Steve Pearce is unlikely hero for Red Sox
By Zach Houle
The Boston Red Sox didn’t think they were getting that good of a hitter in Steve Pearce.
Steve Pearce has now played for every team in the American League East. When Boston acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays, everyone (including Boston, probably) thought it was grabbing a modest right-handed hitter with good splits against lefties. The club has gotten much more than that, as Pearce has been one of Boston’s best hitters since the move.
The slugger is hitting .319 with nine home runs and 30 RBIs in 153 at bats. When he was with Toronto, he wasn’t doing much. In Beantown, the right-handed hitter has mashed. It seems like Pearce does something memorable every night for this team. His most recent feat? Four home runs in two games against the New York Yankees.
The irony here is that the Yankees designated Pearce for assignment in 2012. He hits lefties well and has plenty of experience in the AL East, and he has revitalized his stock with Boston. The outfielder has hit .358 against southpaws this season, and hit .318 in July. The Red Sox are the best team in baseball, and that has much to do with supporting acts such as Pearce.
Against the Yankees, he has mashed, with a .346 batting average, four homers and nine RBIs. That, with a little help from the Yankees pitching staff, has helped the Red Sox build up a 7.5 game lead in the AL East standings. Pearce has hit best as a first baseman, with a .396 BA. Pearce has also hit particularly well with runners in scoring position, hitting .471 in 34 at bats.
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Steve Pearce has been one of Boston’s most exciting players recently, and he continues to shine with his new team. This team will be fun to watch the rest of the regular season, and will for sure become one to watch in October.