BOSTON — Instant reactions from the Red Sox‘ 4-3 win over the Rays here at Fenway Park on Wednesday.
1) Rookie Marcelo Mayer crushed his first Fenway Park home run in the second inning to put Boston ahead 2-1. He went deep again in the fourth inning, making it 3-1.
The 22-year-old rookie hammered both blasts to right field. The first one went 418 feet and left his bat at 108.7 mph. The second one went 410 feet with a 104.9 mph exit velocity.
2) As Mayer wore the Wally head in the dugout — as all Red Sox players do to celebrate their home runs — pitcher Lucas Giolito kissed both cheeks.
“Marcelo and I developed a little bit of a bond when I was going through my rehab outings, so I give him a couple kisses on the cheek for the home run,” Giolito told NESN during an in-game interview. “If he puts up 20 — we’re already in June so he’s got some work to do — but if he puts up 20 I’ll have a nice gift for him at the end of the year.”
3) The Red Sox improved to 34-36. The Rays dropped to 36-32. Boston took the three-game series, 2-1.
4) Abraham Toro belted his fifth homer since being promoted May 3. It went 408 feet to center and put Boston ahead 4-3 in the fifth inning after the Rays had tied the game on Yandy Diaz’s two-run home run in the top of the inning.
5) Starter Walker Buehler pitched 7 innings and allowed three runs, six hits and one walk while striking out seven.
6) Shortstop Trevor Story made a sensational defensive play in the sixth inning. He ranged to his right deep into the hole to field Junior Caminero’s 102.9 mph groundball and made a jump throw to first base to get Caminero by a step.
7) Catcher Carlos Narváez caught both runners who tried to steal against him. He threw out José Caballero trying to steal third base for the second out of the eighth inning.
8) With the bases loaded, Greg Weissert blew a 94.4 mph fastball by Matt Thaiss to strike him out swinging to end the eighth inning. Weissert pumped his fist as he walked off the mound.
9) The Red Sox have Thursday off. They begin a three-game series against the Yankees on Friday at Fenway Park. Ace Garrett Crochet is scheduled to pitch for Boston. New York has not yet announced its starter.
