Automatic runner Romy Gonzalez scored the go-ahead run when David Hamilton grounded out in the 12th inning, and Tyler O’Neill hit an RBI double as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Miami Marlins 6-5 to complete a sweep of their three-game series.
Gonzalez moved to third base after Ceddanne Rafaela singled against Matt Andriese (0-1), then sprinted home on Hamilton’s ground ball to third. O’Neill followed with a hit to deep center field that brought Rafaela home.
Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta held Miami hitless until the seventh inning when Jesús Sánchez broke up the bid with a two-out triple. Sánchez narrowly missed hitting for the cycle by one hit.
Zack Kelly (3-1) pitched two innings of relief to earn the win. Greg Weissert secured his first major league save by closing the game, allowing only Jonah Bride’s sacrifice fly in the 12th inning.
Boston lost the lead twice during the game but managed to secure their fifth road series sweep of the season.
“We did a good job, they did a good job,” commented Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “Our baserunning today was exceptional. We battled with them and never gave up.”
In the 11th inning, RBI singles from O’Neill and Enmanuel Valdez gave the Red Sox a 4-2 lead. However, Sánchez tied the game again in the bottom half with a two-run homer off the first pitch thrown by Kelly.
“This is a tough sport. Guys get on base,” Pivetta remarked. “Sánchez — he made a good swing on a fastball, and credit to him. But what mattered most today was that we came together as a team and pulled out the win.”
