Unlike the last two games when the Red Sox waited until the late innings to crack and reveal their glaring weaknesses on depth and defense, they imploded early tonight. How nice of them to get it over with quick!
The first six consecutive plate appearances had some shade of negativity for Boston, while offensively they managed just three hits all night.
Here’s the sequence that put them in an early hole for good:
- Anthony Rendon singles to start the game.
- Tanner Houck hits Nolan Schanuel on a 1-0 pitch.
- David Hamilton and his disastrous defense at shortstop make an early appearance as a potential double play ball is thrown high and away from second base.