Pedroia had a grand slam and a solo homer, Ortiz passed Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Jimmie Foxx on the extra-base hits list and Boston beat Atlanta 9-4 on Wednesday night even as the Braves ended their 15-game homerless stretch.
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ATL 3 BOS 1 – Top 2nd: Buchholz continued to struggle against the anemic Braves offense early in the game, yielding three runs to the bottom of Atlanta’s lineup.
When the Red Sox hit at least one home run, they are 7-5.
Freddie Freeman added three singles and a walk for the Braves. Ironically, it was only once the disgusting Arodys Vizcaino entered the game that the Sox managed to push a run across, but Xander Bogaerts grounded out, and the game was over. The righty was unable to pitch a hitless inning allowing another run in the 6th. Bogaerts would have had a shot at scoring on the next pitch, as Hanley Ramirez ripped a single to right field, plating Pedroia. Reliever Carson Smith, out since the start of the season with a strained right flexor muscle, is expected to work two games with Double-A Portland and could be activated next week. Peterson walked on a full count. With two outs, Markakis delivered an RBI single.
Red Sox manager John Farrell and hitting coach Chili Davis discussed Pedroia’s adjustments before Thursday’s game at Fenway Park. Daniel Castro was able to advance Markakis to third base with a groundout to second base, as Dustin Pedroia made a nice spin before throwing to first base. The Red Sox have one of the most prolific offenses in the entire AL, averaging 0.0 runs per game. Bogaerts did not notice that he was safe at second, and started retreating back to the dugout. After loading the bases with two singles and a walk, Pedroia hit a slicing fly ball that caromed high off the Pesky Pole, making it 6-1.
The right-hander last faced the Red Sox in 2013 while with Colorado, giving up seven runs in four innings of a 15-5 defeat. It was only the third home run in eight games for the Orioles, who have scored just five runs in their last four games. Dylan Bundy blanked the White Sox for two innings, and T.J. McFarland took care of the ninth as the Baltimore bullpen threw 4 1/3 shutout innings in relief of starter Tyler Wilson.
Dating back to last season, Wright has pitched at least 5 innings and allowed 2 runs or fewer in each of his last seven starts, the longest active streak in the majors.
Todd Frazier homered for the White Sox.
Travis Shaw had a career-high five RBI Tuesday, and is tied for the team lead with 14 RBI this season (with Mookie Betts and David Ortiz). In the bottom of the eighth inning, Pedroia connected with another home run, but this time, he hit it over the Green Monster.
The White Sox quickly jumped in front when Frazier belted a two-out, two-run homer in the first.
The double was one of “Big Papi’s” three on the night, and all three were historic. Davis tried to score from first but shortstop Jimmy Rollins gunned him down on a relay from short center.
“Not give up five runs?”
Markakis led off the game with a double, then singled in a pair of runs in a three-run third, when Smith had an RBI double.
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Steven Wright was victorious for the Red Sox, while Bud Norris picked up the loss.
