During a two-city tour in which the COVID-19 decimated its roster, the Red Sox exhibited significant guts by splitting their series against the Rays punters with a 4-0 victory Thursday at Tropicana Field.
Venezuelan Eduardo Rodriguez dominated Tampa Bay for 6.0 innings for Boston to win the last at St. Louis. Petersburg.
Although a 4-3 record tour is usually no cause for joy for a contender, this time the Reds should be very happy.
Eight players — 4 positioners — four reliever pitchers — were placed on COVID-19’s injured roster in the first six days of the Red Sox ’run through Cleveland and St. Louis. Petersburg.
But on Thursday, there was no positive test and Boston, with a 2.0 game lead over the Athletics for the second wildcard in the American League, left for New England in a very positive way.
Rodriguez won the first game of the tour and the last.
“For the first time in the entire season, I felt completely like me with my location,” Rodriguez said. “The straight cut, the change, the curve, the four-seam straight. For the first time, I felt good about everything. That’s how I want to feel the rest of the season, especially when you’re trying to sneak into the playoffs. .
“I feel it was my best opening of the campaign,” Rodriguez continued. “That’s how I feel, in terms of speed, control and body. Everything.”