Roman Anthony’s second MLB game went better than his first. And it helped lead the Red Sox to a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.
Anthony went 0-for-4 with an RBI and an error in his MLB debut on Monday, just hours after the Red Sox called up the No. 1 prospect in baseball. The Red Sox lost to the Rays 10-8.
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On Tuesday, Anthony got to work in his first at-bat. With runners on second and third in the bottom of the first inning, he faced an outside changeup from Rays starter Ryan Pepiot on a 1-2 count.
Anthony swung and sent a line drive down the left-field line that rolled to the outfield wall.
Two runs scored, and Anthony reached second for a go-ahead double on his first MLB hit. Not a bad way to start the career highlight reel.
The runs off of Anthony’s bat turned out to be all the Red Sox needed to secure the 3-1 win. Anthony finished 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBI and a strikeout.
Can Anthony help Sox compete in AL East?
A Red Sox team sitting near the bottom of the AL East standings (32-36 before Tuesday’s game) and in need of an offensive injection called Anthony up from Triple-A Worcester following an injury to right fielder Wilyer Abreu. A 21-year-old outfielder, Anthony is filling in for Abreu in right and batting fifth in the Red Sox’s lineup.
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Just two nights prior to his call-up, Anthony showed off part of what makes him such a tantalizing prospect with a 497-foot grand slam for Worcester that was longer than any MLB home run this season.
The Red Sox are certainly hoping he can build off Tuesday’s breakthrough and provide a boost in the AL playoff race.
