The Red Sox faced a 2-0 deficit before they even stepped up to the plate on Saturday evening, but it only took one pitch for Romy Gonzalez to change the trajectory of the game.
Gonzalez, who has thrived against lefty starters all season, sent the leadoff pitch in the bottom of the first straight over the Green Monster. It barely caught the top of the wall before bouncing back into play, but still counted as a first-pitch solo shot to bring Boston back within one in a hurry.
Gonzalez’s at-bat gave the Red Sox little time to dwell on the two-run homer Walker Buehler allowed at the top of the frame.