The Boston Red Sox’s 14-run offensive explosion on Tuesday came at the perfect time. The team had lost three straight games and had the bottom of the rotation lined up for the next two games. The Red Sox beat the Astros, 14-1.
At the center of the offense was Roman Anthony. Anthony walked four times, homered once and scored four runs. It was Anthony’s fourth home run of the season and second in two days.
Anthony homered on the eighth pitch of his at-bat off a four-seam fastball at eye-level. It wasn’t a cheap shot, either. The ball traveled 428 feet to straightaway center field. According to Baseball Savant, the ball would have been a home run everywhere but Fenway Park. Fortunately, the Red Sox were on the road.
The rookie now has 21 extra-base hits and 32 walks in 52 career games. According to the NESN postgame show, he’s the only player in Red Sox history to have at least 20 extra-base hits and 25 walks in their first 52 games besides Ted Williams.
That wasn’t the only feat Anthony accomplished. His home run on Tuesday was his first time hitting home runs in back-to-back games.
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According to Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, the only Red Sox players 21 years or younger to homer in back-to-back games are Williams, Rafael Devers and Tony Conigliaro.
While the “youngest player to accomplish x” accolades will fade away eventually, Anthony will be mentioned in the same breath as all-time greats for years to come.
Walker Buehler takes the mound tomorrow as the Red Sox try to take the series against the Astros.
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