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It wasn't looking good.
David Price had pitched 'better' (4.2, 4 ER, 4 BB, HR), but he had just given up a two-run home run, resulting in a 4-2 deficit. However, the resilient
Carmine Hose loaded the bases on
Gerrit Cole in the third inning, when
Jackie Bradley, Jr. launched one of the biggest hits of his career. His opposite-field, wall-ball double skimmed along the tiny shelf in left (seemingly
forever) allowing three runs to score and giving Boston a lead it never relinquished in
the ultimate 7-5 win. The benighted bullpen (
often criticized on this site) performed
brilliantly—going 4.1 innings and
giving up just one hit (although
Craig Kimbrel delivered yet another cardiac save).
Mookie Betts also delivered key blows in the contest—two doubles (one delivering a key late RBI and the other leading off the game). He also produced a
"MookieRun" around the bases—with a walk and three advancements on passed balls/wild pitches.
Rafael Devers also came up big—both in the field and with a 2-3 night at the plate (knocking in one and scoring two).
Andrew Benintendi helped get things going in the first by knocking in Betts with the first run of the game. There's no question this was a must win situation for Boston. The victory evened the series at 1-1, and means the Red Sox now just need to win
one game at
The Juice Box in Houston to bring the series back to Fenway.