton got the ball in the top of the first inning and Jarren Duran struck out swinging to start. Rafael Devers walked and Alex Bregman clobbered his first home run of the season to put the Sox on top. Triston Casas took strike three and Trevor Story struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox up 2-0.
First for Bregman
The O's wasted no time responding in the bottom of the first against Houck as Cedric Mullins led off with a home run to Santo Domingo to cut the lead. Adley Rutschman singled to right but Jordan Westbrug grounded into a double play. Ryan O'Hearn struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's down 1-0.
The Sox struck again in the top of the second when Wilyer Abreu walked to start. Kristian Campbel jacked his second home run of the season to increase the lead. Carlos Narvaez struck out swinging, Ceddanne Rafaela popped up to first and Duran struck out swinging to end the inning with the Sox ahead 4-1.
Tyler O'Neill flied out to center to start the bottom of the second before Heston Kjerstad went down hacking. Jackson Holliday flied out to left to end the inning.
Devers struck out swinging to start the top of the third before Bregman also swung at air. Casas got a base hit to left but Story flied out to left to end the inning. Ramon Urias struck out swinging to start the bottom of the third before Dylan Carlson took strike three. Mullins walked and stole second before Rutschman walked as well. Westburg singled to center to score Mullins but O'Hearn struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's down 4-2.
The Sox answered in the top of the fourth as Abreu singled to right to start. Campbell got a base hit to center but Narvaez flied out to center. Rafaela got a base hit to center to load the bases and Duran hit a sac fly to left to score Abreu. Devers flied out to center to end the inning with the Sox up 5-2.
The O's responded in the bottom of the fourth as O'Neill flied out to right to start. Kjerstad doubled to left then moved to third on the grounder to first by Holliday. Urias singled to center to score Kjerstad to cut the lead. Carlson struck out swinging to end the inning with the O's down 5-3.
Morton turned up the heat in the top of the fifth as Bregman was called out on strikes to start. Casas and Story both went down hacking to end the inning. Mullins was hit with a pitch to start the bottom of the fifth and Sox manager Alex Cora had enough of Houck. Tanner was ineffective today, allowing 3 runs in just 4 plus innings of work. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks. Zack Kelly came in and got Rutschman to ground into a double play. Westburg grounded out to third to end the inning.
Bryan Baker came in to pitch the top of the sixth and Abreu struck out swinging to start. Campbell grounded out to third but Narvaez singled to right. Rafaela grounded into a double play to end the inning. Justin Wilson came in to pitch the bottom of the sixth and O'Hearn grounded out to second to start. O'Neill struck out swinging and Ryan Mountcastle pinch hit for Kjerstad. Mountcastle doubled to left but Holliday grounded out to short to end the inning.
Keegan Akin came in to pitch the top of the seventh and Duran lined out to left to start. Devers flied out to left and Bregman doubled to left. Casas then smashed his first home run of the season to ice the game. Story popped up to first to end the inning with the Sox ahead 7-3.
Justin Slaten came in to pitch the bottom of the seventh and Urias got a base hit to left to start. Carlson took strike three and Mullins flied out to center. Rutschman grounded out to first to end the inning.
Matt Bowman came in to pitch the top of the eighth and Abreu flied out to left to start. Campbell grounded back to the mound and Narvaez grounded out to second to end the inning. Garrett "The Lock" Whitlock came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth and Westburg walked to start. O'Hearn struck out swinging but O'Neill forced Westburg at second. Mountcastle struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Sox got another run in the top of the ninth as Rafaela was retired on a squibber in front of the plate to start. Duran lined out to right but Devers got a base hit to center. Bregman doubled to right to score Devers but Casas grounded out to short to end the inning with the Sox up 8-3.
The Lock returned to close out the bottom of the ninth but Holliday doubled to left to start. Urias grounded out to short to move Holliday to third and Jackson scored on the sac fly to left by Carlson. Mullins took strike three to end the game. The Sox had won it 8-4.
Hero of The Night is Alex Bregman. He got the party started with a 2 run bomb and added another rbi for good measure.
The Good:
Triston Casas was 2 for 5 with a 2 run home run.
Wilyer Abreu was 1 for 3 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
Kristian Campbell was 2 for 4 with a 2 run home run.
Zack Kelly got the win with a scoreless 5th inning.
Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless sixth inning.
Justin Slaten pitched a scoreless seventh inning.
The Bad:
Trevor Story was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts.
Tanner Houck got rocked for 3 runs in just 4 innings. He allowed 5 hits and 2 walks while striking out 6.
The Ugly:
Jarren Duran was 0 for 4 with 2 strikeouts but drove in a run.
Rafael Devers was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout but walked and scored 2 runs.
Carlos Narvaez was just 1 for 4 with a strikeout.
Ceddanne Rafaels was just 1 for 4.
Garrett Whitlock allowed a run in two innings of work.
Final Thoughts:
Its about time the bats busted out. When at the top of their game, this could be a deadly offense with Devers, Abreu, Story, Bregman, Casas and Duran. It would be unfair to expect Campbell to keep up this pace but if he does, the balance of power might have shifted in the AL East. Houck looked like Schmidt in this one so can't blame Cora for yanking him in the fifth inning. Still, he needs to pitch better because the Sox can't afford to burn out the bullpen by July for the fifth year in a row. Still, it was good to see Bregman and Casas go deep, maybe that'll get them back on track. Going 3-4 to start the season isn't ideal but they've been in every game so far. The Sox now come home for their opener tomorrow afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals. Walker Buehler (0-1, 8.31 ERA) takes on Erick Fedde of St. Louis. The game begins at 2:10 PM at Fenway Park.
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