Boston Red Sox catcher Adley Rutschman liked what he saw from his team’s offense Monday night.
Rutschman undoubtedly hopes to see similar production when the Red Sox face the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday in the second contest of a three-game series.
Boston collected 16 hits during Monday’s 11-1 victory over Arizona, including seven doubles and two home runs. Everyone in the starting lineup for the Red Sox had at least one RBI, and the team went 6-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
“That’s what this team is capable of,” Rutschman told NESN after the game. “Every guy stepping up. It’s a big thing that (Boston interim manager Chad Tracy) said when we were on that huge win streak. Everyone stepping up huge every night (and) it’s a different guy every night.
“Just seeing everyone do their thing was awesome. It was a fun game to be a part of. First game at Fenway (since he was traded from Baltimore). Can’t ask for a whole lot more.”
Rutschman is 3-for-23 since joining the Red Sox, but two of those hits came during Monday’s win.
“It’s tough,” he said. “You gotta stay with the process. It’s nice to put some good swings on balls and get rewarded.”
Arizona played without second baseman Ketel Marte, who was placed on the restricted list Monday after reportedly not showing up at Fenway Park. Following the game, Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said he wasn’t sure if Marte will be with the team Tuesday.
“He didn’t show up (Monday) and he was put on the restricted list,” Lovullo said. “That’s as much as I know right now. I’m sure in time we’ll start to uncover and unravel some information. I knew there was something going on (Monday) when I met with (the media), but I still believed he was going to be here. He just didn’t show up.
“I was doing my best to reach out to him and there was very little coming back … We’re going to figure out a way to work through this.”
Lovullo also said it was the first time Marte hasn’t shown up – or hasn’t shown up on time – this season.
“The players are gritty,” he said. “They rally around one another. I know there was a lot of discussions about it at different points in time in the clubhouse today. There was a lot of curiosity. We care for Ketel. Once we knew he was OK I think everybody started to relax and focus on the game.”
Boston’s Willson Contreras belted his career-high 25th home run of the season Monday.
Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly (8-10, 4.44 ERA) will attempt to quiet the Boston bats Tuesday. He’s 2-1 with a 2.66 ERA in three career starts against the Red Sox.
Left-hander Ranger Suarez (4-3, 3.25 ERA) is scheduled to start for Boston. He has a 1-4 record and a 6.91 ERA in 11 career appearances (eight starts) against Arizona.
–Field Level Media
