Boston Red Sox Sink Pirates After Five-Run Fifth Inning Outburst

After a four-inning pitcher’s duel, the Boston Red Sox exploded for five runs in the fifth inning for an Opening Day 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

For the third year in a row, the Boston Red Sox begin the season with a 1-0 record.

Rick Porcello looked good in the win, allowing three runs over 6.1 innings with a walk and five strikeouts. Pittsburgh Pirates ace Gerrit Cole matched Porcello over the first four innings, allowing no runs and striking out two, before the Red Sox offense woke up with two outs in the fifth.

The bats connected for six hits in a row, led off by a Jackie Bradley, Jr. triple. Bradley scored on an infield single by Pablo Sandoval, who advanced to second on a sneaky bunt with a defensive shift on by Sandy Leon and scored on a Dustin Pedroia single.

Rookie outfielder Andrew Benintendi then made his mark by delivering a three-run homer into right field. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Benintendi’s homer was a historical one:

The Pirates threatened in the seventh inning, scoring five runs and knocking Porcello out of the game after Josh Harrison delivered an RBI single. The already depleted Red Sox bullpen turned to Matt Barnes, who allowed one inherited runner to be driven in by Jordy Mercer and loaded the bases.

More from Boston Red Sox

• 3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox
• MLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return
• Red Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive Win
• Mookie Betts Has Humble Outlook on Returning to Fenway
• Alex Cora Reveals What He Said to Cause NSFW Response from Justin Verlander

Another run scored on a sacrifice fly, though it could have been worse if not for a leaping catch by Benintendi. Barnes eventually got out of the jam and the bullpen settled in to finish off the win with Robby Scott and Heath Hembree setting Craig Kimbrel up for his first save of the season. In classic Kimbrel fashion, he allowed the potential tying runs to reach base before getting Pittsburgh slugger Starling Marte to pop out in foul territory.

Bradley added a tremendous running catch in center field early in the game and Leon easily threw out his first attempted base-stealer of the season.

The Red Sox as a whole were relatively clean defensively, though Sandoval committed a throwing error in the fifth inning that ultimately led to nothing. Cole, meanwhile, had to deal with right fielder Andrew McCutchen struggling to control the ball that led to Bradley’s triple, as well as the frustration of allowing a bunt hit with the infield shifted. He was forced out after the fifth inning, after allowing the five runs over seven hits.

The Pirates bullpen managed to hold the Red Sox in check over the final four innings, but it was too little too late. Each member of the Red Sox batting order, except for Mitch Moreland, recorded at least one hit over the afternoon with Leon and Xander Bogaerts being the only ones with two hits.

The victory was a good sign for Porcello, who is attempting to follow up his Cy Young winning 2016 season with a similar performance. An Opening Day win proves that Porcello has what it takes to pitch on a big stage, which will be crucial for any hope the Red Sox have to play October baseball again this year. He suffered minor control issues in his final inning, going high and inside twice to Francisco Cervelli and once to Harrison, but the bullpen managed to hold it down for the win.

Sandoval showed encouraging signs as well, considering fans were unsure what to expect. He appeared engaged and motivated throughout the whole game, in which he went 1 for 4 with the RBI single and a run scored. Sandoval also looked disappointed with himself after making his fifth inning error; the error itself is not great, but the reaction from Sandoval shows that he does care about being the best player he can be for this Red Sox team.

Next: Red Sox Nation: 5 ‘What If’ Questions Heading into 2017 Season

The Red Sox and Pirates get back to work on Wednesday at 7:10 PM. Chris Sale will be making his highly anticipated  Boston Red Sox debut, while Jameson Taillon toes the rubber for the Pirates to begin his sophomore season.