First impressions: Porcello continues strong start

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First Impressions from the Red Sox' 1-0 win over the Braves

 

Rick Porcello continues to give the Red Sox some length

For the fourth straight start, Porcello took the Red Sox into the seventh inning. And, for the fourth straight start, he got the win.

This marked the first time that Porcello did not allow at least one homer; in fact, he didn't allow so much as a run.

 

Robbie Ross Jr's outing was huge

Ross might not have been the first choice to go in the seventh, but with the bullpen exhausted from having to provide almost nine innings of relief the night before in Houston, John Farrell's options were somewhat limited.

Ross faced two hitters and retired them on a force out and a called third strike, helping to bridge the distance between Porcello and set-up man Koji Uehara.

 

Jackie Bradley Jr.'s offense continues to be timely

On Sunday, Bradley singled home the go-ahead run in the 12th inning. On Monday, he homered in the seventh, representing the only run of the game. He has three RBI in the last two nights.

Bradley showed some sock during his infamous hot streak last August, though the homer Monday night was his first of the season.

 

Craig Kimbrel rebounded nicely

After blowing the lead in the bottom of the ninth Sunday night in Houston, Kimbrel didn't have to wait long for a chance to redeem himself.

Kinbrel had to go through the middle of the Braves' lineup and did so with relative ease, retiring the side in order, with two strikeouts.

 

It certainly helps to go up against the Braves' feeble lineup

Atlanta has hit just two homers in the last 18 games, and their best hitter, Freddie Freeman, is slumping so badly that he was hitting sixth.

Add in the pitcher and there are a lot of holes in the Atlanta lineup, which the Red Sox pitching staff took full advantage of.

 

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