So, what could Ortiz say after hitting career homer No. 504, a two-run shot in the ninth inning against Indians reliever Trevor Bauer? The last pitcher to win his Red Sox debut as an Opening Day starter was Pedro Martinez in 1998. The Boston Red Sox can win the 2016 World Series title for many different reasons whether its their new ace, their new bullpen, the consistency of their veteran guys and the experienced young players that they have.
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“It’s the beginning of the season”, Ortiz told reporters in Cleveland.
“When the lights go, Papi goes on”, Ortiz said with a smile. Price was untouchable in five of the six innings he pitched and Kluber gave up four runs in five-plus innings.Cleveland scored two runs on four hits in the fourth inning.
Fresh off a third last-place finish in four years, the Boston Red Sox went out over the winter and did something they refused to do the previous winter by shelling out big money for a free-agent starting pitcher.
David Ortiz has taken Mookie Betts under his wing since the latter debuted with the Boston Red Sox in 2014. It’s a sight Indians manager Terry Francona has seen many times before.
“He’s smart and he’s risky”.
“Superstar man, superstar, ” Ortiz said.
“Needed it, needed it”, Price said. “I know what he did at the end of the season”. He’s saving it all for the season.
“I think we can use him really any way we want”, Francona said.
Indians ace Corey Kluber was tagged with the loss.
Amid pointed criticism for the team’s decision to postpone Monday’s season opener because of cold weather, Antonetti said the Indians had little choice to call the game because of the unseasonable weather, a worsening forecast and the potential for unsafe field conditions. He will get his second start of the season on Sunday vs. White Sox.
“No signs of David slowing down based on the way he swung the bat today”, Red Sox manager John Farrell said.
Carrasco in 201 for the Tribe went 14-12 with a 3.63 ERA.In 183.2 IP he allowed 75 runs, 74 of them earned, struck out 216 and walked 43.
The Sox would take a 2-0 lead two batters later, when Betts sent a 1-1 offering from Kluber over the left-field wall with Jackie Bradley Jr. on first base. The team now has a solid centerfielder and shortstop for many years to come. He hit a solo shot last season in a win at Philadelphia. Ten times the Indians stepped up to the plate and were sent back to the dugout with three strikes. He struck out six and easily handled a Cleveland lineup missing its best hitter, injured outfielder Michael Brantley. Ortiz also started at DH on opening day for the 13th time, passing Don Baylor (1977-88) for the most starts at that spot.
The lanky Buchholz became a household name amongst Sox fans after throwing a no-hitter at Fenway Park against the Orioles as a rookie.
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Kluber lost 16 games last season, when the Indians wasted so numerous right-hander’s performances because they didn’t hit or score. Remember, the Red Sox beat the Philadelphia Phillies, 8-0, behind the pitching of Clay Buchholz in the first game of 2015. Kluber threw 96 pitches for five strikeouts and nine hits.
