Red Sox's offense arrives in droves

BOSTON -- For the Red Sox, the ability to finally breathe easy in the late stages of a game was every bit as enjoyable as the steady stream of clutch hits and relentless at-bats that led to Wednesday night’s 11-4 romp over the Tigers.

At last, the defending World Series champions could smile a little in the late stages of a game.

This is because the offense was at full throttle, which had been a rarity in recent weeks.

The margin of victory was easily the largest all season for the 10-15 Sox, who moved to six games behind the Rays in the American League East. Prior to this one, a 4-0 win over the Orioles on April 14 was the only win Boston had by more than three runs.

“For us to do that tonight I think is a good sign,” said star slugger J.D. Martinez, who aided the cause with three hits.

It couldn’t have come at a better time. Things had been getting a little stressful for a team that won a franchise-record 108 games last year, only to have everything feel like a struggle early in 2019.

“Yeah, definitely,” said Martinez. “We were kind of talking about it, joking about it today in the [indoor] cage. We were like, ‘This is the first night we’ve actually had it like this. Last year, it felt like we had a lot like these.’ This is the first one. It’s good.”

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A seven-spot in the bottom of the eighth put the game out of reach -- which was a sweet feeling a day after getting swept by these same Tigers in a day-night doubleheader.

Manager Alex Cora had seen signs in recent days. But it felt a lot better to actually see full-fledged results.

“It feels great. Like I said earlier today, the line is moving, it’s been moving since Tampa Bay [last weekend] offensively,” Cora said. “We’ve been walking more, we’ve been controlling the zone, it’s just a matter of getting that big hit. Today, you know, we grinded.”

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All nine Boston starters reached base. The Sox notched a season high in runs and walks (10) while tying a season high in hits (12).

"Yeah. I mean, like I said, we know what we're capable of,” said right fielder Mookie Betts, last year’s MVP in the AL. “It's just a matter of doing it. Maybe the first time we've done it this year. But hopefully the first of many."

It was no coincidence that the outburst happened on a night Betts scored twice and had two hits, including a double that came a couple of feet from clearing the Monster. Betts is the engine for the Red Sox.

Andrew Benintendi (RBI double) and Martinez, the other key cogs in the upper portion of the batting order, also made important contributions.

“Last year, it seemed like we never got all three of them hot at the same time,” said Cora. “It seemed like it was only two at a time. So it’s cool to see the three swinging that well and we’ll see where it takes us.”

But it isn’t just the top. No. 8 hitter Jackie Bradley Jr. had struggled more than anyone coming into Wednesday’s game. But the center fielder stroked two hits and had two RBIs. He also hit a bullet to center that was flagged down in front of the wall by Tigers center fielder JaCoby Jones.

As anyone who watched last year’s AL Championship Series can tell you, the Red Sox are tough to stop when Bradley is hitting.

“We’re continuing to make adjustments and we keep trying to push runs across the plate,” said Bradley. “We’ll get better at it.”

And for the first time in a while, there was tangible proof that the offense is ready to start ticking again.