Rich Hill allowed one hit in seven innings, striking out 10 and walking just one. In 2015. In the major leagues. What a world we live in.
Top Play (WPA): The top play in this one, of course, was Rusney Castillo’s one-out single with the bases loaded in the top of the 13th. Castillo’s knock scored Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts, and would prove to be the decisive play of the game. It was a nice moment of redemption for Castillo, who was caught stealing in the fourth inning.
The next best places came courtesy of Travis Shaw, Steven Sousa and Deven Marrero, but seeing as none of them led to scores there’s nothing terribly exciting to note here.
Bottom Play (WPA): In the bottom of the 12th, James Loney grounded into a double play with John Jaso on base and one out. That ended the Rays’ threat, and allowed for Castillo’s heroics the next half inning. Pedroia’s own GIDP in the eighth takes second place here, and Pedroia’s ground out with two on and two out in the 10th is the third-worst mark. Pedroia has had better days, though he *did* collect two hits.
Key Moment: Castillo’s single, of course, though Loney’s GIDP, Tommy Layne striking out Joey Butler with two on in the 12th and Pedroia’s ground out in the 10th felt really big, too.
Also, let’s give credit where credit is due: the Red Sox bullpen pitched great last night. That’s a real sentence we can say in 2015.
Trends to Watch: Rich Hill, man. Rich Hill. Trends are meaningless.
Coming Next: The Red Sox head to Baltimore to take on Kevin Gausman and the Orioles. Eduardo Rodriguez will get the start for Boston, so this should be a good game for those of you who enjoy young pitching.
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