Mitch Moreland hit a solo homer in the seventh inning and the Red Sox pitchers combined to throw a three hitter as they held off the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.
The win helped the Red Sox finish a disappointing 3-8 road trip to start the season. The bullpen and Moreland were the positives throughout the trip and they did it again on Sunday.
Sometimes all you need is nine innings of the Red Sox bullpen and Mitch Moreland. Pour me a glass of #DirtyWater. pic.twitter.com/iMDrFDdwST
— Austin J. Eich (@Eich_AJ) April 7, 2019
Hector Velazquez got a spot start and allowed only one hit while striking out three in 3 scoreless innings. It is a starting staff that has struggled to an ERA of 8.71 through 11 games.
Who would have thought that Hector Velasquez would give the Red Sox their best start of the year…
— anthony chiarenza (@avchiarenza) April 7, 2019
Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless fourth inning. Marcus Walden who was just called up from triple A Pawtucket on Saturday came in and pitched two scoreless innings. Walden (1-0) allowed one hit and one walk while also striking out one.
Two fast, scoreless innings from Marcus Walden, who was called up from Pawtucket yesterday.
The most random arms are playing better ball than everyone you’d expect.
— Gabrielle (@gfstarr1) April 7, 2019
Moreland led off the seventh with a blast that landed over the fence, just out of the reach of Diamondbacks right fielder Adam Jones. Moreland had clutch hits in each of the Red Sox victories on the road trip.
Sox would probably be 0-11 right now if not for Mitch Moreland
— Jim Wyman (@jimwyman10) April 7, 2019
Matt Barnes pitched two perfect innings with two strikeouts. Ryan Brasier allowed one hit in the ninth inning to lock down his second save. Workman, Barnes, and Brasier didn’t allow any runs during the road trip.
While the #RedSox pitching staff has been horrendous overall through these first 10 games, three of their relief pitchers have been lights out.
Ryan Brasier, Matt Barnes and Brandon Workman have allowed 0 runs through 10.1 IP with a .091 BA against. @RedSoxCLNS
— Nick Quaglia (@NickQuag) April 7, 2019
The Red Sox will play their home opener against the Toronto Blue Jays at 2:05 PM on Tuesday. The pregame festivities including the World Series ring ceremony is scheduled to start at 1 PM.
