Drew Pomeranz Keeps the Sox Streak Alive

(Boston Globe)

On a Monday afternoon in which almost every fan was at work, the Red Sox took care of business to push their win streak to 4 straight games. After pitching 3 perfect innings, Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz allowed a solo shot to Indians centerfielder Rajai Davis in the 4th. This was the first of just 2 runs that Cleveland would score on the day. The Sox weren’t able to reproduce the same kind of offense they’d shown off in Sunday’s 16-2 loss. However, they were able to scrape together just enough run support to get the win with a 2 run home run by David Ortiz, and a solo shot by Jackie Bradley Jr.. Despite Craig Kimbrel allowing two baserunners in the 9th, he was able to recover and lock down the Red Sox 3-2 win.

Drew Pomeranz was DEALING on Monday. He pitched a career high 7.2 innings (the first time has has pitched into the 8th inning), allowed just 2 earned runs, and struck out 6. This is the kind of start I would like to see from David Price. The fact that our number 3 or 4 starter (depending on how you look at the Wright-Pomeranz situation) is capable of going out and giving you this kind of start to keep a win streak alive has to be a huge boost to the team. The Indians are not a bad team either. The Indians came into Monday’s game with the highest winning percentage in the American League as well as a comfortable 5 game lead in the American League Central. Today should send a message to all of Red Sox Nation saying, “Shut the hell up about Anderson Espinoza, it’s time to win now”. This is exactly what Dave Dombrowski knew Pomeranz was capable of when he pulled the trigger on this deal, and you know he’s sitting in his office today laughing at everyone who criticized him for it. It was nice to see Drew capture his first Red Sox win. Now I want to go out and see him get his second; and not take a month to do it this time.

​Following his day off Saturday while dealing with a toe injury, Jackie Bradley Jr. can suddenly hit again. After Hanley’s 2 home run game on Friday, I suggested that maybe an injury was the best way for Bradley to bust out of his slump. Since Ortiz fouled the ball off his shin, he has been making more solid contact and his batting average has raised from .307 to .312 including a 440+ foot bomb he hit on Monday. Since Hanley Ramirez got obliterated at first base by the Yankees Gary Sanchez, he has gone 5 for 12 with 2 HR’s and a double. Yes, when Ortiz and Hanley got hot after their injuries it could have just been a coincidence. However, there is an old saying: “Once is happenstance. Twice is coincidence. Three times is enemy action. -Ian Fleming”. Jackie Bradley Jr. makes it 3 times that Red Sox players battling back from injury have gotten hot. Bradley has now homered in back to back games since returning, proving that my theory is for real. Or not, but it’s been working so I’m not questioning it.

The Red Sox have now improved their win streak to 4 as they head off to Baltimore. This small 2 game series could mean a lot more than people think because it could mean a 2 game swing in the division standings. On the other hand, it could mean nothing if they split. Both pitching match-ups seem fairly even unless you want to give Chris Tillman the upper hand due to Price’s mediocre season. The only thing that’s certain is that there’s a lot of offensive firepower between the two teams. For better or for worse, we’re going to get to see the ball fly all over the park. With the Red Sox coming into the series on a hot streak, I have confidence that they may be able to out-slug and out-pitch this offensive juggernaut.

Jake Perda
@jake_perda_