Red Sox Strut to Betts and Porcello
By Rick McNair
Aug 29, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox pinch hitter David Ortiz (34) hits a double in the ninth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. The Red Sox defeated the Mets 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
Position Player:
Travis Shaw put the muscle on in Chicago with a home run that gave the Red Sox a win. But that was about it for Shaw who simply has not hit on the road with the same authority he does at Fenway.
Rusney Castillo had a huge game in Chicago knocking in all five runs which was part of a three hit night that included a home run and double. After that Castillo did little to enhance his Strut opportunity.
David Ortiz got a step closer with career home run’s number 493 and 494 against the Mets. Ortiz also chipped in with a pitch hit double off rotund Bartolo Colon in the Saturday win against the Mets. Ortiz finished the week with the pair of home runs, three RBI and a .200 (3-15) average.
Catcher Blake Swihart had an inside the park home run and some good at bats for the week. Swihart also had a big plus on the defensive end by catching Kelly’s impressive win in New York.
Waiting for Jackie Bradley to crash and burn looked like it may have happened in New York on Saturday with the old JBJ racking up three strikeouts. But on Sunday he banged out an RBI pinch hit double. Bradley also had a huge home run on Friday night. Bradley finished the week, hitting .267 (4-15).
The hitting streak ended at nine games for Xander Bogaerts on Saturday, but it started right back up on Sunday. Bogaerts has become a maestro at using the whole field with special emphasis of going to RF. What a difference a year makes. Nothing flashy with a .333 (8-24) for the week, just the usual consistency.
Hitting for the cycle for the week was Mookie Betts. A pair of doubles, a triple, a home run, and a few singles tossed in, and hit .286 (8-28) for the week by getting a hit in each game of the road trip. Mookie also had five runs scored and stole a base. This is becoming a typical Betts performance and another Strut for Mookie.