All it took was one big swing by Mike Carp and that helped the Boston Red Sox extend their huge lead in the AL East. Carp was sent in as the pinch-hitter and connected the 10th inning and the Tampa Rays was thrashed by the Red Sox. They lost 3-7 last Wednesday night.
Red Sox’s designated hitter, David Oritz believed that it almost seemed too good to be true. “That guy is a very good hitter. He is going to get a plenty of at-bats. In fact, he reminds me of myself when I started. He has such a good swing, I must say that”, said Oritz.
Currently, Boston has a 9 1/2- game advantage over Tampa Bay in the race for the division. In fact, this is Boston’s season high lead. Tampa Bay, currently in second place cannot be under estimated.
Carp sent a huge driver over the fence on the first pitch by Roberto Hernandez. Incidentally, it was the first pinch-hit grand slam for Boston, since Kevil Millar hit a huge one at Milwaukee on the 7th of June, 2003.
“I think he hung a slider and I believe that I did a lot more than I expected to do with it”, said Carp. Presently, Carp is 5 for 17 with two homers and nine RBIs as a pinch hitter this year.
Carp is 5 for 17 with two homers and nine RBIs as a pinch hitter this year. Boston has seven pinch-hit homers overall on the season.
“Mike has been the most efficient in that particular role. He has sat there for nearly four hours and to swing at the first pitch one sees for a grand slam, I believe that is simply remarkable”, said Red Sox manager John Farrell. Red Sox’s starter Ryan Dempster felt that it was an awesome play and a brilliant game.