For the first 18 games of the season, McDonald was far from one, allowing his batting average to plunge to .094. But the journeyman finally contributed to the offensive barrage, hitting a bases-clearing double in the sixth.
McDonald was so locked in, he caused a little more damage in the ninth, belting a solo shot to centerfield –– right off Alejandro De Aza's glove –– to finish 2-for-4 with four RBIs to key the Red Sox.
"It's been a rough go the last few weeks," McDonald told reporters after the game. "[I] was trying to simplify things. See the ball and hit the ball."
His struggles could've been attributed to the lack of playing time, considering the logjam at outfield with Ryan Sweeney, Cody Ross, Marlon Byrd and Jason Repko. Heading into Friday's 10-3 game, McDonald had collected just three hits in 30 at-bats.
With two swings, the 33-year-old reminded the Red Sox that he could still contribute off the bench.
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