Red Sox Recap: Henry Owens out-duels Johnny Cueto for his first Fenway win
By Sean Penney
Aug 9, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Josh Rutledge (30) at bat against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Alcides Escobar led off the 6th inning with a solo shot to straight away center field. It was only the third homer of the year for Escobar, which came on a fastball over the plate on a 3-1 count. Yet just when you think the Royals are starting to chip away at the lead, the Red Sox open the flood gates again. Josh Rutledge is making a name for himself as the Cueto Crusher, picking up his second hit of the game on a two-run homer over the Green Monster to put Boston ahead 7-2.
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Boston battered around Cueto, who surrendered a season-high 7 runs (6 earned) and allowed a career-high 13 hits. Hopefully this nightmare at Fenway Park doesn’t dissuade Cueto from considering a move to Boston when he hits the free agent market this winter.
Jackie Bradley, Jr. replaced Ramirez in left field to start the 8th inning and immediately made his mark with an outstanding diving catch. Safe to say Ramirez wouldn’t have gotten to that one. It remains a mystery why someone as gifted with the glove as Bradley is would be stuck on the bench behind a defensive disaster like Ramirez. Boston’s excuse is that they need Ramirez’s bat in the middle of the lineup. The problem with that is that Bradley has been tearing it up at the plate this month, while Ramirez has gone ice cold.
Owens was dominant in picking up his first career win at Fenway against the team with the best record in the American League, out-dueling Kansas City’s prized mid-season acquisition, who now leads their staff. The Red Sox continue their recent dominance over the Royals, moving to 4-1 this season against the best team in the league.
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