All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 6-1 over the Padres, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Rafael Devers leads Red Sox offense: Devers crushed two home runs off Padres starter Blake Snell, driving in four RBIs in the process pacing the offense. He would connect for his 12th homer of the season in the top of the second and later would add a mammoth three-run blast to deep center field.
James Paxton was terrific: Paxton was impressive in his second start in a Red Sox uniform. Coming off a stellar performance against the Cardinals last Friday, Paxton followed that start by tossing 6 innings only allowing one earned run, giving up five hits and striking out five.
Fernando Tatis Jr. tattoo’s sixth home run: The Padres right fielder collected two hits off Paxton, including a solo homer in the third inning. Tatis Jr.’s home run had a 108 mph exit velocity and traveled 415 feet for the Padres' only run scored by the Padres in the game.
TURNING POINT
Snell was not sharp after starting out strong in the first inning throwing 14 pitches and striking out two batters. The first inning looked like Snell was going to dominate the Red Sox lineup. That was not the case and once Devers (2-for-4, 2 HR) hit his first home run, the lefty struggled.
TWO UP
Josh Winckowski: Earned his second career save working three scoreless innings in relief of Paxton. Winckowski has excelled in his role out of the bullpen, his last 18 appearances have come in relief.
Rob Refsnyder drives in two runs: Refsynder smashed a two-run double during the third-inning rally that scored Verdugo and Connor Wong. He finished the game 1-for-3 with a double.
TWO DOWN
Xander Boagerts held hitless: Bogaerts went 0-for-4 against his former team, striking out once and he is now hitting under .200 for the month of May. Alex Verdugo robbed Bogaerts of extra bases when he made a spectacular diving catch in the fifth inning.
Pablo Reyes and Triston Casas no show: Reyes (0-for-4) and Casas (0-for-3) went hitless against the Padres. The new Red Sox infielder had been scorching hot at the plate since being acquired from the Athletics last week. Casas entered the game in the third for Justin Turner who left the game with left knee soreness. The Florida native hasn’t gotten a hit in his last six games and is now hitting .183 on the season.
QUOTE OF NOTE
“Hopefully, he doesn’t hit any homers. … Listen, that’s a dangerous guy, especially when he's in that box. He’s truly one of a kind.” - Bogaerts pre-game.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
- Boston has scored 27 runs over the past three games after only scoring 20 runs in their previous seven games.
- Red Sox starting pitchers have tossed at least five innings in 21 of their last 22 games, which includes each of their last eight games.
- After Friday night’s offensive surge, the Red Sox have scored five or more runs in 27 games trailing the Rays for most in the majors with 28.
- Kike Hernández extended his hitting streak to three games after collecting a hit in the win (1-for-4).
UP NEXT
Game 2 of the 3-game series will feature Chris Sale who will make his second career start against the Padres. His only start came when he was a member of the White Sox organization, he tossed a complete game, yielding two hits, one earned run and struck out nine batters.