SEATTLE (AP) — Mitch Moreland began warming up with swings in the Boston clubhouse around the fifth inning. Manager Alex Cora nearly used Moreland as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning but thought it would be better to wait.
Good choice.
“When you get to that situation or think you might be in it, you try to prepare the best you can and be ready for it when it comes,” Moreland said.
Moreland connected for a three-run homer in the ninth inning and the World Series champion Red Sox rallied for their first win of the season, beating the Seattle Mariners 7-6 on Friday night.