Aug 11, 2021; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) watches the ball after hitting a three-run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the eighth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The Red Sox needed a game like Wednesday’s so badly.
At least, until Phillips Valdez came in to pitch.
But we’re not going to talk about that! We’re going to pretend his ERA did not go from 3.82 to 5.56 in one inning, because the Red Sox scored 20 runs! And they pulled off a much-needed win in spectacular fashion (minus the crash landing in the ninth inning).