Hunter Renfroe was the big hero for the Red Sox on both sides of the baseball on Wednesday night. The right fielder hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, then rocketed the game-saving outfield assist in the ninth to preserve a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Renfroe also had an outfield assist in the fourth inning, and the game brought him to 16 total. According to Red Sox Notes on Twitter, he has already passed Dwight Evans for the most assists by a Red Sox right fielder since the 1961 expansion.
Naturally, Renfroe’s Red Sox teammates and coaches were impressed by his all-around effort.
“It’s tough to run, stop, catch the ball, plant, throw all the way to third, and on the money. It was just unbelievable,” said starter Nathan Eovaldi, who hurled seven shutout innings for a tough-luck no-decision (via MLB.com).
“You see Hunter getting there and he made an outstanding throw, and the tag by Bobby. It was a huge play,” said Manager Alex Cora. “I mean, big swing, big throw. What he’s done for us this season, it’s been amazing. It was fun to watch.”
Renfroe is up to 27 home runs and an .837 OPS in 124 games on the season. He’s closing in on a new career-high in homers, with 33 as his current best.
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