Rafael Devers was unable to purchase a hit through the first five games of the season. The Boston Red Sox slugger was 0-for-21 with a startling 15 strikeouts, causing alarm among fans and irritation throughout the lineup. But on Wednesday night at Camden Yards, Devers finally delivered, and the weight of the world seemed to shift.
Devers went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and a single in Boston’s 3-0 victory over the Orioles, giving relief and productivity at a critical moment. The double came in the fifth inning against Orioles starter Zach Eflin, a 109.5 mph liner to right field that scored Ceddanne Rafaela and increased Boston’s advantage to 3-0. The Red Sox supporters gave Devers a standing ovation.
“I enjoy it a lot,” Devers said through interpreter Carlos Villoria-BenÃtez. “It makes me happy, seeing that reaction, because that makes me see that they’re paying attention to my at-bat and they’re supporting me.”
Devers added a single in the seventh inning and did not strike out once, a notable change after striking out three or more times in four of the team’s previous six games. While Devers said he was unconcerned about the rut, manager Alex Cora conceded the breakthrough was greatly needed—for everyone.
Rafael Devers gets his first hit in Red Sox win over Orioles
“We all needed that one,” Cora stated. “The at-bats are improving. He took a walk twice the other day. He took several decent swings, received a breaking ball in the zone, made a good swing, and then hit the line drive we’d been hoping for for five days. “He did an excellent job.”
Devers’ difficulties at the bat were highlighted not just by the outcomes, but also by the circumstances. Devers, who was recovering from a shoulder surgery that terminated his 2024 season, expressed unhappiness with his position change after being shifted from third base due to the offseason signing of Gold Glove winner Alex Bregman. Despite his early troubles and Bregman’s defensive usefulness, the Red Sox stayed with the switch, and Devers has subsequently accepted his new role as designated hitter.
Left-hander Garrett Crochet, who recently signed a six-year, $170 million contract extension, helped ignite Boston’s triumph. The 25-year-old was brilliant in his second Red Sox start, pitching eight scoreless innings, striking out eight, and allowing only four hits.
“I felt really good,” Crochet remarked. “I was simply in control. Let’s throw some pitches in the zone and try to reduce as many walks as possible.”
Aroldis Chapman closed out the ninth for his first save, giving the Red Sox their second win of the season and snapping a brief slide.
“I never pushed myself or anything like that,” Devers stated. “I knew it would come. “It was more for other people than for myself.”
Now that the elusive first — and second — hits are in the books, Devers and the Red Sox can finally turn the page and look forward to better days.
