Final: Red Sox 13, Cardinals 9 - Red Sox win first game of season in Fenway Park

The Red Sox defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 13-9 in an amazing offensive performance from Boston's lineup. Every Red Sox hitter either made it on base or recorded an RBI, totaling 16 combined hits for the day.

The Red Sox got the offense started in the 1st inning where they tallied five runs off Cardinals starter Erick Fedde. Alex Bregman knocked home the first run of the game with an RBI double, and then Trevor Story and Wilyer Abreu hit back-to-back home runs.

Starter Walker Buehler pitched 5 inning allowing 7 hits and 5 runs in his first start in Fenway. At the tail end of his start, the righty allowed a three-run home run to Iván Herrera, and the Cardinals were only behind the Red Sox by one run in the middle of the game.

However, strong innings at the plate in the 5th, 7th, and 8th innings gave the Red Sox a cushion going into the ladder half of the game. Abreu, Kristain Campbell, Ceddanne Rafaela, Jaren Duran, Rafael Devers, and Carlos Narváez all recorded RBI's during this span, and the Red Sox were up 13-6 going into the 9th inning.

Cooper Criswell was unable to finish the game on the mound, as the Red Sox struggled to close out the game defensively. The Cardinals added on 3 runs in this inning, and Boston had to bring in Aroldis Chapman to finish the game.

While the ending of this game was bittersweet, this was still an amazing way to start the 2025 season at Fenway Park. All the concerns about Boston's offense from last week weren't of any concern today. Triston Casas, Devers, and Story all recorded multiple hits in the game, and there isn't much to complain about how this game went offensively. The pitching wasn't great today, but the most notable pitching performance came in the 8th inning when Brennan Bernardino struck out the side. Overall, a nice victory in front of a sold out Fenway crowd.

The Red Sox will continue their series against the Cardinals tomorrow at 4:10 p.m. with Richard Fitts on the mound.

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WHO: Red Sox vs St. Louis Cardinals
WHEN: 2:10 p.m.
WHERE: Fenway Park, Boston
SERIES TO DATE: (0-0), (0-0)
STARTING PITCHERS: RHP Walker Buehler (0-1) 8.31 ERA vs. RHP Erick Fedde (1-0) 1.50 ERA
TV/RADIO: NESN, MLB Network, WEEI-FM 93.7

LINEUPS

RED SOX

Jarren Duran (L) LF
Rafael Devers (L) DH
Alex Bregman (R) 3B
Triston Casas (L) 1B
Trevor Story (R) SS
Wilyer Abreu (L) RF
Kristian Campbell (R) 2B
Carlos Narváez (R) C
Ceddanne Rafaela (R) CF

SP Walker Buehler

CARDINALS

Lars Nootbaar (L) LF
Willson Contreras (R) 1B
Brendan Donovan (L) 2B
Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
Alec Burleson (L) DH
Iván Herrera (R) C
Jordan Walker (R) RF
Victor Scott II (L) CF
Masyn Winn (R) SS

SP Erick Fedde

WHAT'S UP

The Red Sox take on the St. Louis Cardinals in their home opener at Fenway Park.

Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle will skip Low A and begin his professional career at High-A Greenville.The 6-foot-6, 270-pound lefty, who Boston drafted in the second round in 2024. He has yet to make his pro debut.

 Kristian Campbell had an amazing road trip. He started his MLB career 10-for-24 (.417 batting average) with a .500 on-base percentage, .833 slugging percentage, 1.333 OPS, two home runs, four doubles, six runs, four RBIs, four walks and five strikeouts in seven games.