The lights went out for one misguided fan thanks to a perfect form tackle by a Fenway Park security guard. The price paid for running on the field Wednesday was probably some sore ribs and definitely a bail of $500.
For everybody else with a rooting interest in the Red Sox, the bulbs burned brightly.
For a literal example of the flash of light during what would be the Sox' 7-1 win over the hapless Tigers, there was the seventh inning. That's when the Fenway crowd spontaneously held up a sea of lights with Detroit's Nick Castellanos at-bat.
They are currently checking the CBA to get a ruling on flashlights in the stands pic.twitter.com/JIhoWmiKkG
— Rob Bradford (@bradfo) June 7, 2018"Basketball games and volleyball games back home. I mean, that's pretty good," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora when asked if he had ever witnessed such a display. "That's a good weapon. Smart fans."
Detroit manager Ron Gardenhire complained to the umpires, who asked the Red Sox if there was anything they could do to extinguish the lights. The visitors finally got their way thanks to the urging of the very busy Fenway security force.
The Tigers, however, were helpless when it came to some key Red Sox who decided it was their time to shine.
For one, starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez has become a stalwart in the team's rotation, this time allowing just one run over 5 2/3 innings, claiming his fourth straight win. It was Rodriguez's fourth start of the season in which he has allowed zero or one run.
"He was fresh," Cora said. "You could see the fastball, it was jumping out of his hand tonight, 94, 95, good changeup, and there were certain hitters, we felt, he should have put them away, 0-2, 1-2, he didn't. But overall, another good start. He gave us a chance to win the game. Like I said before the game, the stuff is there. Now, I get why everybody was excited about this guy."
"I've been feeling good," said Rodriguez, who has helped the Red Sox go 11-1 in his starts this season. "I've been trying to do the best I can. My mentality right now is just thinking about to get more deep into games. Because as a starter you want to get more deep into a game than just 5 2/3 all the time."
Then there is Christian Vazquez.
The catcher continued to swing a hot bat since getting a few days off in Houston, this time going 3-for-4 with a home run.
"He worked hard in Houston," Cora said. "He showed up early, him an Timmy (Hyers) and now with the toe, it seems like he's on time every time. He's able to see the ball. Right away, he saw the results of the adjustment against (Justin) Verlander that first at-bat and obviously he goes deep, which is always good because you work hard and you get zero results and you can go back to what you think you were doing right."
And finally, there has been the revelation that is Andrew Benintendi.
The outfielder claimed his 10th homer of the season, helping him claim the best OPS (1.250) in the majors since May 15. He has 18 hits in his last 11 games (.391) and is 24 for his last 57 (.421) at Fenway Park. Benintendi joins Mike Trout, Mookie Betts and Tim Anderson and the only MLB hitters with 10 or more homers and 10 or more stolen bases this season.
"His swing is a great swing," Cora said. "The barrel stays through the zone for a long time and he's disciplined enough. Actually, we were just talking that last at-bat, it was a breaking ball that he was looking for, it was down in the zone, he didn't stay through it. but besides that, he's been amazing. He's done an outstanding job for us and we've seen him trying to go the other way against lefties and overall, he's had a great start. Disciplined, swinging at strikes, doing damage, he's a good hitter."
- Are just the third team since the 116-win 2001 Mariners to have won 43 of their first 62. The other two won the World Series (Cubs in 2016, Houston in 2017).
- The Red Sox lead the majors with a .733 winning percentage at home (22-8), having won 11 of their last 13 home games and each of their last five.
- The Sox have clinched their 15th series win in 20 series this season and are 5-0-1 in their last six series.
- To make room for Thursday night's starter Jalen Beeks the Red Sox optioned down reliever Bobby Poyner, who pitched the ninth inning for the hosts.
