#RedSox Game Summary (August 5) Welcome to the Red Sox

Tony Renda, who had played 34 games for the Cincinnati Reds in 2016, and spent 2017 in AAA, signed with the Red Sox as a free agent, and was called up shortly before this game. His first assignment: a full introduction to the Red Sox – Yankees rivalry. How? He became a pinch runner for Sandy Leon at 2nd base with 2 out in a tie game in the 10th inning. So, how did he do? Well, he scored the winning run on a single by Andrew Benintendi. Not bad. David Price started this game for Boston, and fared pretty well against the New York Yankees, pitching 6 shutout innings, allowing 3 hits and 2 walks while whiffing 5. In the 7th, however, he allowed a single to Brett Gardner and a walk to Austin Romine, which earned his departure. On came Heath Hembree, and after Aaron Hicks reached on an error by Xander Bogaerts, which also allowed 2 runs to score, Giancarlo Stanton drove in a 3rd run with a single. Hicks scored on a sac fly, and the Red Sox were in a 4-1 hole. The one Boston run had come on a solo bomb clear over the Monster by Mookie Betts off Yankee starter Masahiro Tanaka. But in the 9th, the never-say-die Red Sox faced Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman, against whom they have had some success in the past. In this case, 3 walks loaded the bases for JD Martinez, whose single drove in 2 runs. A throwing error by Miguel Andujar allowed another run to tie the score, delivering a blown save to Chapman. Matt Barnes held the line in the top of the 10th, and in the bottom of the inning, with 2 out, Sandy Leon singled, Mookie Betts walked, and Alex Cora sent in Renda to run for Leon. Benny was the walk-off hero in this one, but what an inauguration for Renda into what it means to be a member of the Red Sox! By the way, not to be a downer, but we should remember that the Yanks are struggling with injuries to JA Happ, Aaron Judge, and Gary Sanchez. Believe me, in September they will be a much tougher club. But for now, let’s relish this! Boston beat New York, 5-4 in 10 innings, at Fenway Park. Record: 79-34. Game 113/49.