Boston Red Sox' Masataka Yoshida Accomplishes Something Not Done By Team in More Than 80 Years
The Boston Red Sox beat the Oakland Athletics, 4-3, on Sunday to finish off a three-game sweep. With the victory, the Red Sox have won eight of their last ten games to move to 48-43 overall. They are now just 2.0 games back in the American League wild card chase as well.
Huge in the victory on Sunday was Red Sox rookie Masataka Yoshida, who hit the go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning. He also made some history that hasn't been done in more than 80 years for the team.
Per ESPN Stats & Info:
Masataka Yoshida is the first Red Sox rookie with 7 consecutive multi-hit games since Johnny Pesky in 1942. (h/t @EliasSports)
Yoshida has been everything the Red Sox could have wanted when they signed him this offseason to a five-year deal. While some scouts didn't think he'd be able to cut it in the majors, he's excelled, hitting .316 with 10 homers, 44 RBI and six stolen bases. He's certainly in the conversation for American League Rookie of the Year at this juncture.
The 29-year-old has also helped the offense overcome injuries to Trevor Story and Adam Duvall, as well as underperformances from Enrique Hernandez, Christian Arroyo and Triston Casas - to a degree.
The Red Sox will open up the second half of the season on Friday, July 14 when they travel to Chicago for a series with the Cubs. Game one of that series will begin at 8:05 p.m. ET.
Follow Fastball on FanNation in social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also subscribe to "The Payoff Pitch" podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
