All you need to know about the Red Sox’ 10-3 win over Baltimore in quickie fashion, with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Hector Velazquez looks solid: Exactly the sort of performance you want out of a spot starter. The 29-year-old righty was sharp for most of his five-inning effort, allowing six hits and a pair of earned runs while striking out five. The only time he was remotely threatened was in the fifth, when he yielded a double to Anthony Santander and a two-run homer to Pedro Alvarez. Other than that, he was solid, including an excellent second inning where he struck out the side. (In eight career appearances at Fenway, he's now 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA.) You like to think you’re going to get stellar outings from the likes of Chris Sale and David Price, but if Boston can get positive starts from back-of-the-rotation guys like Velazquez, the Red Sox will be tough to beat this season.
Terrific threesome: Of course, it helps when you’re pitching with a cushion right out of the gate. The trio of Andrew Benintendi (hitting second), Hanley Ramirez (third) and J.D. Martinez (fourth) provided all the offense the Red Sox would need -- they went a combined 7-for-15 with five runs scored, two doubles, two homers and eight RBI. Martinez and Ramirez blasted homers and Benintendi added a pair of run-scoring hits. If this group is able to stay locked in and healthy all season long, they're going to wear out opposing pitching staffs.
Keep 'em coming! ? pic.twitter.com/z4g6UuhYfk
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018
That didn't take long. pic.twitter.com/EvZGRTBeSp
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 14, 2018