BATTER OF THE GAME: Travis Shaw
Travis Shaw was called up to the Sox for the fifth time this season, and this was the call-up that he'll make a name for himself. Shaw started at third base for the injured Pablo Sandoval and went 4-for-4, with two home runs, three RBI and five runs scored. Good stat by ProJo's Tim Britton - Shaw is the only Red Sox player to score at least four runs in one game this season. Better stat: His five runs are the most for a Red Sox player since Dustin Pedroia on Aug 12, 2008. I like Shaw and think he deserves a shot up here, but as long as Mike Napoli and Pablo Sandoval are on the team, his opportunities are going to be few and far between. That said, Napoli could very well be traded in August.
STARTERS REPORT: Joe Kelly had another below average outing on the mound for Boston, and this has to make you wonder if John Farrell can justify putting him out there for his next scheduled start. In three outings since he's been called up, Kelly has allowed 13 earned runs. On Saturday, he was given a 6-0 lead and allowed the Rays to get it to 6-5. He lasted 5.0 innings and allowed the five runs on nine hits and walk with six strikeouts. As we've said in the past with Kelly, the stuff is there, but the execution isn't.
As bad as Joe Kelly was, Matt Moore was much worse. Moore got knocked around from the very beginning. Even the outs were hard hits. Moore lasted just 3.0 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits and a walk.
BIG PLAY: Technically this is two separate plays. First, the buildup: The Sox went into the sixth inning up 7-4 on the Rays, and elected to stick Joe Kelly back on the mound. It wasn't a good idea. Kelly allowed a leadoff double and then an RBI single before he was relieved by Justin Masterson, who then threw a wild pitch to put a runner on second base, struck out a batter, and walked the next one. With two on and one out, the Rays had a legit chance at taking the lead.
Play 1: The runner on second base, Kevin Kiermaier tried to steal third base, but Ryan Hanigan threw him out for the inning's second out. The batter, Brandon Guyer, then doubled to center, which scored the runner from first base.
Play 2: With Guyer on second base, Evan Longoria stepped to the plate. One swing of the bat could have easily tied the game up. Masterson, instead, struck out Longoria to end the inning with the Sox holding on by a run. That brings up . . .
WHAT I LIKED: Rusney Castillo. Castillo is now getting everyday playing time with Shane Victorino traded to the Angels, and for the second time in three games, Castillo has been a big source of offense. With the Sox clinging to a 7-6 lead in the sixth, Castillo came up huge with a two-run single to right field. He finished 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run. He also stole a base. It will be fun to watch him play over the next two months if he can get into a little groove and show why the Sox spent $72 million on him.
Boston Red Sox
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It has to be Joe Kelly's outing. Every time he steps out on the mound you're looking for big signs of improvement - and they just don't seem to be there. The Sox have three off days over the next 11 days, and two pitchers down in Pawtucket waiting for the call-up in Brian Johnson and Henry Owens. Farrell has plenty of opportunities to switch things up here. It may be time to go in another direction.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Red Sox will go for the sweep (you don't hear that often this season) of the Rays tomorrow afternoon when Wade Miley takes on Jake Odorizzi at 1:35.