Boston Red Sox: 3 clutch performers in Game 65 win over White Sox
The Boston Red Sox got back in the win column on Saturday with what has had them on top of the league all season long, solid pitching and clutch hitting.
If you look up the word clutch in association with the Boston Red Sox, you’ll see that man with the big smile and electric swing named David Ortiz. Look it up in 2018 and J.D Martinez will come to mind.
Back in the lineup after missing Friday night’s game due to back soreness, Martinez showed just how valuable he is in the Red Sox lineup. The slugger launched his league leading 21st homer of the season to help get Alex Cora’s crew back in the win column following a couple tough defeats.
The two-run blast broke a 2-2 tie, eventually giving the Red Sox a 4-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on a perfect June afternoon at Fenway Park.
A name and face that doesn’t come to mind when you think of clutch performers with the Red Sox is one David Price.
Lately, this man has been doing his thing on the mound. In holding the White Sox to just two runs, Price delivered his seventh win of the season.
Along with the two runs, he gave up just five hits and three walks over six innings. His six strikeouts were proof that he had command of all his pitches throughout the afternoon.
In throwing just 86 pitches (56 for strikes) and appearing to still have his strength, Cora decided the six innings were good enough for his left-handed starter.
"“He did a good job when he started mixing up his changeups and started using the fastball in and he gave us six,” Cora said following the game, as transcribed by the Boston Herald. “I felt where we were in the bullpen it was good enough, and if it were a different situation he would probably go seven.”"
Overall, it was a good win for the Sox. Solid pitching, timely hitting along with some great defense from Andrew Benintendi in the outfield were the ingredients for a good after noon of baseball in one of America’s most historic ballparks.