Three takeaways from Red Sox’ 5-0 win over Rays: Alex Verdugo hits first Sox home run

Red Sox 5, Rays 0

Finally, the Red Sox’ prized young players had a night to remember.

Three takeaways from Wednesday night’s series finale against the Rays:

1. Alex Verdugo hit his first Red Sox home run

Replacing Mookie Betts was never going to be easy, but Verdugo’s slow start to begin his career as the new Sox’ right fielder was not what the Sox were hoping for.

Coming off invasive back surgery, it took Verdugo some time to get going this season.

Against Rays’ lefty Ryan Yarbrough, Verdugo saw back-to-back curveballs over the plate and hammered the second one out of the park for a two-run shot, his first home run in a Red Sox’ uniform.

Verdugo had seven hits, all singles, in his first two weeks with the Sox, but his timely homer on Wednesday gave the Sox’ a 2-0 run lead in the fourth inning that they desperately needed.

The 24-year-old isn’t expected to be a huge power hitter, and he was more of an average hitter with the Dodgers (in the majors and in the minors) but the Sox are hoping his power will develop in time.

It was a big lift to give the Sox’ some energy and Martin Perez an early lead.

2. Michael Chavis snapped out of his funk

We all know Chavis can hit mistakes a mile, which is what he did in the sixth inning, when he got a hanging changeup from Yarbrough and mashed it to center field for his second blast of the year, a two-run shot to put the Rays away and end Yarbrough’s day two batters later.

Until this game, Chavis has struggled to get anything going, instead, chasing pitches above and outside the strike zone with regularity.

But it wasn’t just the homer in this one. He also hit a pair of singles and appears to be getting his timing back after an ugly 3-for-21 start to the year.

He also made a little bit of history in the process.

The 5-foot-10 first baseman became just the third first baseman 5-10 or shorter to hit multiple homers in a season since 2000.

The 6-foot-4 prospect Bobby Dalbec is waiting on the taxi squad if the Sox do decide to change directions at first base, but Chavis’ big night was timely and should ensure he stays in the lineup against left-handed pitching.

He’s also got a chance to get some work in at second base, given Jose Peraza is moving around the diamond.

With Peraza starting in left field to give Andrew Benintendi a rest, Jonathan Arauz made the start at second and went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. The Rule 5 pick is 0-for-9 to start his career.

3. Martin Perez got the job done

It wasn’t pretty, with just 48 strikes on 91 pitches, and Perez routinely fell behind in the count against a patient Rays’ offense.

But Perez found a way to get it done. His junk pitches on the borders were good enough to get some weak outs and generate four groundballs, including two double plays.

After allowing seven runs (six earned) in his first two starts since signing with the Sox as a free agent, Perez picked up his first solid start with five scoreless innings, striking out four while walking three and allowing four hits.

Colten Brewer, Austin Brice, Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman looked strong in relief behind him as the Sox (4-8) split the two-game series and head home for an off-day Thursday. They’ll begin a three-game set against the Jays at Fenway Park on Friday.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3khB1GQ