While Derek Jeter made one last memory for the old guard at Yankee Stadium, the Red Sox launched a new generation at Fenway Park on Thursday night, smashing the Rays, 11-1.
The offensive star of the night was rookie backstop Christian Vazquez, who went 4-for-4 and launched his first Major League home run, a two-run shot, in the second inning. He later added an RBI double.
Cuban import Rusney Castillo had his first career extra-base hit in the form of a three-run homer in the third inning. He later added a double.
Keeping the theme of doubles going, rookie Mookie Betts also had an RBI double.
Rookie Bryce Brentz had an RBI single, and rookie Garin Cecchini brought in a run when he reached on an error. Yoenis Cespedes collected an RBI on a fielder’s choice, and Daniel Nava‘s RBI sac fly in the first got the scoring started for Boston.
Allen Webster (5-3) was tremendous in his 11th start of the season, closeing 2014 on a good note. The righty delivered seven solid innings of one-run baseball, scattering seven hits while striking out five and walking just one batter. The only visible damage was Ben Zobrist‘s RBI single in the second.
Boston pasted Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (1-5), who yielded eight hits and six runs (five earned) in just two and 1/3 innings.
Koji Uehara pitched a clean ninth for Boston.
The Red Sox will entertain the New York Yankees at Fenway Park starting tomorrow night. Steven Wright (0-0, 3.38) opposes Chris Capuano (2-4, 4.67) in the first game. First pitch is at 7:10 PM.