Wade Miley Throws First Major League Complete Game, Ortiz Moves Closer To 500

Early Saturday evening, Red Sox pitcher Wade Miley finished his first complete game in his Major League career as the Red Sox beat the Philles by a score of 9-2. He needed only 110 pitches to earn his 11th win on the season, allowing only 2 runs in his full nine innings. He did not allow a walk, and recorded 8 strikeouts, five of which were in the first three innings.

He was helped by a strong Red Sox offense, with 8 runs scored in the fourth inning. David Ortiz started off the inning with a single, and scored the first run for the Red Sox off a grounder up the middle from Blake Swihart. The Sox scored two more runs before the Phillies got the second out, but that was just the beginning for the Red Sox offense.

With the bases loaded, Xander Bogaerts hit a line-drive to the warning track in deep right field. Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr fielded the ball and threw to Cesar Hernandez, but Hernandez’ throw to home was to the right, and bounced off catcher Carlos Ruiz’ glove, rolling to the backstop. 

Phillies pitcher Alec Asher recovered the ball and tossed it to Ruiz at the plate, but Bogaerts dove head first around the tag and scored the seventh run of the game, and what was essentially the last run of an inside-the-park Grand Slam, though it was scored a three run double with an error.

After Bogaerts’ “little-league grand slam”, designated hitter David Ortiz returned to bat for the second time that inning, and snuck his 496th homer of his career just by the Pesky Pole. It was also the marker of his 9th Red Sox season with 30 or more home runs, breaking Ted Williams’ 8 season franchise record.