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In second Red Sox start, Sonny Gray takes big step forward
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- In second Red Sox start, Sonny Gray takes big step forward
BOSTON — Sonny Gray ’s debut was full of disappointment.
To begin with, the Red Sox lost, even if the game wasn’t decided until long after Gray had left. But Gray beat himself up for putting his team in an early hole, and was further vexed when he couldn’t apply a tag near the plate, leading to a run for the Cincinnati Reds.
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It was definitely not how he had envisioned his Red Sox career unfolding.
“I didn’t feel great after the last start,” admitted Gray. “Physically I did, but I felt like I put the team in position to fail early in that game. I didn’t really give us a chance.”
Fortunately for Gray — and the Red Sox, too — the sequel was far better. Gray gave the Red Sox six strong innings, allowing just two runs and putting them in position to claim the win in a 5-2 victory over the San Diego Padres in the Red Sox’ home opener.
“The first time through,” said Alex Cora, “it didn’t look good. Today, he was really good. Really good. That’s what we expect — go out there, pitch, play decent defense and (get) some timely hitting. We’re going to find ways to score runs, but I think everything starts with pitching. That’s who we’re going to be."
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In truth, Gray could have easily finished with six scoreless innings. He held the Padres off the scoreboard for the first four innings. But with one out in the fifth, Miguel Andujar hit a routine fly ball to center that Ceddanne Rafaela lost in the sun, playing it into a gift triple.
A run-scoring single by Gavin Sheets and a wall double by Luis Campusano followed, erasing what had been a 2-0 Red Sox’ lead. But Gray righted things by getting out of that inning and finished strong with a 1-2-3 sixth.
When the Sox exploded for three runs in the bottom of the sixth, Gray was still the pitcher of record and got credit for the win.
“It’s a team effort, but I do think it’s a starting pitcher’s job to come out, attack, put zeros on the board and give your team a chance,” said Gray. “I located and pitched today, rather than in Cincinnati, where I just threw the ball forward.”
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Even Garrett Crochet, the unofficial ace of the staff, wasn’t able to serve as the stopper Wednesday in Houston . Instead, Gray welcomed the challenge to be the one who put an end to a losing streak.
“Garrett’s our leader, he’s our ace. He’s our guy that we depend on,” said Gray. “But there’s some other guys on this staff this year that can get the job done, that guys can lean on — pick each other up. That’s all it’s about.
“Garrett’s our anchor. But now it was my job to pick him up, and pick our team up. I think everyone in our locker room had a big part in that today.”
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