The Red Sox catcher showcased his prowess with two powerful home runs in a commanding win. Wednesday night saw the Red Sox dominate the Guardians with stellar performances from Cooper Criswell and Connor Wong, solidifying their season series lead to 4-2 in a picturesque setting by Lake Erie.
The game kicked off with a stroke of luck in the top of the first inning, as the unstoppable Wilyer Abreu drove in Rafael Devers, setting the tone for the Sox’s offensive onslaught.
Wilyer Abreu now has an RBI in each of his last six games and has 3+ hits in three of his last five games
He was batting just .176 a week ago, now he’s up to .316#DirtyWaterpic.twitter.com/JrqZtVFlca
— RotoBaller MLB (@RotoBallerMLB) April 24, 2024
Absolutely! Here’s a unique rendition:
And there it is, just what we’ve been anticipating. Also on the agenda: Criswell efficiently retired the side, not allowing any runs in the opening inning.
Moving to the bottom of the second, Wong showcased his prowess with another impressive homer, marking his second consecutive Wednesday with a long ball, thereby extending the lead to 2-0:
Connor Wong – Boston Red Sox (4) pic.twitter.com/9TsVopJ4E8
— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 24, 2024
That’s exactly the topic of our conversation. Also, on the same note, Criswell showcased his prowess by retiring the side in not just the second inning but also in the third and the fourth innings.
However, in the top of the fifth inning, a moment of frustration with the stagnant score, Devers surprised everyone by hitting an opposite-field home run, affectionately dubbed as an “oppo taco,” to give his team a 3-0 lead.
THAT’S THE RAFAEL DEVERS WE ALL MISSED! 😭 pic.twitter.com/4mO4xIJIgb
— Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 24, 2024
That’s exactly what we were discussing. Moreover, in the context of our conversation, Criswell impressively retired the side in the fifth inning.
Transitioning into the sixth inning, the momentum shifted as the Sox began to assert dominance. It all began with Wong’s powerful swing, sending the ball deep into the stands for another remarkable home run.
HOOOOOLY SHIT IT’S A CONNOR WONG DOUBLE DONG GONG
pic.twitter.com/9KPomCmIAy— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 24, 2024
In an exhilarating turn of events, Ceddanne Rafaela stepped up to the plate and drove Devers home with a solid hit, setting the stage for Jarren Duran’s impressive ground-rule double to extend the lead to 6-0 for the Sox in the sixth inning. As the excitement mounted, Joely Rodriguez took over for Criswell, managing to shut down the opposing team without conceding any runs.
Rodriguez continued his stellar performance into the seventh inning, maintaining the Sox’s dominant lead. Despite a tense eighth inning, where the Sox failed to score, Zack Kelly ensured a similar outcome, preserving the 6-0 scoreline as the game headed into the ninth inning.
