Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
ARLINGTON, Texas (WBZ NewsRadio) — Not only did the Red Sox rally to win their opening game of the season Thursday, 5-2, on the road against the Texas Rangers.
It was the way they won that held some extra promise.
Good pitching, solid error-free defense, small ball, long ball, basically a well-rounded, fundamentally sound game from the Red Sox.
Something in short supply last season.
Red Sox starter Garrett Crochet gave up both the Ranger's runs.
He went 5 innings striking out 4, walking 2.
After leaving the game, Garrett Whitlock, Aroldis Chapman, and Justin Slaten pitched shutout ball keeping the Rangers from mounting any comeback.
Wilyer Abreau was the offensive star of the game for the Red Sox going 3 for 3 with two home runs including the tie-breaking 3-run blast in the 9th.
Overall, the Red Sox only managed six hits in the game.
Rangers starter, former Red Sox Nathan Eovaldi, struck out nine in six strong innings allowing two runs on just three hits.
Sox rookie Kristian Campbell collected his first hit of his major league career with a hard-hit, tough bounce single off the Ranger's shortstop Josh Jung's glove in the 9th.
Slaten closed out the game for the Sox with a 1-2-3 ninth, striking out one.
Sox, Rangers are back at it Friday night at 8:05 PM.
The Red Sox play their home opener on Friday, April 4 when they welcome the St. Louis Cardinals for a three-game set.