It was nine months ago that Xander Bogaerts first faced Tampa Bay starter Jacob Faria.
He looked at the first two pitches. He fouled off the third. And the fourth one ruined his 2017 season.
Bogaerts was otherwise 0-for-3 against the man whose fastball injured his right hand last July 6, but got more than a measure of revenge in the Red Sox’ 10-3 win over the Rays on Saturday afternoon — the team’s seventh straight win after squandering a lead in the season opener.
His first time up, Bogaerts roped a hanging changeup for a two-run double, his seventh double in just eight games.