All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox' 8-5 win over the Rays, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Costly errors for Kike Hernández: The Sox shortstop committed two errors in the win. With two runners on and two outs in the second, Hernández rolled a throw to second base on a potential inning-ending groundout. The error allowed Harold Ramírez to score. The error also set up a Yandy Díaz two-run double that gave the Rays a 3-0 lead. After Hernández committed another throwing error (his 13th miscue of the season) in the third, Tampa Bay went up 4-0 in the fifth on a Ramírez sacrifice fly.
Garrett Whitlock tossed 4 1/2 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs, two walks and struck out five batters. He retired eight of his last nine batters after allowing a two-run double in the second inning. Whitlock has now struck out five or more batters and allowed four runs or fewer in three of his last five starts.
TURNING POINT
Behind a six-run sixth inning, the Red Sox erased a 4-1 deficit to defeat the Rays 8-5 in game one of the doubleheader. Boston grabs their first win of the season against the Rays after they were swept in four games earlier this season at Tropicana Field.
The Sox' six-run sixth inning was started after Hernández reached first after grounding to shortstop. With one out and one on, Reese McGuire worked a four-pitch walk and Pablo Reyes singled a line drive into right field cutting the Rays lead in half, 4-2.
With two outs, Rafael Devers walked that loaded the bases for Justin Turner who tattooed the Green Monster for a bases-clearing double. Masataka Yoshida followed with an RBI double and Jarren Duran provided an RBI single to put the Sox up by three runs.
UP
Season high: Turner had a season-high three RBIs in the win. This was the first time the veteran had three or more RBIs in a game since last season, when he had five against the Padres. Turner has now recorded multiple hits in back-to-back games for the sixth time this season (last: 5/16-17 vs. SEA).
Alex Verdugo with a big game: The Sox right fielder went 3-for-5, with a double and two RBIs. He hit an RBI single in the fifth inning to get the Sox on the board. Verdugo also added an RBI double in the seventh inning, extending Boston’s lead to 8-5. He now has 19 multi-hit games this season, second most on the team behind Yoshida who has 22.
Corey Kluber impressive: Kluber worked one inning of relief, he tossed six pitches and earned the win. This was the first time Kluber pitched in relief since 2013. The veteran righty last pitched in a game for the Sox two weeks ago in San Diego. He also threw a side session this week while on Paternity Leave, Alex Cora told the media pregame.
DOWN
Triston Casas scuffling: Casas went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in the win. The Sox' young first baseman has been struggling mightily at the plate, he is just two for his last 19 with eight strikeouts.
Josh Winckowski: Winckowski gave up an earned run off three hits in his one inning of relief. Despite the one run, he has posted a 1.93 ERA in his last five games out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Saturday Game 2: RHP Kutter Crawford (1-2, 3.52 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Glasnow (0-0, 6.23 ERA)
Sunday: RHP Tanner Houck (3-4, 5.30 ERA) vs. RHP Taj Bradley (3-2, 3.60 ERA)
Monday: RHP Brayan Bello (3-3, 3.89) vs. TBD