TAMPA — Instant reactions from the Red Sox‘ 1-0 win over the Rays on Wednesday here at George M. Steinbrenner Field:
1) David Hamilton entered 1-for-21 (.048 batting average) this season. But he put the Red Sox ahead 1-0 with a 335-foot home run to right field to lead off the third inning. The line drive homer — which had a 105.8 mph exit velocity and 20 degree launch angle — would have been a home run in no other major league park, per Statcast.
2) Greg Weissert did a fantastic job in relief. Weissert took over for starter Sean Newcomb with two outs and two men on base in the fifth inning. He struck out Yandy Díaz swinging to preserve a 1-0 lead. Weissert then struck out two more batters (Junior Caminero swinging and Christopher Morel looking) during a perfect sixth inning.
Weissert has allowed two runs in 8 ⅔ innings (2.08 ERA) this season after not allowing an earned run in his final 16 ⅔ innings last year.
3) Garrett Whitlock was as nasty as Weissert. He retired six of the seven batters he faced for a scoreless seventh and eighth inning. He allowed one single and struck out four (three swinging, including two foul tips).
4) The Red Sox identified arm strength as the part of catcher Carlos Narváez’s defensive game that they needed to focus on during spring training. Boston even got the pitching department involved. Narváez threw out his second base stealer of the season when he caught Christopher Morel trying to steal second base to end the fourth inning.
5) Lefty starter Sean Newcomb pitched 4 ⅔ scoreless innings, scattering four hits and two walks while striking out four. It was his first outing since June 10, 2019 that he pitched at least 4 ⅔ scoreless innings without allowing a run.
6) Closer Aroldis Chapman did not pitch the ninth inning after pitching three of the past four days. Justin Slaten earned the save with a perfect inning.
7) The Red Sox will have an off day Thursday. They then begin a four-game series against the Mariners on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. The Red Sox have not yet named their starter. “There’s a chance” prospect Hunter Dobbins will be promoted from Triple-A Worcester to make a spot start.
