Against the Orioles, Nationals, Marlins and Cubs, the Red Sox either squeaked out victories –– thanks in part to impressing pitching –– or were flummoxed by opposing hurlers in tight losses.
But after barely a peep three weeks into June, the Red Sox exploded in Wednesday’s 15-5 victory over the Marlins at Fenway. Buoyed by 16 hits and a season-high 15 runs, Boston’s offense knocked around Miami starter Ricky Nolasco.
When the dust settled, Mike Aviles, David Ortiz, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Will Middlebrooks each punished the Marlins’ pitching staff with long balls. The power surge seemingly unleashed three weeks worth of hitting frustrations.
“The weather warmed up a little, guys felt loose,” Red Sox skipper Bobby Valentine said. “Mike’s first home run, giving us three runs there was huge –– David’s grand slam of course. Salty’s was the furthest, Middlebrooks’ was pretty impressive.”
Prior to Wednesday’s lopsided victory, Ortiz was single-handedly carrying the Red Sox offense in June, unloading five home runs until that point. And he continued his scorching streak, launching a grand slam into the right field seats in the fourth.
It marked the slugger’s third straight game with a blast and the 11th grand slam of his career. With the homer, Ortiz posted the 396th home run of his career, inching closer and closer to the elusive No. 400 plateau.
“I’m just taking what they give me,” Ortiz said. “I’m trying not to waste that pitch that I see. I’m going to sit down and watch the game, see how they pitch me. I don’t get that many opportunities over the plate, so I’m just trying to be patient on that one pitch they give me to hit.”
Aviles spearheaded the barrage by snapping his homerless drought and driving a three-run shot –– his first homer in exactly one month –– over the Green Monster. Saltalamacchia later crushed a solo shot deep into the center field stands.
The contagious hitting spread over to the bench. After sitting for the first seven innings of the game, Middlebrooks replaced Kevin Youkilis and clubbed a two-run round-tripper, his first since May 30, in the eighth inning.
“The ball’s flying,” Saltalamacchia said. “When it’s hot like that, the ball starts to fly a little bit. We were patient with them, made ’em throw pitches and didn’t miss the ones that were over the plate. But we’re definitely capable of being able to do that.”
Three weeks into June, there was doubt about that potential. But the Red Sox silenced them temporarily with an explosion.
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