Alex Bregman is going on paternity leave. Before he does that, though, he has to make sure he leaves on a strong note. He did just that Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, going 5-of-5 with two home runs, a double, and four RBIs His monster performance led to his first career five-hit game and helped the Boston Red Sox shake off a nasty 16-1 loss the night before.
Bregman’s Big Day At the Plate
As the 1st inning got underway at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay, Rafael Devers delivered a double and eventually scored on Bregman’s first hit of the day, a single to left. In the top of the third, Bregman took a 1-1 hanging slider from Ryan Pepiot and deposited it in the right field short porch, his third home run of the year.
As the Sox were cruising, Bregman stayed hot, doubling to left field, scoring Jarren Duran and extending the lead to 6-1. It was only the 4th inning, and Bregman was already 3-3. It was a solid performance, and the game was only half over.
In the top of the 7th. Bregman blasted a 2-2, 96-mph fastball from Hunter Bigge to deep right-center field. At first, it looked like Rays Center Fielder Kameron Misner caught the ball, soaring high over the fence, but he was unable to keep it in his glove. The umpire crew reviewed the play to make sure there wasn’t any fan interference and ended up confirming the home run call. It was his 2nd of the game and 4th of the year. Searching for his first career five-hit game, including his time in the minors, Bregman laced a single up the middle. Not a bad day at the office for the newest addition to the Sox.
The Red Sox Are Standing Firm
In a tough American League East, the Red Sox are sitting in 3rd place at 9-10. They are two games back of the first-place New York Yankees. If Bregman can continue his hitting display after returning from the paternity list, and Devers continues to make strides following his disastrous start to the season, the Sox will stay in the conversation.
