Recap
In the first inning, with two baserunners due to walks, Willson Contreras whaled a no-doubter to left and the Sox never looked back.
The Sox had steady traffic on the bases, working some long at-bats and drawing six walks, three of which led to runs. They also benefitted from being hit by pitches (twice – Anthony Seigler’s contortions in the sixth made me worry for his back) and a fielding error. The four-run fifth inning really broke it open, with a long, two-run double by Abreu and Romy González’s first homer of the year. The Sox offense proved it had staying power in the eighth, as three Sox players (Andruw Monasterio, Connor Wong, and Ceddanne Rafaela) notched their first hits of the evening. That left only Caleb Durbin without a hit.
In the early innings, Gray didn’t appear to be his usual rock-solid self. There was an early mound visit from Andrew Bailey and a sinker that didn’t sink in the third that buzzed the batter’s helmet and knocked him down. However, Gray needed only six pitches that inning and settled down. Ultimately, he allowed only four hits. That’s how a veteran grinds it out.
The Sox continue their recent trend of early offense, and have a chance at a sweep tomorrow.
Studs
Power
Contreras started things off with a three-run homer and Romy González showed the Sox what they’ve been missing with a two-run homer. There were also three doubles, two of which drove in runs.
Smart At-Bats
The Sox did a good job, with almost everyone contributing in some way: working long at-bats, taking walks, and getting on base through two HBP and an error. Special mention to Anthony Seigler and Wilyer Abreu, who both scored twice. Between them: 3 BB, 4R, two doubles, 1 HBP.
Jarren Duran
Defensively, he had an impressive diving grab in the first inning. Offensively, he found different ways to get on base via a couple of walks and a hit-by-pitch, and once he was on, he stole two bases. 2 BB, 1HBP, 2 SB.
Sonny Gray
It looked like it was going to be a battle but he settled down and showed how’s it done. Final line: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 7 SO.
Duds
Caleb Durbin
He was the only Sox player without a hit tonight, but most of his contact was in the air and he successfully challenged a strikeout in the ninth. Not his night, but we’re a far cry from his early struggles.
Play of the Game
Easy. Contreras’s first-inning home run.
