Red Sox Strut: Third baseman Rafael Devers, LHP Chris Sale
By Sean Penney
Position Player who gets to Strut
Rookie third baseman Rafael Devers is busting out of a brief slump with a strong week in which he went 7-for-17 (.412) at the plate.
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Devers was given a day off last Monday and limited to pinch-hitting duties the following day. The rest allowed the 20-year old to recharge his batteries near the tail end of the longest season of his professional career. He responded by collecting seven hits over the next three games, including a pair of doubles.
The highlight of his week was a 3-for-3 performance Friday night. Devers doubled to lead off the fourth, igniting a lineup that chased Tampa Bay Rays starter Chris Archer from the game before he could record an out in that inning. Devers would score the first of five runs for the Red Sox that inning, allowing the team to cruise to victory.
The power has dried up following a torrid start in which Devers blasted eight home runs in his first 20 career games. He hasn’t gone deep since August 19 against the New York Yankees and is slugging a mere .414 so far in September. Devers has shaken off the first slump of his career to start piling up hits again, so the home run power is sure to follow soon.