Whatever John Farrell told his team after Monday’s loss, it worked.
One day removed from the Boston Red Sox manager’s team meeting following a brutal loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Farrell’s players responded to the challenge, earning an 8-2 win at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.
Starting pitcher Rick Porcello allowed just one run over six innings, while Travis Shaw had a huge five-RBI night to help end Boston’s three-game losing streak.
Here’s how it all went down.
GAME IN A WORD
Rebound.
A strong outing from Porcello and a big night from the bats was just what the Red Sox needed after Monday’s debacle.
IT WAS OVER WHEN…
The Red Sox tacked on a trio of insurance runs in the seventh.
Hanley Ramirez hit an RBI single and Travis Shaw laced a two-RBI double down the right field line to extend Boston’s lead to 6-1.
ON THE BUMP
— Porcello put forth a gritty outing, averting disaster in one rough inning but otherwise keeping the Rays’ bats quiet. The right-hander inexplicably lost control in the fourth, surrendering three walks and walking in a run with the bases loaded, but retired three consecutive batters to prevent further damage.
Despite that 39-pitch inning, Porcello pitched six frames, allowing one run on five hits while walking three and striking out eight batters.
— Junichi Tazawa allowed a solo homer to Rays shortstop Brad Miller in the seventh.
— Koji Uehara needed just 11 pitches to retire Tampa in order in the eighth. He also recorded a strikeout.
— Matt Barnes struck out a batter in a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Shaw was the offensive star of the night, going 3-for-5 with a team-high five RBIs. He started the scoring with a monster solo homer in the second. He also smacked a two-RBI double in the seventh and laced a two-RBI single to left in the ninth.
— Hanley Ramirez reached base in all five of his plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with three walks (one intentional) while scoring a run and tallying an RBI single in the seventh.
— David Ortiz went 2-for-4 with a run scored and drove in his third run in as many games with an RBI double in the third.
— Jackie Bradley Jr. had a 2-for-5 night, scoring a run and tallying an RBI on a fifth-inning double.
— The heart of Boston’s order did all the damage, as the No. 3 through No. 6 batters combined for nine hits and drove in all eight of Boston’s runs.
— The bottom of the lineup didn’t fare well after its strong night Monday. Bryce Brentz, Christian Vazquez and Marco Hernandez went a combined 0-for-13 with seven strikeouts.
TWEET OF THE NIGHT
If only it was that easy.
(late Monday night, visitors' clubhouse, Tropicana Field)
John Farrell: Pitch better
Starting rotation: Why didn't you say so before— Brian MacPherson (@brianmacp) June 29, 2016
UP NEXT
The Red Sox and Rays will close out their series Wednesday with a matinee at Tropicana Field, with first pitch set for 12:10 p.m. ET. David Price gets the start against his former team opposite Rays left-hander Matt Moore.
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
