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Hunter Renfroe’s heroics draws huge praise from Red Sox (Video)

Hunter Renfroe was the hero for the Red Sox on Wednedsay night, with a go-ahead home run and game-saving defensive play. Here’s how the team reacted.

Sep 8, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) and third baseman Rafael Devers (11) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 8, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox right fielder Hunter Renfroe (10) and third baseman Rafael Devers (11) celebrate after defeating the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

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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Matt, a North Andover, Massachusetts native, has been with The Sports Hub since 2010. Growing up the son of Boston University All-American and Melrose High School hall-of-fame hockey player Steve Dolloff, sports was always a part of his life. After attending Northeastern University, Matt focused his love of sports on writing, extensively writing about all four major Boston teams. He also is a co-host of the Sports Hub Underground podcast and is a regular on-air contributor on the Sports Hub. Matt writes about all New England sports from Patriots football to Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins.