Gang, I’m mad! I’m still dealing with two herniated discs, which kept me from going down to T-Mobile Park tonight and watching the Red Sox in person. That means I’m unable to commiserate with a bunch of displaced New Englanders during the very first game after the bombshell trade. Another missed opportunity for hard-hitting journalism. Sigh.
Once again, if I say anything out of line, let’s blame it on the meds.
One post-trade question was answered in the short-term: Kristian Campbell slotted in as DH, hitting from the #9 spot.
Another question may have been partially answered too, as Roman Anthony hit his first MLB home run in his first at-bat, like he’s been doing it forever. As someone wrote in our team Slack channel: Raffy who?
It was nice to see the Sox strike early, and they got another run in the third on an Abraham Toro RBI single.
Lucas Giolito cruised through the first two innings. He looked cooked when he loaded the bases in the third with no outs, but he struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam. After that, he returned to complete excellence, going on to retire nine in a row and delivering us safely to the seventh inning.
Greg Weissert shook my nerves in the eighth by issuing back-to-back four-pitch walks as he entered the game and brought the tying run to the plate. Thankfully, he escaped the jam and the bullpen handled it easily the rest of the way.
We had just enough offense to get it done. No nail-biter extra innings tonight!
Three Studs
Roman Anthony
You’ll always make this list with your first MLB home run!
Lucas Giolito
Outstanding job. He went the distance: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K.
Bullpen
They held the Mariners scoreless and chipped in for a collective 5 K. Nice!
Honorable Mention
Seattle Broadcast Team on the ROOTS network
Tip of the cap for pronouncing Worcester correctly! Thank you! Even the national FOX broadcast couldn’t do that last week.
Three Duds
Ceddanne Rafaela
In his first at-bat, he took three ugly swings as he flailed at three pitches out of the zone. He didn’t do anything after that to make me take him off this list. Hmph.
Our 4-8 Hitters
They were a collective 0-16, with 6 SO and two walks. We need more, guys.
Rafael Devers
He was hitless tonight. (Where’s the lie?! The Giants didn’t play!)
Play of the Game
Roman’s first MLB home run! What do you say we all get used to this?
