6. Sandy Leon hits walk-off home run vs Pittsburgh, saves Chris Sale’s Red Sox debut.
This game was the first memorable moment of the 2017 season.
It was the opening week of the season, and it was also the debut of Chris Sale, the Red Sox big off-season acquisition. To say this game was a pitchers duel is an understatement.
Chris Sale went 7.0 innings, allowing only three hits. He struck out seven in the game and gave up one walk. Jameson Taillon was every bit as good for the Pirates, however. He went 7.0 innings giving up five hits, striking out six, and allowing three walks.
This game was scoreless for 11.5 innings until the bottom of the 12th when Sandy Leon finally broke things open, giving Boston their second straight win to open the year.
Leon came up with Jackie Bradley and Pablo Sandoval on base, and then he launched one onto the Monster, giving the Red Sox a 3-0 win.
Leon’s home run did not give Sale the win, but it helped shine a bright light on the night. Had the Red Sox lost in extras, that would have been a sub-par debut. But the home run was the highlight of what should be a big night in Red Sox history.
The next game was an extra-inning game, but it lasted much longer. Let’s check it out at number five.