Friday, September 25, 2015

Double 'Triple-Double' (& Mookie Catch) Propel Sox, 7-0

(Getty Images)
It's not often you see a triple double outside of the NBA—let alone a double triple-double. The fans at Fenway tonight saw: 1.) the third straight double-digit strikeout game by Rich Hill and 2.) three doubles by David Ortiz. Double Triple-Double. Perhaps the most memorable (and enjoyable) game of 2015 ended with a spectacular leaping catch by Mookie Betts in right—robbing Chris Davis of a 2-run HR in the 7-0 win. On top of that, it preserved the complete game, two-hit shutout by Hill. The 35-year old Milton, Mass. native struck out 10 and gave up 2 singles—one in the first and one in the ninth. Hill's astounding comeback (he was pitching batting practice to a Legion ball team a few months ago) has to beg the question of whether he should be considered as a legitimate starter possibility for 2016. Hill's ERA as a starter for Boston this year is an amazing 1.17—delivered mostly by a mesmerizing curveball that makes his mediocre fastball look like Nolan Ryan's. Big offensive contributors tonight were: Xander Bogaerts (3-4, RBI); Ortiz (3-4, 3 RBIs); and Brock Holt (2-3, 2 RBIs). All in all, a fun win over a recently hot (and still playoff-contending) Orioles team.