BOSTON - Travis Shaw remembers the feeling he had when he got his first career hit in his 7th career MLB game.
That allowed him to crack two more hits later in the same game.
So when he watched his first career home run go over the Tampa Bay Rays bullpen in the third inning on Saturday, he admitted that it was a similar feeling of relief.
"Everyone is looking at me to hit home runs, especially with the type of body that I have," Shaw said. "Being able to go out there and do that it takes some weight off your shoulders."
The home run was Shaw's second hit of the game, having doubled the inning prior. But it would not be his last hit of the game. In fact, Shaw homered again in the 8th inning, this time to center field.
All in all, Shaw finished 4-for-4 with two home runs, three RBI, and five runs. The five runs were the most all season by a member of the Red Sox and in fact the most runs scored in a game by a member of the team since Dustin Pedroia on Aug. 12, 2008.
"I felt pretty good at the plate," Shaw said. "It was good to be able to come up here and get another opportunity. Just trying to make the most of my opportunities up here and trying to help the team win any way that I can."
Shaw got the call-up - his fifth of the season - from the Sox last night, but wasn't sure if he was going to be in the lineup upon arriving at Fenway Park Saturday morning. Sure enough, he got the start at third base in place of the injured Pablo Sandoval.
Shaw got it done on the base path and in the field, too. He applied a big tag of Kevin Kiermaier trying to steal third base in the top 6th inning. In the bottom of the inning, he avoided catcher Curt Casali's tag with a great slide into home for the Sox' ninth run of the game.
"Travis looks like he's been here for years the way he swung the bat today, the way he played third base," John Farrell said. "Makes a key tag of a big out in that sixth inning, otherwise we're looking at a tie score when Kiermaier tries to steal third base."
Sandoval took swings in the cage prior to Saturday's game. According to Farrell, the strength and grip is improving but there's still swelling and soreness in the forearm. The Sox wouldn't rush Sandoval back into the lineup, so it appears there's a good chance Shaw could get another start at third base on Sunday. But what about when Sandoval returns? Has Shaw done enough to earn an extended stay this time around? He also plays first base and has played a little outfield, too.
"It's sort of out of my control," Shaw said. "I try and control what I can control. Each day that I am in the lineup up here try and make the most of and hopefully that speaks for itself."