Sox Subdue Pirates For Opening Day Win
Jim Monaghan
Contributing Writer
Rick Porcello pretty much picked up where he left off in 2016 - pitching into the 7th inning as the Red Sox topped the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 on Opening Day at Fenway Park.
The reigning American League Cy Young Award winner (pictured) allowed three earned runs on six hits over 6.1 innings, walking just one while striking out six.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning.
With two out, Jackie Bradley Jr. tripled off Pirates starter Gerrit Cole. Pablo Sandoval beat out an infield hit to score JBJ, Sandy Leon reached safely on a bunt, and Dustin Pedroia singled to drive in Sandoval.
Andrew Benintendi slammed a three-run homer to right center to make it 5-0.
Xander Bogaerts and Leon each had a pair of hits for Boston.
Craig Kimbrel earned his first save of the season with a scoreless 9th inning, punctuated by two strikeouts.
David Ortiz, who retired after the 2016 season, sent a message to the team via his Twitter account.
Porcello made the first Opening Day start of his career and his first since his senior year of high school at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange NJ.
Click here to find more by Jim Monaghan on Red Sox Life. Follow him on twitter - @Monaghan21.
Contributing Writer
Rick Porcello pretty much picked up where he left off in 2016 - pitching into the 7th inning as the Red Sox topped the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 on Opening Day at Fenway Park.
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| Photo courtesy of the Providence Journal |
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning.
With two out, Jackie Bradley Jr. tripled off Pirates starter Gerrit Cole. Pablo Sandoval beat out an infield hit to score JBJ, Sandy Leon reached safely on a bunt, and Dustin Pedroia singled to drive in Sandoval.
Andrew Benintendi slammed a three-run homer to right center to make it 5-0.
Xander Bogaerts and Leon each had a pair of hits for Boston.
Craig Kimbrel earned his first save of the season with a scoreless 9th inning, punctuated by two strikeouts.
David Ortiz, who retired after the 2016 season, sent a message to the team via his Twitter account.
Good luck guys.... give red sox nation what they deserve 💪🏿 pic.twitter.com/AQZrbWpmKK— David Ortiz (@davidortiz) April 3, 2017
Porcello made the first Opening Day start of his career and his first since his senior year of high school at Seton Hall Prep in West Orange NJ.
Click here to find more by Jim Monaghan on Red Sox Life. Follow him on twitter - @Monaghan21.
