How massive is this sweep victory at Camden Yards? It feels like it makes up for the two-game reverse sweep at Fenway Park during the Telethon last week. Thursday’s matchup was definitely a battle, with Crochet finding himself in a few jams which he either got out of or got help to get out of.
These are the games the Red Sox need to win to keep themselves in the division race. The forthcoming series agains Pittsburgh and Oakland are also prime examples of games against lesser competition that they need to take advantage of in order to stay afloat in not just the AL Wildcard, but the AL East division race. Yes, it’s late August and the division is still absolutely ripe for the taking.
It takes wins like these to make it happen. Let’s keep on keeping on.
Trevor Story (1-for-4, 1 R, 1 RBI, solo HR)
A solo homer to take the lead early? You bet. Multiple defensive web gems to help out Garrett Crochet? Absolutely. What a spectacular game for Story.
Roman Anthony (2-for-3, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K)
Roman’s contributions with the bat don’t go unnoticed at all. A few hits of his own, drawing a walk in the 8th—and somehow advancing on a ground ball to first base—all to come home and score the game-winning run on Romy Gonzalez’s RBI single.
Steven Matz (1.0 IP, 1 H)
Gotta keep Aroldis Chapman fresh down the stretch, on comes…Steven Matz? OK! His second career save? You betcha!
HONORARY: Jhostynxon Garcia (1-3, 1 K)
Congrats on the first big league hit for The Password!
Alex Bregman (0-for-4, 1 K)
Nate Eaton (0-for-4, 1 K)
Carlos Narvaéz (0-f0r-4, 2 Ks)
For Bregman, just a case of the bat going cold after being white hot in New York. For Eaton…why is he here? Was it just a rest day for Duran? For Narvaéz, this is par for the course in the second half of the season. As long as his glove is still as strong as it is, I can overlook it. For now.
This double play in the 5th inning felt so pivotal for Crochet to get out of another jam and keep this game tied. Story was off his feet to make the play and I was on mine screaming at how impressive it was.
