The Boston Red Sox need more out of their starting pitching if they are going to make a late season run towards the postseason. Eduardo Rodriguez gave them plenty in a 9-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.
Rodriguez allowed only two infield hits in seven shutout innings. He allowed four walks and struck out six.
Twice this season, a #RedSox starter has recorded an out in the seventh inning in three straight starts.
Both streaks belong to Eduardo Rodriguez,
— Jon Couture (@JonCouture) July 23, 2019
The Red Sox bats exploded for seven runs in the third inning. JD Martinez, Andrew Benintendi, and Sam Travis each homered during the outburst.
Benintendi hits his first HR since June 10 — a stretch of 114 at bats (the longest drought on the team.)
Travis makes it back-to-back with a HR of his own. His first since Friday.#RedSox lead 7-0 in the 3rd.— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) July 23, 2019
Martinez had four RBI, while Rafael Devers drove in a pair. Benintendi had three hits, while Martinez, Xander Bogaerts, and Marco Hernandez had two each.
The Red Sox and Rays will play game two of the three game series on Tuesday night at Tropicana Field at 7:10 PM. Chris Sale and Yonny Chironos is the scheduled pitching matchup.
Andrew Benintendi (shown here from a game earlier this season) had three hits in a 9-4 Red Sox win over the Rays on Monday night. Photo courtesy of Delaney Gardner
