3 takeaways from the Red Sox 5-1 win over the Athletics
By Matt McCarthy, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Red Sox picked up back-to-back wins, topping the Athletics 5-1 Tuesday night at Fenway Park.
W: Rick Porcello (2-3)
L: Aaron Brooks (2-3)
Here are three takeaways from the win:
1. Porcello dominates:
Rick Porcello turned in arguably the best outing by a Red Sox starting pitcher this year, tossing eight shutout innings. The righty allowed just two hits, walked two, and struck out seven. He threw 114 pitches, 78 for strikes.
2. Home runs power victory:
The Red Sox got on the board in the first inning as Mookie Betts continued his hot stretch:
There he goes again... 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OzdAhctQxy
— Red Sox (@RedSox) April 30, 2019
After a slow start to the season, Betts has seen his average rise to .295. He now has six home runs in 2019 and has his OPS hovering around .900. The MVP is back.
Mitch Moreland would find the seats three innings later:
A swing of beauty. pic.twitter.com/Yw8WL7YE8V
— Red Sox (@RedSox) May 1, 2019
3. Jackie Bradley Jr. stays cold:
Bradley turned in yet another 0-for-4 night and saw his average dip to a putrid .148, good for the third-worst mark in Major League Baseball.
It’s fair to wonder just how much longer Alex Cora can justify playing Bradley on a daily basis.
Up next:
The Red Sox and A’s wrap up their series with a getaway game Wednesday at 1:05 pm. Hector Velazquez (0-2, 3.86 ERA) will take the ball against right-hander Mike Fiers (2-2, 7.03 ERA).
You can hear Matt McCarthy on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s own Hardcore Baseball podcast and on various 98.5 The Sports Hub programs. Follow him on Twitter @MattMcCarthy985.