Ian Kinsler continued his hot hitting and drove in three runs Monday afternoon, part of a 10 hit attack as the Boston Red Sox cruised past the Atlanta Braves 8-2 at SunTrust Park in Atlanta in interleague action.
Kinsler got the Sox off on a good foot by doubling in a run in the top of the fifth. Christian Vazquez doubled in a run, and Mookie Betts had an RBI single in the same frame to make it 3-0 Boston. Atlanta (76-61) got within a run when Ozzie Albies hit a solo homer in the sixth, and Kurt Suzuki hit an RBI sacrifice fly in the seventh. Kinsler was back at it though in the eighth with a two run single, and then Boston (95-54) added three more in the ninth on a two run double by Xander Bogaerts and an RBI sacrifice fly from Eduardo Nunez. Kinsler and Andrew Benintendi each had two hits, while Mookie Betts, Martinez, Bogaerts, Mitch Moreland, Nunez, and Vazquez had a hit each. Johan Camargo had two of the eight hits for the Braves, who maintains a four game over Philadelphia for first place in the N.L. East.
Boston starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi pitched well for first time in four starts, getting a no decision and allowing no runs, two hits, with four walks, and four strikeouts in 3.1 innings. Brandon Workman (3-0) got credit for the win, while Joe Kelly, Ryan Brasier, Heath Hembree, and Matt Barnes all got a hold. Touki Toussant (1-1) took the loss for Atlanta, allowing three runs, four hits, two walks, with six strikeouts in 4.2 innings.
Boston is now 33-8 in their last 41 interleague games, and will look to continue their success in game two Tuesday night at 7:35. The Sox send Rick Porcello to the bump, to be opposed by Braves lefty Sean Newcomb.
