By Maureen Mullen
CSNNE.comFollow @maureenamullen
BOSTONMike Napolis home run to lead off the ninth inning was the Rangers 10th run in their eventual 11-4 win over the Red Sox. So, Napolis homer, his 23rd of the season, off Michael Bowden, the Sox fourth pitcher of the afternoon, added little more to the game than some wow factor.
And what a wow factor it was.
Napolis home run hit high off the back wall in straightaway center field. Three batters later Ian Kinsler hit a rocket that cleared the left field wall, giving the Rangers their final run. But it was Napolis blast -- one of the hardest hit balls at Fenway in quite some time -- that created a buzz. Its been a while since any batter has reached that area of the park. The home run was estimated at almost 450 feet.
Yeah, its been a while, said Jason Varitek. Frank Thomas has hit it. Vladi Guerrero. Just off the top of my head, not very many.
It got up and just kept going. We had a good view from the bullpen. It got out there. You see a few hit there in BP every once in a while. But havent seen it in a game for a while.
David Ortiz remembered former Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez reaching that part of the park. But, after his team had lost two of three in the series, were outscored 28-16, and went 4-6 in the season series, losing its third straight season to the Rangers, manager Terry Francona had little interest in looking back.
Asked if he remembered any balls hit to that part of the park, Francona replied:
Boston Red Sox
No, fortunately. I dont know, he said. Im not really interested in recounting that now but it was hit well.
But he knows what Napoli can do. Napoli, who entred the game batting .289, went 2-for-3, with two walks, two RBI, and two runs scored on Sunday. In nine games against the Sox this season, five of his nine hits are home runs, while he is hitting .333 (9-for-27), with a slugging percentage of .889, seven runs scored, 13 RBI, seven walks, and nine strikeouts.
He hits pitches, Francona said. Hell miss a pitch and then if you repeat it the next at-bat, neck-high fastball, and he hits it off back wall. Weve seen him do that before. Hes hit balls in our bullpen. We thought we made a pitch on him in Texas and he hit it in the bullpen. Hes a big strong kid. Sometimes he hits them, sometimes he doesnt. But when he does they go a long way.
In the ninth inning on Sunday, it certainly did.
Maureen Mullen is on Twitter at http:twitter.commaureenamullen