Opening Day Recap: Red Sox ride home runs in win over Phillies

The Red Sox took it to Phillies starter Cole Hamels on the way to a five home run night, and an 8-0 win.

For all the talk about how the Boston Red Sox wanted to land Cole Hamels in a blockbuster trade, they showed the Philadelphia Phillies starter no love on Opening Day. The Red Sox hitters battered Hamels for four home runs on their way to an 8-0 win over Philadelphia.

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The Red Sox were rumored to be chasing Hamels all winter long, with the left-hander being the team’s primary trade target on the pitching market. However, the talks stalled when Boston was unwilling to include one of top prospects Mookie Betts or Blake Swihart.

In terms of Betts, that looked like a smart idea, as the Red Sox center fielder and lead-off hitter went 2 for 4 on the day, including a solo shot off of Hamels in the third inning. Dustin Pedroia got Boston on the board with the first of his two home runs in the first inning, and Hanley Ramirez contributed a pair of dingers himself, including a grand slam in the ninth.

The game’s other starting pitcher, Clay Buchholz had a much better outing. With the Red Sox needing an ace, Buchholz  came up with all the cards, tossing 7 innings of 3-hit ball, walking one and striking out 9 on the afternoon. Junichi Tazawa and Tommy Layne closed the door on the shut-out by limiting the Phillies to 1 walk over the final two innings.

Game Notes:

• Buchholz was about as efficient as you could ask for. He needed just 94 pitches (65 strikes) over his seven innings of work. He K’d Chase Utley, Odubel Herrera, and Cody Asche twice each, but most impressive was the one free pass.
• Betts continued his hot hotting from Spring Training, going 2 for 4 with a walk, a pair of runs scored, and the aforementioned home run. He’ll give the Red Sox the lead-off hitter the team has missed since losing Jacoby Ellsbury to free agency prior to the 2014 season.
• What a return to Boston for Hanley Ramirez. Two home runs, including this grand slam

Grades:

Next: Dustin Pedroia blasts Cole Hamels pitch in 1st Inning

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