All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 7-3 win over the Tigers, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
BOX SCORE
HEADLINES
Benintendi, Betts get things started: For much of this week, Alex Cora has remarked that "the line is moving'' when it comes to the team's offense. And for that, he can credit the top two guys in his batting order -- leadoff hitter Andrew Benintendi and Mookie Betts. On Wednesday night, they combined to get on base five times and scored four times. On Thursday, they got on base five more times and scored twice while also knocking in two. "That's what we envisioned -- those two guys at the top of the lineup, doing what they did today,'' said Cora. "They keep doing that, getting on base, getting base hits and keep putting pressure on people.'' Over the last 18 games, Benintendi has reached base safely in 17 with a .418 on-base percentage. Cora believes he can maintain a .400 OBP for the season. As for Betts, he took a while to adapt to the second spot in the order, but feels he's getting there. "It was a little weird initially,'' said Betts, "but I think we're kind of settled in now. It's a lot of fun (when Benintendi in on base). If you hit a ball in the gap, you know he's going to score from first.''
Devers showing signs: The numbers may not suggest a great start for Rafael Devers -- he doesn't have a homer yet in 26 games -- but Cora believes Devers is ready to break out. Devers swatted a double to left with two and two on in the third, one of the biggest hits from the lineup Thursday night. It marked his second go-ahead hit in as many games, producing four runs, and he's hit safely in seven of his last eight games at a .346 (9-for-26) clip. "He hasn't hit the ball in the air yet,'' said Cora. "But his on-base percentage (.365) is way up and he's controlling the strike zone. It means he's seeing the ball well. Today was the first day that he was able to do that. It's going to come. If he stays with the approach, great things are going to happen. The home runs are not there and the extra-base hits are not there. As long as he controls the strike zone, he's going to be in good shape.
Chavis looks like he belongs: Rookie infielder Michael Chavis has adapted nicely in his first week in the big leagues. After supplying a huge pinch-hit in his debut Saturday and then cranking his first homer Tuesday night and reaching base four more times Wednesday night, Chavis has been on a roll. In the second inning Thursday night, he drove a slider from Jordan Zimmermann off the light tower above the Monster Seats, giving the Sox a quick 2-0 lead. Between Pawtucket and Boston, Chavis has hit six homers in 18 games this season. He got thrown a backdoor slider by Zimmermann, which he missed. When Zimmermann tried it again, Chavis connected. "Honestly, I saw the first one well - I just missed it,'' said Chavis. "The second one, I did the same approach, same swing, just tried to put a good swing on it. I didn't try to do too much with hit and caught barrel.''
TURNING POINT
After the Red Sox saw their 2-0 lead disappear in the top of the third, the Sox counter-punched just as quickly, erupting for three more runs of their own and never looked back from that point.
ONE UP
Rick Porcello: The pitching line may have looked rather pedestrian, but Porcello picked up his first win of the year by giving the Sox six solid innings.
ONE DOWN
Mitch Moreland: A rare off night for one of the Red Sox hottest hitters so far -- he was 0-for-3 (with a walk) and ended three different innings by either hitting into a double play (first inning) or stranding baserunners (fourth and sixth).
QUOTE OF NOTE
"I enjoy all of my home runs, honestly. Like, I might try and act like I'm cool, but inside, I'm doing jumping jacks.'' Michael Chavis.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- The Red Sox are 6-1 when leading after six and 7-0 when leading after seven.
- Sandy Leon cracked a double in the sixth for his first hit of the season.
- J.D. Martinez has hit safely in 24 of the Red Sox' 26 games this season.
- Xander Bogaerts has reached base in 11 straight games and 21 of the last 22.